Bronco Soccer Team Knocks Off Penn

Katy Oehring knocked in a rebound in overtime to help Boise State defeat Penn 1-0 Sunday.  In the 54th minute, Kelsey Nicassio took a free kick on the left side.  The Penn goalkeeper stopped it but was unable to secure the ball.  Oehring poked the ball into the open net for the winner, her third goal of the season.

Maddy McDevitt scored her third shutout this season with four saves, including two great stops in the final 15 minutes.

The Broncos are now 5-6-1 on the season.  Bet they would love another shot at those Big Sky opponents now.  But those are in the past, and Boise State must prepare itself for the much tougher Mountain West season, which gets underway in earnest next Friday against defending champion New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Boise State Now #20 in Unofficial BCS Standings, Week Four

Once again, the Unofficial BCS Standings contain the Coaches Poll Percentages, the AP Poll Percentages, and the Sagarin and Billingsley comuter ratings.  The Harris Poll, used in the official BCS Rankings, has not been released yet, but history has shown that the AP is a good approximation of the Harris.  The Massey and Colley ratings have begun, but their methodology is such that it isn't an accurate reflection of the ratings until several weeks into the season.


1.    Alabama 99.86% + 99.93% +((24 + 25)*2 =) 100.00 = 297.79
2.    Oregon 92.95% + 94.27% + ((21 + 23)*2 =) 86.00 = 273.22
3.    LSU 92.27% + 89.73% + ((20 + 24)*2 =) 88.00 = 270.00
4.    Florida State 88.54% + 89.33% + (17 + 12)*2 =) 58.00 = 235.87
5.    Georgia 82.98% + 83.00% + ((18 + 15)*2 =) 66.00 = 231.98
6.    South Carolina 77.90% + 76.47% + ((16 + 19)*2 =) 70.00 = 224.37
7.    Stanford 62.64% + 70.33% + ((22 + 22)*2 =) 88.00 = 220.97
8.    Kansas State 64.34% + 71.13% + ((19 + 20)*2 =) 78.00 = 213.47
9.    Notre Dame 56.68% + 66.87% + ((23 + 21)*2 = 88.00 = 211.55
10.  Florida 55.39% + 57.60% + ((25 + 5)*2 =) 60.00 = 172.99
11.  USC 55.12% + 53.40% + ((9 + 18)*2 =) 54.00 = 162.52
12.  West Virginia 67.80% + 69.67% + ((2 + 6)*2 =) 24.00 = 161.47
13.  Texas 56.68% + 57.07% + ((15 + 0)*2 =) 30.00 = 143.75
14.  Oklahoma 47.39% + 40.73% + ((12 + 13)*2 =) 50.00 = 138.12
15.  TCU 47.80% + 41.07% + ((10 + 11)*2 =) 42.00 = 130.87
16.  Michigan State 27.39% + 23.20% + ((14 + 17)*2 =) 62.00 = 112.59
17.  Clemson 37.97% + 39.20% + ((7 + 8)*2 =) 30.00 = 107.17
18.  Oregon State 14.92% + 30.07% + ((13 + 9)*2 =) 44.00 = 88.99
19.  Louisville 33.42% + 27.60% + ((0 + 0)*2 =) 0.00 = 61.02
20.  Boise State 4.68% + 7.60% + ((8 + 16)*2 =) 48.00 = 60.28
21.  Baylor 6.85% + 6.13% + ((0 + 14)*2 =) 28.00 = 40.98
22.  Mississippi State 23.66% + 16.40% + ((0 + 0)*2 =) 0.00 = 40.06
23.  Rutgers 6.64% + 8.53% + ((5 + 7)*2 =) 24.00 = 39.17
24.  Wisconsin 6.92% + 8.67% + ((11 + 0)*2 =) 22.00 = 37.59
25.  Nebraska 22.10% + 11.93% + ((0 + 0)*2 =) 0.00 = 34.03



26.  Michigan 3.86% + 2.83% + ((0 + 10)*2 =) 20.00 = 26.69
27.  Oklahoma State 10.44% + .80% + ((1 + 3)*2 =) 8.00 = 19.24
28.  Arizona 1.08% + 1.13% + ((3 + 4)*2 =) 14.00 = 16.21
29.  Northwestern 6.51% + 5.93% + ((0 + 0)*2 =) 0.00 = 12.44
30.  Virginia Tech 6.64% + 1.73% + ((0 + 0)*2 = 0.00 = 8.47

AP Poll Percentages

Here are the Top 25 teams in terms of percentage of total possible points for the AP Poll:

