Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Official--D.J. Harper has been granted a sixth year

One of my favorite Broncos--D.J. Harper got good news today from the NCAA.  They granted him a sixth year of eligibility.  So the "Texas Tornado" will be back on the Blue this fall!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Three More Commitments for Boise State


The news about roster changes pretty much indicated there was more room in the bag prior to LOI Day this Wednesday.  


Sure enough, Boise State has received three more commitments to their 2012 Recruiting Class:  massive guard Mario Yakoo (6-4, 320) from Steele Canyon High School in Spring Valley, California, 6-2, 230-pound defensive end Sam McCaskill right from under the Ducks from Henry D. Sheldon High School in Eugene, Oregon and 6-4.5, 235-pound defensive end Darien Barrett from Inglewood High School have both given their verbals to Boise State coaches today.


Much more on these three newest Broncos soon.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Tickets for LOI Day at Boise State

Tickets went on sale at 5 p.m. this evening for LOI Day at the Boise State Stueckle Sky Center. 

The annual celebration is set for Wednesday, February 1 from 5-7 p.m. at the sixth floor of the Sky Center.  Tickets are $50 per person and you can get them at Idahotickets.com.  You can also call the Boise State ticket office at 426-4737 or stop by the Varsity Center on the west side of Bronco Stadium.  Ticket office hours are 9-5:30 Monday through Thursday and 9-4:30 on Friday.

You'll be able to meet Boise State's new assistant coaches, Jonathan Smith and Jimmy Lake as well as mingle with the other coaches.  Tickets include a full dinner buffet, a no host bar and free parking in the west parking lot.  The doors open at 4 p.m.  February 1.  Exclusive video highlights of each member of the 2012 Boise State recruiting class will be shown and the Bronco coaches will comment on each.

Fans attending the celebration can also use their ticket to attend the Boise State women's basketball game that evening.  The Bronco women host San Diego State at Taco Bell Arena beginning at 7:00 pm (MT).

Boise State Leads Senior Bowl With Five Players

Boise State has led the nation in everything else to this point, they might as well have the most players in the Senior Bowl.  The Broncos have five players in the annual collegiate classic which selects 100 of the most talented senior athletes in the nation.

Quarterback Kellen Moore, running back Doug Martin, safety George Iloka and defensive linemen Shea McClellin and Billy Winn are all in Mobile, Alabama, making for a record five Broncos at the game.  The players are practicing for their teams and modeling for NFL scouts who think that the way people look is more important than how good they are. 

The game will be televised live Saturday at 2 p.m. on the NFL Network.

Jimmy Lake is Boise State's New Defensive Backs Coach

According to numerous sources, Jimmy Lake will be the new defensive backs coach at Boise State.  He has some big shoes to fill with the departure of popular Marcel Yates to Texas A&M.  Yates not only had a strong rapport with his players; he was also one of Boise State's best recruiters because of his connection to student-athletes.
Lake has been a coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL in a similar position. 

Prior to that, Lake was the cornerbacks coach at the University of Washington and he coached DB's at Eastern Washington for four seasons.  Lake is a 2000 graduate of Eastern Washington.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Daryn Colledge Continues to Be a Hero

Daryn Colledge was a standup leader at Boise State who came from a great family, breaking the NCAA record for consecutive starts as an offensive tackle.  He was recognized as an All-WAC and All-American performer and helped continue Boise State's great reputation as being one of the top offensive lines in the nation.

Today, Daryn and wife Megan continued to be heroes as they announced a $150,000 donation to the Boise State Athletic Department.  The gift will allow Boise State to upgrade the Bronco weight room, which was originally built in 1988 and expanded in 2004.







"We are extremely grateful for all that BSU and the city of Boise have done for us," Colledge commented.  "We are excited for this opportunity to give back to our university, and we hope that with this gift and others like it, BSU will be able to continue to give so much to Boise.  We are grateful we can contribute to those who have supported us for so long."

"This gift from Daryn and Megan will allow us to make improvements to our current strength and conditioning facility that will help all of our student-athletes for years to come,"  Boise State head strength and conditioning coach Tim Socha said.  "The Colledge's are very special people and have a great love for Boise State and the city of Boise.  It means so much to us that they have decided to give back to the school that they have so much pride in."
"It's always great when former athletes remain involved in our program," Bronco head football coach Chris Petersen commented.  "Daryn and Megan's generosity towards supporting our current student athletes is greatly appreciated and allows us to continue our rich tradition of success.  Their willingness to give back is proof that they valued their time here at Boise State". 
Daryn Colledge Indianapolis Colts v Green Bay Packers
While at Boise State, Colledge helped the Broncos to a four-year record of 45-7 and four consecutive WAC Championships.  Daryn was drafed in the second round of the NFL Draft by Green Bay in 2006 and played in every game with the Packers over the next five years, starting 76.  Colledge was a key cog in Green Bay's 2010 season which culminated in a win over Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl.  In 2009, Green Bay named Colledge as the Walter Payton Man of the Year. 

