The Boise State football team held its annual awards banquet Sunday and handed out a few awards.
Kellen Moore was selected as the Broncos' offensive MVP, while defensive end Ryan Winterswyk and Ellis Powers were co-defensive MVPs. Sophomore kicker Kyle Brotzman and junior punt returner Kyle Wilson were the co-special teams MVPs.
Here's a full list of winners:
Iron Bronco Award (Weight Room Dedication)...read more

BOISE - Boise State's men's basketball team improved to 4-1 with a 62-59 win over Southern Utah on Saturday.
The Broncos were led by Anthony Thomas' 16 points and six assists....read more

BOISE - The Boise State men are leading the Southern Utah Thunderbirds 31-30 at the half, paced by a trio of players with six points apiece.
Boise State is shooting nearly 60 percent for the game (13-of-22)....read more

Boise State is still winless without Tasha Harris.
The Broncos fell 73-70 to the Utah Valley Wolverines on Saturday, going 29-of-76 from the floor (38.2 percent). Freshman Courtney VanBrocklin had 19 points to lead the Broncos....read more

The Boise State Broncos continue to struggle without Tasha Harris, trailing the Utah Valley Wolverines 36-30 at the half.
Freshman Courtney VanBrocklin has seven points to lead the Broncos, who are shooting 32.4 percent from the floor. The Wolverines are hitting 53.3 percent of their shots....read more

One of the Broncos' biggest goals this season was to win the WAC title. Mission accomplished.
The team wanted to go undefeated. Mission accomplished.
BCS bowl? Probably not.
Then again, it wasn't something the Broncos had in mind coming into the 2008 season.
"We didn't set out for a BCS game," head coach Chris Petersen said. "That wasn't it. Our deal was to finish out very game, play...read more

The Broncos and coach Chris Petersen said all week: today's game would be a battle.
So far, that's definitely true. The Broncos own a 13-10 lead at halftime, their most narrow lead after two quarters since beating Hawaii in October.
Fresno State only has 23 rushing yards, but an interception return for a TD, plus a strong drive through the air that led to a field goal has the Bulldogs in the game.
Kellen...read more

Prior to today's Boise State-Fresno State game, the starting lineups were announced.
The big surprise?
Senior Bush Hamdan was announced as the starting quarterback. Hamdan has never started a game for Boise State....read more

Today's game is certainly a big one, and one of the more evenly-matched WAC contests for the Broncos.
I think it comes down to one big number that is heavily in favor of the Broncos.
11.
That's how many times the Bulldogs have taken the ball away from their opponents this season, which is next to last in the country. Who is last? Winless Washington.
The Broncos are No. 4 in the nation with 29....read more

Senior Day is always a big deal at any school, but there's always something unique at Boise State.
Remember Jovan Hutchinson's TD in 2006 or Ryan Clady's almost TD from Taylor Tharp or Ian Smart's extra point last season?
I'm sure something will happen out there today that's special. Here's a few things I imagine happening.
-Toshi Franklin catches a touchdown
-Bush Hamdan starts at least two drives...read more

Senior QB Bush Hamdan spoke to a few media members Tuesday for the first time since late August.
The guy has understandably been disappointed about how things have played out, but he's taken it in stride and always says hi when he sees us in the halls when we are down at BSU for interviews.
I hope you enjoyed the story I wrote on him today, but also wanted to pass along a few more things Bush said...read more

Boise State senior tight end Chris O'Neill has not played since Oct.1's game against Louisiana Tech, when he broke his foot.
However, O'Neill has recovered well and said Tuesday he might be back for the team's bowl game.
"It's looking that way right now," said O'Neill, who is out of his cast. "I am feeling good and the recovery has been good. I'll start running again in the next two...read more

The main talk around the Boise State football team is about where the Broncos will be playing in December or January.
However, for those on the team, the talk is about what will be happening Friday at Bronco Stadium.
Boise State players and head coach Chris Petersen spoke Monday, and most spoke about beating Fresno State on Friday instead of pondering bowl scenarios.
“Don’t ask about me...read more

The Boise State Broncos were certainly in a good mood Saturday after winning the WAC title outright, beating Nevada 41-34.
When they touch down in Boise, that mood likely will be similar, though not the same if BYU had defeated Utah.
Right after the game, senior safety Ellis Powers said this:
"If we go out and win out, hopefully we can both get in there," he said. "It's not in our hands...read more

Well, the stats truly don't lie, folks.
Nevada came into Saturday's game at Mackay Stadium outstanding against the run and putrid against the pass. That's very, very true.
The Wolf Pack have held the Broncos to a grand total of minus-1 rushing yard.
The Wolf Pack have "held" the Broncos to a grand total of 319 passing yards.
Kellen Moore has been outstanding, slicing and dicing the Wolf Pack...read more