1.    Alabama 99.93%
2.    Oregon 94.27%
3.    LSU 89.73%
4.    Florida State 89.33%
5.    Georgia 83.00%
6.    South Carolina 76.47%
7.    Kansas State 71.13%
8.    Stanford 70.33%
9.    West Virginia 69.67%
10.  Notre Dame 66.87%
11.  Florida 57.60%
12.  Texas 57.07%
13.  USC 53.40%
14.  Ohio State 42.20%
15.  TCU 41.07%
16.  Oklahoma 40.73%
17.  Clemson 39.20%
18.  Oregon State 30.07%
19.  Louisville 27.60%
20.  Michigan State 23.20%
21.  Mississippi State 16.40%
22.  Nebraska 11.93%
23.  Rutgers 8.53%
24.  Boise State 7.60%
25.  Baylor 6.13%

26.  Northwestern 5.93%
27.  UCLA 5.27%
28.  Michigan 2.83%
29.  Ohio 2.67%
30.  Virginia Tech 1.73%
31.  Arizona 1.13%

Coaches Poll Percentages--Week Four

Here are the Coaches Poll Percentages for college football:

1.    Alabama 99.86%
2.    Oregon 92.95%
3.    LSU 92.27%
4.   Florida State 88.54%
5.    Georgia 82.98%
6.    South Carolina 77.90%
7.    West Virginia 67.80%
8.    Kansas State 64.34%
9.    Stanford 62.64%
10.  Texas 56.68%
11.  Notre Dame 56.68%
12.  Florida 55.39%
13.  USC 55.12%
14.  TCU 47.80%
15.  Oklahoma 47.39%
16.  Clemson 37.97%
17.  Louisville 33.42%
18.  Michigan State 27.39%
19.  Mississippi State 23.66%
20.  Nebraska 22.17%
21.  Oregon State 14.92%
22.  Oklahoma State 10.44%
23.  Wisconsin 6.92%
24.  Baylor 6.85%
25.  Rutgers 6.64%
25.  Virginia Tech 6.64%

26.  Northwestern 6.51%
27.  Boise State 4.68%
28.  Michigan 3.86%
29.  Iowa State 3.05%
30.  Cincinnati 2.85%
31.  UCLA 2.24%

Boise State Engineering Program Earns Another High Ranking From U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News and World Report published its "Best Colleges 2013" guidebook and rankings, and it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that Boise State was once again included.

Boise State is ranked #13 in the nation among public institutions for its engineering programs.  The rankings are based soley on a survey of engineering deans and senior faculty at all programs accredited by ABET (formerly known as Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) conducted last spring.

Boise State was 15th last year in the survey among public institutions.  The College of Engineering has seven departments with programs in civil engineering, computer science, materials science and engineering, construction management, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical and biomedical engineering, and instructional and performance technology.  More than 2,300 students were enrolled in the Engineering field at Boise State in the spring semester.

Bronco Volleyball Team Sweeps Southern Utah

Boise State opened the Invitational with a 26-24, 25-11, 25-14 win over Southern Utah for their third straight win.  Alyssa Gammel hit at a 36% rate and led the Broncos with 13 kills, while Liz Harden had nine.  Boise State moved to 4-4 on the season with the victory.

Boise State #25 in Coaches Poll, #26 in AP

As I said, Boise State can still rise to #12 at the end of the season, but they have a whole lot of improving to do first:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/rankings

Gallarda Makes Falcons

Atlanta has trimmed their NFL roster to 53 and Tommy Gallarda did not get cut today.  Congrats Tommy--a job well done!

Boise State Soccer Team Hosts Invitational

To be average, most teams will win at home and lose on the road.  But if you want to be better than average, you have to master the art of winning on the road.  Successful teams are a close-knit group that adopts the "us vs. the world" mentality.  

After two season-opening home wins, the Boise State soccer team did not do the things they had been doing at home, and the Lady Broncos dropped decisions to Washington State and Gonzaga on the road last weekend.  Boise State hosts games this weekend against Idaho State and Montana.  The matches are scheduled for 3:30 and 6 p.m. Friday and are must-win contests for Boise State to get to where they want to be.

Boise State Women Picked to Finish Second in Mountain West Cross Country; Bronco Men Third

The Boise State women's cross country team was selected to finish second in the Mountain West Conference this season in a vote by the league's coaches released yesterday.  The Bronco men were chosen third in the Mountain West.

The Bronco women were third last season and were chosen behind first-place New Mexico.  The Boise State men were fourth last year and received one first-place vote to finish third behind New Mexico and Air Force.

Boise State kicks off their 2012 season Saturday, September 8 at the annual Roger Curran Invitational in Nampa.  Blue Through and Through will have the most complete preview of the team you'll find anywhere.