Last season, Colledge became a free agent and signed a multi-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.  He started every game for Arizona as the Cardials finished with an 8-8 record, including a 4-1 mark in the final portion of the season.

On a personal note, I just want to add that I know Daryn, his mother Tammy and his siblings.  They are models for the type of people and families that anyone would want in their program.  I did several things with Tammy to help the Boise State program and it means a lot when you can help someone with their experience at Boise State, see them excel at the professional level and then turn around and help future Boise State student-athletes.  That's the cycle you want to be on and Daryn and Megan are so great to do this!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Jonathan Smith Is Boise State's New Quarterbacks Coach

It has been rumored for several days now, but Blue Through and Through won't report something until it is fact.  Now we have confirmation that Jonathan Smith indeed will be the new quarterbacks coach at Boise State as we had heard.  Coach Chris Petersen made that announcement this afternoon in Boise.



"We are excited about Jonathan becoming a Bronco, and he is going to be a good fit with our players and coaches,” Petersen said. “He was successful as a coordinator and brings the type of expertise we need in helping our quarterbacks.”

For the past two seasons, Smith was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Montana, helping the Grizzlies to the Football Championship Division Semifinals. 

Smith spent the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Montana, where he helped lead the Grizzlies to the Football Championship Division Semifinals in 2011.  Montana scored 33.86 points a game last season and 31.73 in 2010. 

Prior to that, Smith was the quarterbacks coach at Idaho and was instrumental in the development of Nathan Enderle.  In Smith's final year at Idaho, the Vandals ranked ninth in the nation in total offense (451.38), 12th in passing (286.69) and 20th in scoring (32.69).  Enderle finished fifth in passing efficiency with a mark of 157.28. 

Smith was a graduate assistant at Oregon State, his Alma mater, in 2002 and 2003. 

Jonathan went from a walk-on to a four-year starter at OSU, accumulating a record of 24-14 and serving as team captain in each of his two seasons.  The highlight was the 2001 season, in which Brown led the Beavers to an 11-1 record, the Pac-10 Conference Championship, and a 41-9 pasting of Notre Dame in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl.  Brown established school career records for passing yards (9,680), total offense (9,209) and touchdown passes (55) and finished his brilliant career ranked third in Pac-10 history for passing yards and total offense.

Welcome to Boise State, Jonathan!  Everything is in place for you to work your magic...

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Boise State's Ryan Clady Selected for Another Pro Bowl





Denver was knocked off last week, but it wasn't because of Ryan Clady.  The former Bronco All-American tackle was chosen once again to go to the NFL Pro Bowl.  Congrats to Ryan!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Two Bronco Assistants Will Move to Other Schools

Two Boise State assistants, offensive coordinator Brent Pease and special teams coach Jeff Choate have decided to take their abilities to other schools.


Pease, who has been trying to find the right situation for several years so he can eventually land a head coaching job, will make a lateral move to the University of Florida to serve in the same position.  Choate will also make a lateral move to Washington State to coach special teams in Pullman, Washington.

Media reports about Boise State defensive back coach Marcel Yates leaving are premature.  He has gone to interview at Texas A&M but it is not a done deal.


We thank Coache Pease and Coach Choate for their years of great service and success in not only keeping the Boise State football team at the top but in being excellent role models for the Broncos' student-athletes.  Best of luck to you all!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Boise State's Matt Miller Named Freshman All-American

Boise State wide receiver Matt Miller was chosen to the Freshman All-America team by the Football Writers of America.

Miller, who set freshman records in receptions (462), yards (679) and touchdown catches (nine), was also named to the Second Team by Yahoo Sports.  Previous Bronco records were held by Austin Pettis, who hd 46 catches for six touchdowns in 2007 and Titus Young, who had 639 receiving yards that same season.

Boise State Finishes #6 in Coaches Poll

Boise State finished #6 in the final Coaches Poll.  Arkansas jumped the Broncos after beating Kansas State.  How convenient for them to give Boise State a 6-6 team to play in a bowl game.


