Uh-oh...

Logged on to facebook today and saw this horrifying development. Kellen...don't fall in with the wrong crowd!

Bronco Nation Podcast 11-26-08

We have another game?! The epic showdown that wasn't will take place on Friday afternoon when the Fresno State Bulldogs come to town. A revenge-minded (2001, anyone?) Bulldog team will have something to play for and the Broncos, thanks to a Utah win on Saturday and the WAC championship firmly in hand, won't. Upset anyone? Not likely on Senior Night, but JT (BNN), Buck (Statueleft), and Logan from the Redwave podcast sort it all out. Who's up for some turkey?

 The Bronco Nation Podcast - Bring It On [53:38m]: Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

Thank you seniors!

Fresno heads to the blue on Black Friday this week after Boise State clinched their 6th league title in 7 seasons in their "biggest little win" of the year. Fresno has had a curious year and failed to meet many preseason expectations (sound familiar?), but are always a dangerous squad and I'm sure would love to do to the Broncos what the Broncos did to them in 2001. The fans are already in post-season mode, but as long as the players aren't...it should be a very tough game for the 'dogs to win. Lost in the commotion is the fact that Friday is Senior Night and the Broncos will honor a slew of seniors that have given their heart and soul to the program. Among them are Ian Johnson, who placed 8th in Heisman voting in 2006 and passed LaDainian Tomlinson on Saturday for second all-time in WAC rushing TDs, Vinny Perretta, who tossed the game-tying TD in the Fiesta Bowl and notched 126 yards against the Wolf Pack on Saturday, and Andrew Woodruff, who has been a mainstay on the Bronco O-line and paved the way for some of the best rushers this school has ever seen. Hopefully Bronco Nation will show up early on Friday afternoon to honor this senior class that has represented Boise State so well and given us all memories to last a lifetime. If you'd like to express your gratitude and wish the Bronco seniors well, I've set up this online petition so you can do just that. Remember, the first page after you sign is just a preview of your post...you must hit 'sign' again after reviewing for your signature and comments to go live.

Thank you Bronco seniors

Bronco Nation Podcast 10-7-08

The Bronco Nation Podcast just got much Bart Hendricks-ier. Bart joined JT Ray of Bronco Nation N.O.W. and I and we discussed the only ray of hope and goodness in this world amid the turmoil and despair: Bronco football. Bart answers whether or not Kellen Moore is better than he was as a frosh, we rehash the La Tech game, praise the Bronco D and give our predictions for the WAC-ky weekend ahead. Start the podcast playing...then minimize the windown and do your spreadsheets...the boss will never know!

 The Bronco Nation Podcast - Its Actually KBOI [47:46m]: Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

WAC film comparisons

WAC media days are over (great wrap-up by OBNUG here) and fall camp is tantalizingly close...so what better way to kill some more time than by putting together an arbitrary list comparing WAC teams to their film counterparts.

Movie content, plot and general awesomeness/crappiness were NOT considered...just throwing up puns here.

Utah State— Superbad

Idaho— The Devil's Advocate

New Mexico State— The Other Sister

Hawaii— You Only Live Once

Fresno State— Almost Famous

Nevada— The Way We Were

Louisiana Tech— Southern Comfort

San Jose State— Closer

Boise State— Best of the Best

Got more? Think yours are better? Email fightfightbsu@gmail.com or comment.

The one-two punch

Boise State was voted first AND second in preseason WAC voting today. The coaches saw fit to dangle the "beat Fresno State" carrot in front of their clubs for the year—while the conventionally wise media looked at history and put the target on Boise State's back. So, is being voted the preseason #1 a good or bad thing? Anyone know how many times Boise State was picked to win the WAC during their string of five straight titles? It certainly wasn't five...and I'd be willing to bet that Fresno got much of that love. Ian Johnson was tabbed as the preseason Offensive player of the year, making my prediction ring gloriously true. Defensive player of the year was erroneously given to Hawaii LB Solomon Elimimian—Ryan Winterswyk is now sufficiently motivated.