2012 MOUNTAIN WEST PRESEASON MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY COACHES' POLL
Pl.      Team (1^st place votes)             Points
1.      New Mexico (4)                          24
2.      Air Force (1)                                21
3.      Boise State (1)                            17
4.      Colorado State                           12
5.      Wyoming                                     9
6.      Fresno State                                7

2012 MOUNTAIN WEST PRESEASON WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY COACHES' POLL
Pl.      Team (1^st place votes)             Points
1.      New Mexico (7)                          63
2.      Boise State (1)                            54
3.      Colorado State (1)                     48
4.      Air Force                                      43
5.      Wyoming                                     39
6.      Fresno State                                23
         UNLV                                            23
8.      Nevada                                        21
9.      San Diego State                         10

Broncos Lose to Washington State 6-0

Boise State's soccer team found out what great competition is like, and it's probably good that the Broncos will head to the Big West next season.

The Lady Broncos were trounced by Washington State 6-0.  It was never close with the shot total reflecting the Cougars' domination--18-5.  Boise State will try again against Gonzaga Sunday afternoon at 1.

Broncos Continue to Trail Washington State

The Boise State soccer team has stopped the bleeding, but they're not ready to walk upright yet.  The Broncos trail Washington State at the half, 2-0.

WSU 2, Boise State 0

10:07 gone in the first half and Boise State has not been the aggressors they were in the opening weekend.  The action pretty much has taken place in the Bronco end.  Maddy McDevitt has done a good job stopping most of the attack but she needs her teammates to take the ball down the field and stop the Cougars from camping out near the goal.

Shots:  Washington State 6
            Boise State 0

Washington State Shocks Boise State Early

5:45 gone in the game and already Washington State has scored on Boise State.  The Bronco soccer team will now have to play catch-up.

Big West Conference Invitation Official: Boise State Accepts

Blue Through and Through has been telling you for weeks now that Boise State would join the Big West Conference and today, the university made it official.

Boise State will rejoin the Big West for men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's outdoor track and field and women's volleyball.  Boise State has been looking for a home for its non-football sports since the Mountain West announced that they would not allow the school to continue competing in the conference unless its football team was a member also.  The Bronco football team moved up to the Big East earlier this year.

“Boise State’s membership in the Big West Conference complements our Big East Conference football presence and reflects our emerging coast-to-coast profile,” Boise State President Bob Kustra stated.  “We are truly excited by the prospects of competition and collaboration with all these new partners both athletically and academically.  The Big West will be an outstanding home for the majority of our intercollegiate sports and will provide great opportunities for our student-athletes.”

The Boise State wrestling squad will continue to compete in the Pac-12, where it has been one of the dominant teams in the conference over the last decade.

Boise State’s entry fee to join the Big West is $2.5 million which will be paid in five annual payments.  In addition, Boise State will also pay a travel cost per conference visiting team for regular season competitions in Boise at an estimated cost of $750,000 per year, an equity share into the league’s reserve to be determined at a later date and a one-time membership initiation fee estimated at $50,000.

Current schools in the Big West include Cal Poly, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, Long Beach State, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, Hawai’i and Pacific.  Pacific will leave the Big West following the 2012-13 season and join the West Coast Conference.

Like Boise State, San Diego State will join the Big West in 2013 for the majority of its non-football sports.  San Diego State’s football team is joining the Big East with Boise State prior to the 2013 season.

Boise State was a member of the Big West for all sports, including football, from July 1, 1996 to June 30, 2001.  Boise State joined the WAC on July 1, 2001 and was a member of that league for 10 years before joining the Mountain West on July 1, 2011.  

Sources: Boise State Accepts Big West Invitation

According to my sources, Boise State has officially accepted an invitation to the Big West Conference.  We will work to confirm this and have further information soon.

Boise State Volleyball Team Debuts Friday Night

Boise State has an opportunity this weekend to advance their program; the Broncos take on #14 Washington in the season opener Friday night in Seattle.  First serve is at 8 p.m. Mountain Time.  Coach Shawn Garus and the Broncos stay in the Emerald City to meet Portland State Saturday at 11, then will meet Gonzaga tomorrow night at 5:30.

Lady Bronco Soccer Team Travels for Pair This Weekend

The unbeaten Boise State soccer team is in Pullman for a 4 p.m. game Friday with the Cougars.  The Broncos then take on Gonzaga Sunday afternoon at 1.  Washington State defeated Gonzaga last week, 3-0 in its only match this season and is looking to repeat its success last season, when WSU advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.  Gonzaga enters the weekend with a 1-1 mark this year.

As usual, you'll get updates and the final score here before anywhere else in the state.  (At Blue Through and Through, we don't just care about Boise State football, but all news regarding our Broncos.)

Building a Program: The Goal of the 2012 Boise State Volleyball Team

Under coach Shawn Garus, the Boise State volleyball team posted its first back-to-back winning seasons in 15 years.  Gurus's challenge will be to continue the momentum and build a program.