Coaches Poll
Rankings updated (01/10/2012)
RankTeamsSchedules/ResultsPointsPrev
1Alabama
Overall: 12-1
Conference: 8-1
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/09 defeated LSU 21-014752
2LSU
Overall: 13-1
Conference: 9-1
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/09 lost to Alabama 0-2114041
3Oklahoma State
Overall: 12-1
Conference: 8-1
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/02 defeated Stanford 41-3813673
4Oregon
Overall: 12-2
Conference: 9-1
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/02 defeated Wisconsin 45-3812905
5Arkansas
Overall: 11-2
Conference: 6-2
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/06 defeated Kansas State 29-1611887
6Boise State
Overall: 12-1
Conference: 6-1
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
12/22 defeated Arizona State 56-2411626
7Stanford
Overall: 11-2
Conference: 8-1
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/02 lost to Oklahoma State 38-4111064
8South Carolina
Overall: 11-2
Conference: 6-2
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/02 defeated Nebraska 30-1310849
9Michigan
Overall: 11-2
Conference: 6-2
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/03 defeated Virginia Tech 23-2092512
10Michigan State
Overall: 11-3
Conference: 7-2
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/02 defeated Georgia 33-3091213
11Wisconsin
Overall: 11-3
Conference: 7-2
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/02 lost to Oregon 38-459118
12Baylor
Overall: 10-3
Conference: 6-3
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
12/29 defeated Washington 67-5677516
13TCU
Overall: 11-2
Conference: 7-0
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
12/21 defeated Louisiana Tech 31-2471015
14Houston
Overall: 13-1
Conference: 8-1
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/02 defeated Penn State 30-1467317
15Oklahoma
Overall: 10-3
Conference: 6-3
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
12/30 defeated Iowa 31-1461019
16Kansas State
Overall: 10-3
Conference: 7-2
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/06 lost to Arkansas 16-2960210
17Virginia Tech
Overall: 11-3
Conference: 7-2
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/03 lost to Michigan 20-2357411
18West Virginia
Overall: 10-3
Conference: 5-2
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/04 defeated Clemson 70-3355422
19Southern Mississippi
Overall: 12-2
Conference: 7-2
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
12/24 defeated Nevada 24-1742921
20Georgia
Overall: 10-4
Conference: 7-2
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/02 lost to Michigan State 30-3334518
21Cincinnati
Overall: 10-3
Conference: 5-2
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
12/31 defeated Vanderbilt 31-2424824
22Clemson
Overall: 10-4
Conference: 7-2
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/04 lost to West Virginia 33-7023714
23Florida State
Overall: 9-4
Conference: 5-3
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
12/29 defeated Notre Dame 18-1420525
24Nebraska
Overall: 9-4
Conference: 5-3
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
01/02 lost to South Carolina 13-3014420
25Brigham Young
Overall: 10-3
Conference: 0-0
Statistics | Schedule | Roster
12/30 defeated Tulsa 24-217926
Others Receiving Votes: Northern Illinois (11-3) 36; Missouri (8-5) 33; Texas (8-5) 29; Auburn (8-5) 28; Rutgers (9-4) 11; Penn State (9-4) 10; Texas A&M (7-6) 5; Virginia (8-5) 4; Temple (9-4) 2; Washington (7-6) 2; Arkansas State (10-3) 1; La.-Lafayette (9-4) 1; Ohio (10-4) 1; Florida (7-6) 1; Mississippi State (7-6) 1; Notre Dame (8-5) 1

Friday, January 6, 2012

LOI Day Set for Wednesday, February 1

Buffalo Wild Wings in Meridian will once again be the scene for the Letter of Intent Day Party for Boise State.  Jeff Caves will once again be the host as Idaho Sports Talk is broadcast from BWW Wednesday, February 1.  The doors open at 11 and if you're not there by then or shortly after, it will be difficult to get a seat.

Seeing the popularity of Caves' show, Boise State started up their own version a few years ago and they will once again have their own celebration with the Bronco coaches talking about each of the recruits, most likely again at the Stueckle Center.  We'll have details on that show as soon as we learn from Boise State.

If Boise State had a kicker...

Boise State would be 53-0 over the last four years.  That's really mind-blowing.  And we're not talking a 49-yard field goal attempt against the wind.  We're talking 20, 30 and 40-yard field goals.  Three missed field goals have meant the difference between being undefeated over four years and losing three games.

I fully realize that, had a lineman made a better block, a quarterback completed one more pass, a receiver not dropped a pass or a defensive player made the tackle at the line of scrimmage, the three games would not have come down to a field goal attempt.  But when you play at the D-1 level, I think most colleges expect their kickers to make those.  By and large, they do. 

I will repeat the need for a kicking specialist as a coach at Boise State.  It's time.  The lack of one has cost Boise State over $15 million.  I think an investment of $100,000 per year would be well worth it.