OBNUG has some nice WAC media days goodies for Bronco Nation while BoiseStatefans.com has adequate coverage.

You also might enjoy this artsy preseason video I made the other day on a whim (sorry, no Mudvayne, Eminem or Phil Collins)

Fresno jurors not too bright

Despite getting saddled with the easiest court case ever, Fresno jurors were unable to reach a verdict in a multi-misdemeanor extravaganza featuring ex-Fresno State star DT Jason Shirley. A few days ago, I posted an article about Pat Hill "testifying" on Shirley's behalf to acknowledge that Shirley had received a concussion playing against Nevada last season. A Bulldog team doctor also testified about Shirley's egregious concussion that was apparently so severe that it made him back his car into an apartment building and then blow a .12 on a breathalyzer over a month after said "mild" concussion occurred.

I believe that I have a very basic knowledge of law...even a rudimentary understanding of the physiological effects of a concussion—but has anyone ever successfully used a month-old concussion as reason for a DUI, hit and run and driving on a suspended license? Well, Jason Shirley is halfway there after a jury deliberated THREE DAYS and were unable to reach a verdict. A mistrial has been declared...the jury has been declared to be idiotic and Jason Shirley is off to Cinncinnati to make up for lost time (until a retrial date is set)

Now, I have nothing against Jason Shirley. He was a fine player for Fresno State and I wouldn't even have dug up this story if he hadn't played for a WAC conference-mate...but this whole trial is so laughably symbolic of the sad state of the U.S. legal system that it is kinda sad. Pat Hill and a team doctor should not have gotten involved. A concussion can be a difficult thing to get over, but it does not inject alcohol into the bloodstream. Shirley's defense attorney, Charles Magill, baffled by the hung jury—had this gem of wisdom about the mistrial:

"They are making an example of him," Magill said.

Yes, they are making an example of him, Chuck. What would that example be exactly? You can call in star witnesses to a slam-dunk DUI proceeding and somehow be fortunate enough to receive a mistrial? Sounds about right.

Oh, and in the interest of full disclosure I should mention that in 2002, I received a mild concussion while playing a game of ultimate frisbee...then 3 months later I knocked over a Keybank. Them concussions is crazy.

Fresno Bee article

Pat Hill goes to bat

Fresno State's storied, mustachioed head coach testified at the DUI trial of embattled ex-Bulldog Jason Shirley yesterday—vouching for the defensive tackle, who was drafted in the 5th round by the Bengals. Hill was apparently asked to testify about witnessing Shirley suffer a concussion in a play against Nevada on October 6th. Hill's mind was on other things during the play in question, however:

"What I really noticed in that play," Hill said, "was recovering the fumble in the end zone."

Team doctor William Carveth testified that Shirley could have been suffering from the lingering effects of his mild to moderate concussion when he drove his car into an apartment complex in November. This dog and pony show seems to be overlooking one significant factor, however...that Shirley's blood alcohol level was .12 when the cops arrived after the accident. Unless a mild concussion can mimic alcohol in the bloodstream, it doesn't look like Shirley has a leg to stand on.

Hey Jason, it's a freakin' misdemeanor, not a capital murder trial! You failed the breathalyzer, man. No need to call in star witnesses. The fines will be a mere pittance if you make a signing bonus. This whole "trial" is wasting the mustache's time.

If convicted of the misdemeanors, Shirley will reportedly be punished by having to play for the Cinncinnati Bengals.

Full Story

Maisel and Schlabach toast (or roast) the WAC

In an article today entitled "Three Things I Can't Wait To See This Fall In The WAC", ESPN's dynamic duo, Mark Schlabach and Ivan Maisel pontificated about the upcoming WAC-ky season in the WAC. A brief run-down:

Maisel's crystal ball first foresees another non-magical ride for the Fresno State Bulldogs:

After Boise State and Hawaii crashed the BCS the past two years, the WAC is asking in slogan fashion, "Who's Next?" The answer is no one.