Garus must replace three full-time starters who graduated; two of those were three-year starters.  Garus is aware of the challenge and is expecting his younger players to step up this fall:

"It is going to be a challenge for us with the schedule and all the new faces. We lost some key impact players last year, but we do have some talented and experienced returners coming back," said Garus. "We have a solid core group of four players in our three seniors Liz Harden, Fiona Jones and Kersti  Whitney, along with our junior setter Casey Rose. They have all seen a lot of match time, we are going to need them to take control of the team and provide the leadership. But the younger players and newcomers are going to have to step up as well with energy, competitiveness and consistency in order for us to be successful." 

Boise State faces three teams that played in the 2011 NCAA Tournament--Washington, Arizona and American, in addition to playing their final season in the Mountain West Conference.  

Here is the 2012 outlook for the Lady Broncos:

Setter

There are all kinds of skills necessary to have a winning volleyball team, not the least of which is a dependable setter.  Without that, a team gives up the advantage on every point.  Without a proper set, or pass, the hitters cannot place the ball where they need to in order to catch the opponent off guard.  As Garus mentioned, Casey Rose is back and is the only returner with experience.  Rose came off the bench in all 31 matches, but was second on the team with 469 assists.  Rose also proved to be a dangerous server, recording 30 aces, also second on the Broncos.  

But Rose isn't alone--true freshman Sarah Baugh has arrived on campus and is eager to show what she can do.  Baugh was a two-time Olympic League MVP in leading North Kitsap High School to back-to-back Washington state tournament appearances.  Baugh is good enough to play right away.

Outside Hitter:

With two returning starters (Harden and Jones), this is a position of strength for the Broncos.  Harden is a three-year starter who led the team in kills last year.  

Jones started last year until suffering an injury.  Jones posted 194 kills in 2/3 of the season last year. 

Taylor Murphey continued to improve last year and started in five matches in place of Jones.  In 20 matches, Murphey had 41 kills and 15 blocks and the sophomore will need to continue to grow for Boise State to be successful.

Redshirt freshman Katelyn Kinghorn is ready to contribute after a good spring.  The former all-state performer from Rigby, Idaho excels at ball control and defensive passing, qualities that could greatly help this team.  Alyssa Gammel is a transfer from Virginia Tech who will immediately challenge for the starting job at outside hitter.  If Gammel is set up well, she'll blast the ball past opponents and Boise State is blessed to have her services this fall.  Janessa White signed a letter of intent and comes to Boise as the MVP of her conference while at South Salem High School in Oregon.  White is one of five players who are six feet or taller on the roster, meaning Garus is well on his way to bringing size and athleticism to the Bronco program.

Middle Blocker

Returning starter Brittany Reardon and part-time starter Leah Stevens are back to stabilize the middle blockers for the Broncos.  Reardon recorded the second-best season for hitting percentage in school history as a redshirt freshman last year and she's going to be a star for Boise State.  Reardon led the Mountain West and was 31st in the country with 35.5% and was second on the team with 78 blocks.  Reardon has to continue to improve her game and will be a force on the Bronco squad for three more years.

Stevens started 10 games last season and finished with 79 kills and 40 blocks.  Stevens can also move to the outside when needed, but Stevens has the athleticism and ability to be a key factor this fall.

Sarah Webster redshirted last season and is ready to play after a good spring.  Webster was a two-time conference player of the year at Palm Springs High School in California.  Aly Duffin is another transfer, coming to Boise from Georgia Southern.  Duffin is a three-time all-conference high school star from California that will also challenge for a starting position.  In fact, this position is so loaded that one or more of these players could start on the outside.

Libero and Defensive Specialists:

Kersti Whitney started at defensive specialist last year but is projected to move to libero this fall.  The Bronco senior has three years experience on defense but is versatile enough to move to libero.  Whitney was third on the team with 205 digs last year.  Kristyn Kirschenman played in 29 matches last year and recorded 89 digs.  The sophomore could play either position and is a reliable server.

Jackie Pyles was a Michigan honorable mention all-state performer and will play a key role if she does not redshirt.

All Bronco home matches will be in Bronco Gym.  Admission to all Bronco games is $6 for adults, $4 for high school students or younger and $4 for seniors.  Boise State students can cheer on the Lady Broncos for free with presentation of their student I.D. card.  The Boise State All Sports Pass, something our booster group helped bring about, is your best bet if you count yourself as a Bronco regular attendee.  The All-Sports Pass is just $50 and gets you admission to all sports except football and men's basketball.

Drawings of the Proposed Boise State Alumni Center

The proposed new Boise State Alumni Center is on the agenda for September 10 at the Planning and Development meeting: