http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/nacda/sports/directorscup/auto_pdf/DIMarch24.pdfAs revealed on this board last week, Boise State made a jump in the Learfield Cup Standings, which measures the top athletic programs in the country. The Broncos were helped by the ninth-place finish at the 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championships and the 39th-place finish at the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships.
Even so, Boise State is behind last year's pace, largely because the football team did not do as well in 2010 as they did the year before. Boise State currently has 169 points, just behind Arizona State, Iowa State and Purdue but ahead of Georgia, Miami of Florida, Clemson and Pac-10 bound Utah. Hawai'i is the second-highest school from the Western Athletic Conference at #86.
The Broncos hope to pick up points in gymnastics, and the men's and women's tennis teams will also need to score points if Boise State is to match last year's Learfield Cup success.
Complete standings can be found here:
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Young, Avery Excel at Boise State Pro Day
NFL scouts, not being good enough at what they do to be able to evaluate talent based on actual football games, were on-hand for Boise State's Pro Day today and reports are the Titus Young and Jeremy Avery improved their stock.
Young, who ran a 4.47 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine, topped that with a 4.35 in the 40 today. Avery, who wasn't invited to the Combine, recorded a 38-inch vertical. The scouts wanted to try Winston Venable at safety and Ryan Winterswyk at tight end and had that pair work out at unfamiliar positions. 14 of the Bronco seniors took part in the drills, but reportedly Austin Pettis was not included in the group. Pettis is comfortable with the numbers he posted at the Combine.
Young, who ran a 4.47 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine, topped that with a 4.35 in the 40 today. Avery, who wasn't invited to the Combine, recorded a 38-inch vertical. The scouts wanted to try Winston Venable at safety and Ryan Winterswyk at tight end and had that pair work out at unfamiliar positions. 14 of the Bronco seniors took part in the drills, but reportedly Austin Pettis was not included in the group. Pettis is comfortable with the numbers he posted at the Combine.
I Expect a Big Season from Doug Martin
In his career thus far, Boise State running back Doug Martin has proven to be the go-to guy when Boise State needed a goal-line touchdown (Fiesta Bowl 2009) and a breakaway touchdown to spur the team to victory (2010 Las Vegas Bowl). Martin has that rare combination of innate toughness and blazing speed that few running backs have. That is one of several reasons why I look for Martin to have a sensational senior year.
Martin is a back you can count on in short-yardage situations and a guy that can also get you the 80-yard touchdown to break the game open. From the time he was Boise State Scout Player of the Year, the Bronco coaches knew they had to find a way to get him on the field. Originally thought to be a strong competitor for Boise State's all-important "nickle" position on defense, Martin switched to running back when Winston Venable stepped up out of junior college to become a stud at that position.
Martin has excelled since moving back to offense. Despite not being a starter, Martin led the Broncos with 15 rushing touchdowns and averaged 5.9 yards a pop in 2009. Martin played considerably more last year and ran for 1,260 yards, 12 touchdowns and a 6.3 average. So we know the guy has the talent to put forth a monster year.
He'll need to. Boise State lost star tailback Jeremy Avery to graduation and Matt Kaiserman to too many concussions. And one can not begin to predict what D.J. Harper will do. Harper was granted another year of eligibility because of injuries each of the past two seasons. Behind those two are a couple of walk-ons and a freshman. While each of those backs can get the job done, Martin has far and away the most carries, the most experience and the most durability. I don't question at all that Martin could handle 25-30 carries a game.
Talent, durability, depth--those are three reasons why Martin should have an amazing year. Another has to do with the loss of Titus Young and Austin Pettis. Those two by all rights should both be drafted in the first round if NFL scouts have a clue (I'm not in the camp that thinks they do.) Nevertheless, both are huge losses to the receiving corps. Let me start off this part by saying that if I was out on the field, Kellen Moore would find a way to get me the ball; in other words, I don't think you have to be a great talent to catch some footballs this fall. So I'm not worried in the least about the Boise State passing game. But let's face it--you do have some drop-off at receiver when you lose Austin Pettis and Titus Young. The younger receivers (Hiwat, Burks, Potter, perhaps Miller) will eventually grow into their new roles.
But in the meantime, you want yards you can count on from the get-go, especially in the season opener against Georgia. The same is true for the rest of the early part of the schedule, until the receivers named above can "get in their groove". Again, that is not to say that the Bronco passing game will suffer--it won't. But with Martin, you have the proven, known commodity who you know can get it done in the clutch and get the tough yards.
It's never good to put a number out there as to what I think he'll rush for so I won't do that. Just suffice it to say that Martin should explode for his best season as a Bronco.
It's never good to put a number out there as to what I think he'll rush for so I won't do that. Just suffice it to say that Martin should explode for his best season as a Bronco.
The Boise State All-WAC Football Team 2001-2010
As the Boise State football team prepares to enter a new era, I thought it would be fun to name a Boise State All-WAC team, the top players at each position from 2001-2010 (The WAC years).
QB: Kellen Moore
RB: Brock Forsey
RB: Ian Johnson
WR: Austin Pettis
WR: Titus Young
WR: Jeremy Childs
TE: Derek Schouman
TE: Kyle Efaw
T: Ryan Clady
G: Tad Miller
C: Scott Huff
G: Andrew Woodruff
T: Daryn Colledge
DE: Ryan Winterswyk
DT: Billy Winn
DT: Andrew Browning
DE: Shea McClellin
LB: Andy Avalos
LB: Korey Hall
LB: Colt Brooks
CB: Gabe Franklin
CB: Kyle Wilson
S: Quintin Mikell
S: Jeron Johnson
P: Kyle Stringer
PK: Tyler Jones
That's a pretty potent lineup! Agree? Disagree? Name your own team in the comments below.
QB: Kellen Moore
RB: Brock Forsey
RB: Ian Johnson
WR: Austin Pettis
WR: Titus Young
WR: Jeremy Childs
TE: Derek Schouman
TE: Kyle Efaw
T: Ryan Clady
G: Tad Miller
C: Scott Huff
G: Andrew Woodruff
T: Daryn Colledge
DE: Ryan Winterswyk
DT: Billy Winn
DT: Andrew Browning
DE: Shea McClellin
LB: Andy Avalos
LB: Korey Hall
LB: Colt Brooks
CB: Gabe Franklin
CB: Kyle Wilson
S: Quintin Mikell
S: Jeron Johnson
P: Kyle Stringer
PK: Tyler Jones
That's a pretty potent lineup! Agree? Disagree? Name your own team in the comments below.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Boise State Offers Legace
Arcadia Head Coach Jon Dimalante has confirmed that Taylor Legace has been offered a scholarship at Boise State.
Legace played receiver and safety and returned punts and kicks last year for Arcadia, accounting for 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns and also making four interceptions. As a sophomore, Legace had 74 receptions for 895 yards and 12 touchdowns. Legace, 6-2, 190, runs a 4.5 40.
Legace has received interest from UCLA, Stanford, Washington, USC, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Colorado State. He is a possession receiver with deceptive speed.
Legace has received interest from UCLA, Stanford, Washington, USC, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Colorado State. He is a possession receiver with deceptive speed.
Blue Through and Through will have more information soon on Legace.
Oregon Might Get First Win Over Boise State in 13 Years
Oregon had not defeated Boise State in a major sport (football or basketball) in 13 years. The Ducks finally broke that long dry spell with a 79-71 win in Eugene tonight over the Broncos in the semifinals of the CBI Tournament.
Kudos to Boise State, though, down by 20 in the second half, cut the lead to six in the waning moments.
Kudos to Boise State, though, down by 20 in the second half, cut the lead to six in the waning moments.
Broncos Open WAC Season by Hosting Nevada
Boise State's softball team dives into the conference season with three home games against Nevada. It is important for the Broncos to take advantage of the home field since these are the only games scheduled against the Wolf Pack this season.
Nevada can score runs in bunches when they're on. The Pack is right behind Boise State (.304) for third in the Western Athletic Conference (.285) in hitting. There are four main contributors to the Nevada offense. Karley Hopkins is fifth in the WAC (.383) and leads the conference in doubles with 11. Britton Murdock is hitting .354 and is third in the league with a perfect 8-for-8 stolen bases. Erin Jones bats .340 while Daniell Patrick is third in the WAC with 25 RBI's. However, only five Nevada hitters bat over .220 on the season. Thus, the task is pretty clear--shut down those four and you have a good chance to win.
Mallory Darby (9-10, 4.24 ERA) is the top hurler for Nevada; Darby is thrd in the conference with 95 strikeouts. The question is depth, as Nevada's team ERA is 5.74. The Bronco bats were quiet at the beginning of the year, but as new faces began to hit on a consistent basis, the Boise State offensive attack has come alive during their winning streak. They will need to continue to hit and move teammates along the basepaths and take advantage of the fat ERA's on the Nevada staff.
Boise State's Kellie Caplan is enjoying a fantastic year, hitting over .400 (.407), third in the WAC. The surprise in the conference is freshman Devon Bridges. Bridges is not only hitting well (.385) which is fourth in the WAC, but she seems to be a part of nearly every Bronco rally.
Boise State and Nevada take the field at Mountain Cover for a Friday game beginning at 3. The teams will play a doubleheader Saturday with games scheduled at 1 and 3 p.m.
Nevada can score runs in bunches when they're on. The Pack is right behind Boise State (.304) for third in the Western Athletic Conference (.285) in hitting. There are four main contributors to the Nevada offense. Karley Hopkins is fifth in the WAC (.383) and leads the conference in doubles with 11. Britton Murdock is hitting .354 and is third in the league with a perfect 8-for-8 stolen bases. Erin Jones bats .340 while Daniell Patrick is third in the WAC with 25 RBI's. However, only five Nevada hitters bat over .220 on the season. Thus, the task is pretty clear--shut down those four and you have a good chance to win.
Mallory Darby (9-10, 4.24 ERA) is the top hurler for Nevada; Darby is thrd in the conference with 95 strikeouts. The question is depth, as Nevada's team ERA is 5.74. The Bronco bats were quiet at the beginning of the year, but as new faces began to hit on a consistent basis, the Boise State offensive attack has come alive during their winning streak. They will need to continue to hit and move teammates along the basepaths and take advantage of the fat ERA's on the Nevada staff.
Boise State's Kellie Caplan is enjoying a fantastic year, hitting over .400 (.407), third in the WAC. The surprise in the conference is freshman Devon Bridges. Bridges is not only hitting well (.385) which is fourth in the WAC, but she seems to be a part of nearly every Bronco rally.
Boise State and Nevada take the field at Mountain Cover for a Friday game beginning at 3. The teams will play a doubleheader Saturday with games scheduled at 1 and 3 p.m.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Boise State Ready to Battle Oregon in Eugene
After winning two College Basketball Invitation Tournament games at home, Boise State ventures to Eugene, Oregon for a CBI semifinal game with the Ducks Wednesday night.
The venue won't be the only thing that is different. In Monday's game with Duquesne, Oregon outscored the Dukes 20-4 at the free throw line. The Ducks won that one 77-75.
Senior forward Joevan Catron tops Oregon with 15.2 points (7th in the Pac-10) and 6.5 rebounds a game and broke the school record by playing in his 129th career game against Duquesne. Catron, a Second-Team All-Pac-10 selection, shoots 46.7% from the field (164-351). Catron recently became the 30th player in school history to top 1,000 career points. Catron draws attention underneath and will get to the free-throw line; he's a 71.4% shooter there.
Catron's frontcourt mate E.J. Singler (sophomore) was named to the Pac-10 All-Tournament Team. He is the conference leader in free-throw shooting (87.1%; 101-116) and is second on the Oregon team with 11.5 points and 5.7 rebounds a game. Singler will also pop out and hit the three; he is 128-283 this year (45.2%).
Tyrone Nared has started the last 17 games, with his career high being 16 points against California.
Junior guard Malcolm Armstead is sixth in career steals at Oregon with 143. Armstead has a record 78 steals this season. He also led Oregon with 148 assists this year, 10th all-time at Oregon. Senior guard Jay-R Stowbridge is Oregon's third leading scorer at 9.6 points a game although he has not been a full-time starter.
Another Duck to watch is junior guard Garret Sim, who has become a three-point threat as the season has progressed. Sim has made at least one trey in 19 of Oregon's last 22 games and he is second on the team with 33.3% shooting (46-138) from beyond the arc.
As a team, Oregon set a school record for steals with 288 and they lead the Pac-10 in turnover margin.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. Mountain Time.
The venue won't be the only thing that is different. In Monday's game with Duquesne, Oregon outscored the Dukes 20-4 at the free throw line. The Ducks won that one 77-75.
Senior forward Joevan Catron tops Oregon with 15.2 points (7th in the Pac-10) and 6.5 rebounds a game and broke the school record by playing in his 129th career game against Duquesne. Catron, a Second-Team All-Pac-10 selection, shoots 46.7% from the field (164-351). Catron recently became the 30th player in school history to top 1,000 career points. Catron draws attention underneath and will get to the free-throw line; he's a 71.4% shooter there.
Catron's frontcourt mate E.J. Singler (sophomore) was named to the Pac-10 All-Tournament Team. He is the conference leader in free-throw shooting (87.1%; 101-116) and is second on the Oregon team with 11.5 points and 5.7 rebounds a game. Singler will also pop out and hit the three; he is 128-283 this year (45.2%).
Tyrone Nared has started the last 17 games, with his career high being 16 points against California.
Junior guard Malcolm Armstead is sixth in career steals at Oregon with 143. Armstead has a record 78 steals this season. He also led Oregon with 148 assists this year, 10th all-time at Oregon. Senior guard Jay-R Stowbridge is Oregon's third leading scorer at 9.6 points a game although he has not been a full-time starter.