We're about a half-hour from kickoff here at Mackay Stadium, and I'm definitely excited because I've been looking forward to this one all season.
I think this is going to be a big rivalry for a while, because both teams have a lot of talent and are young. Kellen Moore, the young running backs, young depth on the D-line for Boise State and Colin Kaepernick, Vai Taua and a pair of standout sophomore...read more

As Phil and I were walking up the hill to Mackay Stadium today, we were around a group of Nevada fans.
One of their buddies came toward them and said: "It's a freakin' sea of orange down there."
That's certainly true. There's a sizable Boise State presence down here, and once I got down here yesterday, blue and orange is the color of choice for seemingly everyone in this city.
It's pretty...read more

As Phil noted the other day, Saturday's Boise State-Nevada game will in all likelihood be sold out at Mackay Stadium.
It certainly is a big game for a number of reasons, but it's pretty evident it will be for fans, too. The Wolf Pack have drawn an average of 17,440 fans per game this season. Mackay holds just less than 30,000.
Plenty of Bronco fans will be coming down for the game, which is another...read more

I'm down at Boise State right now in the Varsity Center and all the buzz is on a USA Today story that quotes former Bronco safety Marty Tadman.
The story is about the lack of emphasis on academics for athletes, but instead on eligibility.
Here's what Tadman said:
"You hear which majors, and which classes, are the easiest and you take them," Tadman said. "You're going to school so you...read more

A game many fans and players have been looking forward to is Saturday's Boise State at Nevada contest.
Travel agencies have been advertising the trip since the summer, players are talking about the zany 69-67 four-OT game and the chance to claim the outright WAC title.
It also is the Broncos' final road game of the season, and it won't be a cake walk, either, with Nevada the top team in the conference...read more

One of the craziest games I've ever witnessed, and probably almost everyone in Bronco Stadium witnessed, was last season's 69-67 quadruple overtime win for Boise State over Nevada.
The game marked the first start for Nevada's 6-6 quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, who has run for 1,017 yards this season, second among all quarterbacks in the FBS.
Boise State head coach Chris Petersen said Kaepernick changed...read more

The Boise State Broncos always find a new way to win and something new to fix.
For a while, the team had struggled with penalties. On Saturday, the Broncos only had three for a total of 21 yards. It was the second lowest total since Boise State had two for 20 yards against Louisiana Tech on Oct. 1.
Boise State also had only one turnover in the 45-10 rout.
"We're getting better, we're cleaning...read more

It's hard to believe, but Boise State has only scored one offensive touchdown today, taking a 17-10 lead into halftime.
Jeremy Childs, however, has certainly done his part, hauling in nine passes so far from Kellen Moore.
The Broncos have not been able to swoop in for the kill, missing two field goals and having a fake on one fail. It seems that the Broncos can move methodically down the field, but...read more

We're about 45 minutes from kickoff, and the Vandal faithful are pouring in, slowly but surely.
I know the stats don't always tell the story, but it sure looks like the Broncos should win it handily today.
Check it out ...
Boise State has averaged 48.8 points per game in the last four meetings between the rivals.
Boise State has scored 326 points this season. The Vandals have given up 419.
Boise State...read more

Do you want to hear Phil Dailey and I talk about the Boise State-Idaho game?
I know you do.
Luckily, you not only get to hear us, but see us with some lovely Idaho sights behind us as we traveled up to Moscow for tomorrow's game for another edition of On The Road. Photographer Charlie Litchfield did an awesome job putting the video together.
Check it out here or here....read more

Idaho governor Butch Otter will be handing out the Governor's Trophy to the winner of Saturday's Boise State-Idaho game in Moscow.
To discuss the rivalry and also a little football, I was able to get some time with the governor on Thursday in Boise. Here's a few of his thoughts:
On the Vandals: "They're playing at home. I really think Boise State will win, but that's pretty high. I think it will...read more

Boise State is ranked No. 3 in the NCAA in takeaways, with 26. Only Wake Forest (28) and Minnesota (27) are ahead of the Broncos.
Even if the offense hasn’t quite hit its stride yet, the defense has obviously more than made up for any deficiencies. The Broncos have forced a turnover in every game this season, including big games against Utah State (six), Hawaii (five) and Oregon (four).
“Nothing...read more

Boise State picked up its second quarterback for the 2009 class Tuesday and the class is certainly filling up quickly.
Michael Tamburo, a 6-1, 190 pound QB from North Gwinnett High in Georgia verbally committed to the Broncos. He joins Joe Southwick as the Broncos' other QB commit.
What stands about Tamburo is the fact he's a lefty, plus seems like a pretty mobile guy. He's run for almost 500 yards...read more

The Boise State-Idaho rivalry is an interesting one in that it sometimes doesn't seem like a rivalry at all.
Boise State has won every matchup for nearly a decade, while Idaho owned a winning strike of more than a decade at one point. Only Boise State has postseason hopes, but it basically is the Vandals' bowl game.
Last year's "Donkeys" fiasco affected some, while others just shrugged it...read more

I put up audio from Boise State head coach Chris Petersen’s news conference.
Check it out here....read more

With Barack Obama elected president and all this talk of spreading the wealth, the Boise State Broncos got into the act Saturday.
Six different wide receivers caught 24 passes for 362 yards, hauling in five touchdowns, while two threw TD passes.
"I think it sort of helps keep the defense on their heels," senior Vinny Perretta said.
Perretta had a touchdown catch and also threw a pass for...read more

At the half, Boise State owns a pretty commanding 28-7 lead and is on pace for 500 yards of offense.
However, there's still plenty of laundry on the field, with the Broncos racking up eight penalties for 74 yards in the first two quarters. Utah State has nine penalties for 72 yards.
The Broncos are dominating on defense, giving up only 129 yards (51 came on a touchdown at the end of the half). That...read more

Boise State guard Kevin Sapien, who had been slated to start on the right side today, will not play because of an injury.
Jon Gott will replace him at right guard, with Andrew Woodruff at left guard and Matt Slater at left tackle....read more

Chris Petersen has said before that penalties aren't always indicative of a team's win/loss record. Certainly that's true with his team.
In terms of fewest penalties per game, the Broncos are 108th in the NCAA. Then again, teams like USC, TCU, Florida State and Texas Tech have more than the 7.9 penalties per game the Broncos receive. However, the team has focused on cutting that number down this week...read more

Thanks to Brandyn Thompson for taking some time out of his day for us to shoot the next College Gameday cover, first of all.
Anyhow, if you want to check it out, I posted a wallpaper of Brandyn here.
Thompson’s a great kid to talk to, and he’s really taken over as a tough customer at cornerback after a rough end to his freshman season (see: Hawaii). He’s not only doing a good job...read more

For the first time in a long while, a Thursday night Mountain West game carries national significance.
TCU plays at Utah at 6 p.m., with the Horned Frogs ranked No. 12 in the BCS and Utah eighth. Certainly, Boise State fans will watch with plenty of interest, considering a TCU win could mean the Broncos will be the top non-BCS conference team.
The Broncos themselves will also be watching.
“I...read more

If there is anyone that is the perfect ambassador for the Boise State program, it's Ian Johnson.
He's probably the most genuinely nice athlete I've ever known, he's very intelligent, likable and always has something nice to say.
So, with today being election day, I had to ask him ... why not run for mayor someday?
"If football doesn't work out, that's definitely a possibility," Johnson said...read more

In many ways, the constant rumors about Chris Petersen leaving Boise State are a bit of annoyance, but to him, there is some good that comes out of it.
"The only thing I'll say is, I don't think it's a bad thing when people are talking about that, because it just means that we're doing well," Petersen said. "They're going to talk about you one way or another. If you're not winning enough...read more

It's always funny covering a team like Boise State, where the only thing they know is winning.
You beat Southern Miss at their place, which at the time was a nice win, and you are anything but satisfied, not even temporarily. Win at San Jose State? Still not content.
I'm not saying that's bad, in fact, it's good because it shows the Broncos their work is never done.
Heck, even the Broncos' defense...read more

Boise State has looked impressive on both sides of the ball here tonight, with plenty of help from New Mexico State with a 28-0 halftime lead.
The Broncos' last three drives started inside NMSU territory on a pair of turnovers and a 15-yard penalty on a BSU punt return. Boise State also has run the ball well, picking up 124 yards thus far on an Aggie defense that cannot seem to make a tackle.
Ian Johnson...read more

The Broncos own a 7-0 lead and have the ball at the NMSU 11 after the first quarter, and it's been weird.
First of all, New Mexico State is running the ball - a lot. Chase Holbrook has not completed a pass, and his one of his only two attempts was intercepted. The Broncos are running the ball well, so expect a season high in yardage, folks....read more

I know there's been some rumors about Ian Johnson's availability today, but the senior RB is suited up, though his wrist is taped up.
Today's captains are Ryan Winterswyk, Tommy Gallarda, Jason Robinson and Vinny Perretta....read more

I'm here at Aggie Memorial Stadium, plenty early, but better that than late, huh?
The weather is currently 80 degrees and there is not a cloud in the sky. I snapped a photo of the stadium on the right. If you see that light blue speck on the lower left, that's Chris Petersen with his son.
I've got my big number for the game, and it's a pretty obvious one: 232.3.
That's how many yards per game the...read more

Prosser (Wash.) senior receiver Kirby Moore, a verbal commitment for the Broncos' 2009 class, set the national receiving touchdown mark Friday.
Moore's Mustangs defeated Ephrata 48-17, with Moore hauling in a mind-boggling 18 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns - he now has 86 in his prep career, eclipsing the national record of 83 set by Abram Booty of Louisiana from 1993-96.
Moore is of course...read more