A little more about Sean Wales

Wales averaged 47.5 yards a punt at LaHabra High School in California, plus he was 9-11 on field goals, with a long of 52 yards.  That's better than any of the returning field goal kickers did last season. 

Doug Martin Invited to NFL Combine

Doug Martin becomes the fifth Bronco to be invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, joining quarterback Kellen Moore, defensive end Shea McClellin, defensive tackle Billy Winn and offensive tackle Nate Potter.  Hard to believe that Crawford and Iloka have not been asked.

Kevin Prince the new Offensive Coordinator at Boise State

Brent Pease has decided to take a job at either Alabama or Florida and Boise State head coach Chris Petersen has replaced him at offensive coordinator with long-respected Kevin Prince.  

Prince, who is in his second stint on the Bronco coaching staff, was the wide receivers coach last season, helping Tyler Shoemaker break Austin Pettis's record for receiving touchdowns in a season and Matt Miller break all records as a freshman. 

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Boise State Agrees to New Contract with Coach Chris Petersen

Football coach Chris Petersen has agreed to a new multi-year contract with Boise State, a deal that has been approved by the Idaho State Board of Education.  Petersen's salary will be brought in line with the average for Automatic Qualifying Conference schools, which Boise State will be beginning in the fall of 2013.

Petersen will make $2 million per year beginning February 1 and the contract includes an extension through Jnuary 31, 2017.  Details of the contract including current salary, royalty payments, deferred compensation and retirement benefits will be finalized in the coming weeks and will be considered next month by the State Board.  There are also new incentive bonuses for academic and athletic achievements and the buyout was increased to $750,000.
 
                "Chris Petersen's success in sustaining excellence in football at Boise State has created a unique opportunity for the University to achieve national attention as a school equally dedicated to academic excellence," Boise State President Dr. Bob Kustra stated.  "This has created opportunities for Boise State, its faculty, staff and students that deserves to be recognized and rewarded.  Chris is a national role model for football coaches across the nation and it is my fondest hope that he will provide that leadership from Boise State for years to come."

Petersen leads the nation with the best winning percentage (92.4%, a 73-6 record) since he took over in 206.  This past season, Boise State was 12-1, finishing with the best four-year record (50-3) since 1900.  Boise State and Ohio State are tied for the most BCS Top 10 finishes (6) in the last eight years.

                "I feel honored and blessed that I will continue to lead this football team," Petersen commented.  "I appreciate the support of the administration and Bronco Nation, and I'm excited about the continued growth of this program."
                
For the second straight year the Bronco football team posted the No. 2 ranking in the annual academic BCS standings.  Boise State has the best Academic Performance Rate (APR) in the nation over the last two years.  The Bronco team posted a perfect score of 1,000 in 2008-09 and 997 in 2009-10.

              "President Kustra, Curt Apsey (interim AD) and I have worked closely during this transitional period and agree that this new agreement reinforces Boise State's commitment to Coach Petersen," said incoming Director of Athletics Mark Coyle. "The academic and athletic successes of the program under Coach Petersen's leadership are recognized nationally and we are excited that he will continue to lead our football student-athletes."

Tyler Grey Coming to Boise State

Linebacker Tyler Grey, who was planning to greyshirt at Hawai'i, has switched gears and is coming to Boise State.

Grey (6-3, 215) was named to two all-state teams and won the Los Padres League Defensive Back of the Year award.  He posted 143 tackles and five sacks as a senior and also ran the ball 205 times for 1,628 yards and 25 touchdowns.  Grey won the best linebacker award at the Randy Shannon Football Camp in Miami, Florida.

Welcome to Boise, Tyler!

Sean Wale Commits to Boise State

Boise State has received a commitment from Sean Wale, according to numerous sources.

Wale was brought in to be a punter, but he also specializes in booming kickoffs and is a placekicker as well.  More details soon!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Boise State Recruit Leads Team on TD Drive in All-American Bowl

Boise State quarterback recruit Nick Patti just led his team to a touchdown, completing a nice throw and getting a couple of nice runs as well.  Patti is playing in the High School All-American Bowl.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Kyle Wilson with Team-Leading Five Tackles Today

Kyle Wilson of Boise State had five tackles today for the New York Jets, tied for the team lead.  Unfortunately, the team lost 19-17.

Titus Young Gets Two More TD Receptions

Boise State receiver Titus Young caught four passes for 24 yards today, but two went for scores.  Unfortunately, it was in a losing effort but TY now has four TD catches in his rookie season for Detroit.