Another Duck to watch is junior guard Garret Sim, who has become a three-point threat as the season has progressed. Sim has made at least one trey in 19 of Oregon's last 22 games and he is second on the team with 33.3% shooting (46-138) from beyond the arc.
As a team, Oregon set a school record for steals with 288 and they lead the Pac-10 in turnover margin.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. Mountain Time.
Bronco Women Down #54 Oregon 5-2
To the poor Duck fans, Boise State has to seem like the school that won't go away.
The Boise State women's tennis team topped Oregon 5-2 yesterday at the BOAS Indoor Tennis Complex in a match much closer than the final score might indicate. Four singles matches were decided in three sets.
The Boise State women's tennis team topped Oregon 5-2 yesterday at the BOAS Indoor Tennis Complex in a match much closer than the final score might indicate. Four singles matches were decided in three sets.
Did you know:
Last school year, more than 2,300 Boise State students devoted 56,785 hours to non-profit organizations in the Treasure Valley, valued at $912,787 in economic benefit to the community.
ESPN Will Televise Boise State-Fresno State Game
ESPN has announced it will televise this year's Boise State-Fresno State game. The Broncos travel to play the Bulldogs October 7. This is the 11th-straight year that ESPN has nationally televised the rivalry game.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Boise State Will Play at Oregon Wednesday Night
Oregon fans got good news when their Ducks won in the College Basketball Tournament over Duquesne. But just when they thought they'd gotten rid of Boise State by rejecting them for Pac-10 membership, the Ducks found out that it will be those same Broncos coming to town for the CBI semi-finals.
Creighton will play Central Florida in the other semi-final, with the two winners playing in a best-of-three series for the CBI Championship.
Creighton will play Central Florida in the other semi-final, with the two winners playing in a best-of-three series for the CBI Championship.
Boise State Advances to CBI Final Four
Freshman Ryan Watkins scored a career-high 19 points to lead Boise State to a 76-67 victory over Evansville tonight in Taco Bell Arena to advance to the semi-finals of the College Basketball Invitational Tournament.
Boise State One of Only 37 Teams Still Dancing
116 men's college basketball teams started out last week dancing in quest of a tournament championship. One by one, they have been tapped on the shoulder by someone letting them know their dreams were over. Now, just 37 teams remain.
Boise State is one of those 37, and tonight the Broncos take on Evansville in the CBI quarterfinals. Follow the link to read a preview of tonight's game. Tip-off is 7 p.m. in Taco Bell Arena.
Tickets for the 2011 NCAA Gymnastics Regional in Denver
Now that we have told you that Boise State will be traveling to the NCAA Denver Regional Saturday, April 2, the next step is to announce ticket information.
You can purchase tickets directly through the Ritchie Center Box Office or from TicketMaster.com The Ritchie Center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at 303-871-2336. Reserved tickets are $15 for the lower level and $10 for the upper level. Children and seniors are admitted for $8 in the upper level.
The Regional Championships begin at 6 p.m. on April 2. The top two teams from the Regional will advance to the NCAA Championships April 15-17 in Cleveland.
You can purchase tickets directly through the Ritchie Center Box Office or from TicketMaster.com The Ritchie Center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at 303-871-2336. Reserved tickets are $15 for the lower level and $10 for the upper level. Children and seniors are admitted for $8 in the upper level.
The Regional Championships begin at 6 p.m. on April 2. The top two teams from the Regional will advance to the NCAA Championships April 15-17 in Cleveland.
Boise State Gymnasts will Compete in Denver Regional
Apparently it's a secret.
I had to learn about it not from the NCAA itself, but from the Deseret paper in Salt Lake City. Here is the field and it is an Idaho exclusive (brought to you here on this blog before Boise State's official web site Broncosports.com, before KTVB.com and before TheIdahoStatesman.com:
Denver, Co. Regional - No. 1 Florida; No. 12 Arkansas; No. 13 Boise State; No. 19 Denver; No. 20 Arizona; No. 27 BYU
Tuscaloosa, Ala. Regional - No. 2 Alabama; No. 11 Penn State; No. 14 Illinois; No. 22 Auburn; No. 25 Central Michigan; Kentucky
Corvallis, Ore. Regional - No. 3 Oregon State; No. 10 Nebraska; No. 16 Iowa; No. 31 SUU; San Jose State; Michigan State
Ann Arbor, Mich. Regional - No. 4 Stanford; No. 9 Michigan; No. 16 Ohio State; No. 21 Iowa State; No. 23 Minnesota; No. 24 Kent State
Norman, Ok. Regional - No. 5 Oklahoma; No. 7 Utah; No. 17 Washington; New Hampshire; Missouri; North Carolina
Athens, Ga. Regional - No. 6 UCLA, No. 8 Georgia; No. 18 LSU; North Carolina State; Maryland; West Virginia
I had to learn about it not from the NCAA itself, but from the Deseret paper in Salt Lake City. Here is the field and it is an Idaho exclusive (brought to you here on this blog before Boise State's official web site Broncosports.com, before KTVB.com and before TheIdahoStatesman.com:
Denver, Co. Regional - No. 1 Florida; No. 12 Arkansas; No. 13 Boise State; No. 19 Denver; No. 20 Arizona; No. 27 BYU
Tuscaloosa, Ala. Regional - No. 2 Alabama; No. 11 Penn State; No. 14 Illinois; No. 22 Auburn; No. 25 Central Michigan; Kentucky
Corvallis, Ore. Regional - No. 3 Oregon State; No. 10 Nebraska; No. 16 Iowa; No. 31 SUU; San Jose State; Michigan State
Ann Arbor, Mich. Regional - No. 4 Stanford; No. 9 Michigan; No. 16 Ohio State; No. 21 Iowa State; No. 23 Minnesota; No. 24 Kent State
Norman, Ok. Regional - No. 5 Oklahoma; No. 7 Utah; No. 17 Washington; New Hampshire; Missouri; North Carolina
Athens, Ga. Regional - No. 6 UCLA, No. 8 Georgia; No. 18 LSU; North Carolina State; Maryland; West Virginia
NCAA to Announce Regional Gymnastics Lineup Today at Noon
The NCAA will announce which 36 teams will be invited to participate in the 2011 Regional Gymnastics Championships and where those teams will be performing. The news is expected to be announced shortly after noon Mountain Time.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Boise State Second in the Nation in Conference Championships
The gymnastics title in the Western Athletic Conference last night gave Boise State its record sixth conference championship of the season, putting the Broncos all alone in second place in the nation among major colleges. Stanford is #1 with seven championships, although the Cardinal missed out on an eighth in wrestling because Boise State was in the Pac-10. Wrestling is the only sport that the Pac-10 allows Boise State to compete in, and the Broncos won.
Boise State has also captured WAC titles in football, men's cross country, women's swimming and diving and men's indoor track. That breaks the overall record of five set back in 2005 and ties the WAC record of five championships, also set in 2005.
Stanford has won Pac-10 championships in men's and women's cross country, women's soccer, women's volleyball, women's basketball and men's and women's swimming.
Louisville and Ohio State are third behind Boise State with five conference titles each; the Cardinals have won Big East championships in men's soccer, women's volleyball, men's and women's swimming and women's indoor track while Ohio State has won Big Ten titles in football, women's soccer, women's indoor track and men's and women's basketball. Michigan (field hockey, men's soccer, men's swimming and women's gymnastics) and Connecticut (football, men's indoor track and men's and women's basketball) are in fourth with four conference championships each. Several schools are tied with three conference championships, including Arkansas-Little Rock and Middle Tennessee of the Sun Belt, Florida of the SEC, Oklahoma State and Nebraska of the Big 12, Akron and Central Michigan from the MAC, BYU of the Mountain West Conference, Connecticut of the Big East, Central Florida of Conference USA and Duke and Maryland of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Click on the link to take a look at the championships won in each major conference:
Boise State has also captured WAC titles in football, men's cross country, women's swimming and diving and men's indoor track. That breaks the overall record of five set back in 2005 and ties the WAC record of five championships, also set in 2005.
Stanford has won Pac-10 championships in men's and women's cross country, women's soccer, women's volleyball, women's basketball and men's and women's swimming.
Louisville and Ohio State are third behind Boise State with five conference titles each; the Cardinals have won Big East championships in men's soccer, women's volleyball, men's and women's swimming and women's indoor track while Ohio State has won Big Ten titles in football, women's soccer, women's indoor track and men's and women's basketball. Michigan (field hockey, men's soccer, men's swimming and women's gymnastics) and Connecticut (football, men's indoor track and men's and women's basketball) are in fourth with four conference championships each. Several schools are tied with three conference championships, including Arkansas-Little Rock and Middle Tennessee of the Sun Belt, Florida of the SEC, Oklahoma State and Nebraska of the Big 12, Akron and Central Michigan from the MAC, BYU of the Mountain West Conference, Connecticut of the Big East, Central Florida of Conference USA and Duke and Maryland of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Click on the link to take a look at the championships won in each major conference:
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