ccripe's blog

Bleymaier frustrated by scheduling woes

Chadd Cripe — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:44:20 -0500

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com
© 2009 Idaho Statesman

RUSTON, La. — Boise State athletic director Gene Bleymaier is frustrated with the response he’s getting from Bowl Championship Series-conference teams as he searches for a 2011 season-opening football game.

Several BCS teams have turned down a home game against the Broncos for that season, Bleymaier said Friday night. Earlier in the week, WAC commissioner Karl Benson said it’s close to 10 teams.

ESPN is helping the Broncos find an opponent, Bleymaier and Benson said.

Avery, Martin to get bulk of work at tailback

Chadd Cripe — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:00:43 -0500

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

For the first time all year, Boise State expects to have a three-tailback rotation for Friday's game at Louisiana Tech.

However, junior Jeremy Avery and sophomore Doug Martin will get the bulk of the carries as long as they are able. Martin is returning from a pulled hip flexor that limited him in the past two games.

Freshman Matt Kaiserman, who was highly productive in his first two college games while Martin was ailing, will be used for select plays.

Boise State defensive line shines

Chadd Cripe — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:49:03 -0500

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

The Broncos’ starting four on the defensive front has developed into a dominant group — ends Ryan Winterswyk and Shea McClellin and tackles Billy Winn and Chase Baker.

They have combined for 23 tackles for loss, including 11.5 sacks, and six pass breakups.

The group is the main reason the Broncos have held seven of the eight opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards.

“They’ve all showed up at different points of the year with a big play here or there,” defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox said.

WAC commissioner says high-profile teams turned down Broncos; Moore sixth in Heisman Watch; AP voters address Oregon debate

Chadd Cripe — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:12:50 -0500

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

WAC commissioner Karl Benson said Tuesday that several high-profile programs have turned down a chance to play a home game against Boise State in 2011.

Boise State — with help from ESPN, Benson said — has been shopping for a game to fill out its 2011 schedule.

Benson wasn't sure of the exact number of schools that had said no, but figured it was close to 10. The Broncos weren't asking for any games in Boise in return, he said.

"They're running into a situation where nobody will schedule them, nobody will take them," Benson said.

La. Tech's top offensive players, leading tackler questionable this week

Chadd Cripe — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:30:08 -0500

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Louisiana Tech has some significant injury issues going into Friday’s home game against No. 5 Boise State.

The Bulldogs lost tailback Daniel Porter (concussion) and wide receiver Phillip Livas (ankle) last week at Idaho. Their statuses probably won’t be known until game day, coach Derek Dooley said Monday.

Linebacker and leading tackler Adrien Cole (concussion) missed the Idaho game and his status is uncertain.

TCU retains edge over Boise State in BCS; Broncos land at No. 4 in Harris poll with a first-place vote

Chadd Cripe — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:53:42 -0500

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com
© 2009 Idaho Statesman

TCU held off Boise State in the latest Bowl Championship Series standings Sunday.

TCU is No. 6. Boise State is No. 7. Cincinnati is No. 5 and Oregon is No. 8. The margin among those four teams is small, so they could move around in coming weeks.

In the computers, those four teams were ranked Cincinnati (No. 5), TCU, Oregon, Boise State.

The top four are Florida, Texas, Alabama and Iowa.

Pair of national writers put Moore at top of Heisman list

Chadd Cripe — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:57:16 -0400

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Two national college football writers told the Idaho Statesman this week that Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore is their top choice for the Heisman Trophy at this point in the season.

Pat Forde of ESPN.com gave Moore his first-place vote in the ESPN.com Heisman Watch. Los Angeles Times writer Chris Dufresne named Moore the player of the half-year and said Moore would be his choice right now if he had a vote.

Kaiserman eager for home debut; San Jose State standout safety is coordinator's son

Chadd Cripe — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:11:45 -0400

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com
© 2009 Idaho Statesman

Boise State tailback Matt Kaiserman, a Skyview High graduate, says he might be more nervous for his Bronco Stadium debut Saturday against San Jose State than he was for his college debut last week at Hawaii.

Kaiserman rushed 23 times for 122 yards and a touchdown in Hawaii. He had missed the first six games because of a concussion.

“I’m glad for the opportunity,” he said of Saturday’s game. “I can’t wait.”

Boise State won't move Virginia Tech game

Chadd Cripe — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:04:25 -0400

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Boise State will not agree to move next year's game against Virginia Tech, athletic department spokesman Max Corbet said Wednesday.

The game is scheduled for Oct. 2, 2010, at FedExField in Landover, Md.

Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver said on a radio show this week that the game would move to Labor Day. Boise State already had indicated it didn't want to play on a different date, Corbet said.

Playing the game on Labor Day would have given the Broncos a difficult turnaround for their next game.

Moore climbs to fifth in ESPN.com's Heisman Watch

Chadd Cripe — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:33:01 -0400

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Boise State sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore's Heisman Trophy campaign is gaining steam.

Moore moved up to fifth on ESPN.com's Heisman Watch on Tuesday. He was sixth last week.

Moore got a first-place vote this week and was listed on six of the 15 ballots.

He leads the nation in pass efficiency and touchdown passes. He has thrown 21 touchdown passes and just two interceptions, the second-best touchdown-to-interception ratio in the nation.