I can actually see Fresno pulling off 2 of 3 against the likes of Rutgers, Wisconsin and UCLA...or I could see them losing all three. However, even if Fresno pulls off the trifecta...they will again lose to Boise State on the blue. Touchdown Tommy Brandstater notwithstanding.

Maisel's second bullet is dedicated to everyone's favorite softy, Ian Johnson—whom Maisel thinks may struggle this year with a "fresh O-line":

...More importantly, he has only one returning offensive lineman, Andrew Woodruff, in front of him. In other words, no matter whom head coach Chris Petersen picks at quarterback, Boise State will go through some growing pains.

No, Ivan...line play in '08 can't be much worse than what we saw from our veterans in '07. Ian's nemesis this year? A ridiculously deep stable of protegès carving away some of his carries. Ian still goes for 18 TDs and 1300 yards

Maisel's last pick is a yawner about La Tech, so we won't go much into that—suffice it to say, La Tech may get to .500 this year.

At the top of Mark Schlabach's list he poses this head-scratcher:

Will the pistol replace the run 'n' shoot as the toughest offense to beat in the WAC?

First off, the answer is 'no'. Secondly, I believe that historically the toughest offense to beat in the WAC has been Boise State's.

Schlabach's second query is another no-brainer:

Can Boise State re-establish its dominance in the WAC?

Only if BSU can overcome Pat Hill and his mighty Fresno State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs look poised to win yet another preseason WAC championship. The BSU coaching staff is so far inside Pat Hill's head it would take a Jules Verne-esque voyage to get them out.

Schlabach's third bullet, loosely translated reads:

Blah blah blah Fresno State, blah blah blah Bulldogs blah blah blah

Listen up, Mark...BSU is always the sexy pick to win the WAC, can't you see the world through blue and orange shades like the rest of us? Sheesh.

You can read the whole article HERE (but why would you want to? It's not nearly as concise or pithy as my summary)

Boise State beats Fresno State again...

An epic puff piece in the Fresno Bee today underscored just how dominant Boise State has been for the last 4 years in one category: tattoos.

Marty Tadman was the standard bearer for the WAC in sheer volume and religious fervor of his tats. Tadman, or "Tattedman" as some more juvenile folks like myself liked to call him is right this very moment searching for small bits of body canvas on which to throw a few more well-inked scriptures and parables. Fresno State's celebrated tat man "Marvelous Marvin" Hamler's ink looks tame compared to Boise State's beloved Minister of Defense.

Hamler may have a shot title of the WAC's "most inked" now that Tadman has left the blue, but we all know that he will never hold a needle candle to the people's champion, Marty Tadman.

Fun Fact: Did you know that if you took all the ink that make up Marty Tadman's tattoos, you could write two editions of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World...in cursive?

Got Milk?

BSU got their mojo back—and they picked a perfect night. Friday night on ESPN2, BSU answered two big questions that had been swirling around the program for two weeks; the first one? Where the heck is our defense? The answer, on Friday, was: RIGHT where we left it, with Marty Tadman, Jeron Johnson (back after a 3-game absence) Kyle Gingg, Ryan Winterswyk and the rest of the crew—BSU's defense played phenomenal football for 3 quarters, putting big hits on Fresno QB Brandstater and shutting down the potent Bulldog run game. The second big question? Can two freshman running backs really move the ball on Fresno with Ian johnson out? The answer to this was a resounding "YES". Redshirt freshman Jeremy Avery and True Freshman DJ Harper exploded against Fresno and combined for over 200 yards in the first half of the game. DJ Harper had a breakout night, and possibly a pivotal night in his development as a Bronco; rushing for over 150 yards and a clutch TD run where he fought off multiple tackles and dove into the endzone. Avery looked smooth as silk as he made quick cuts, juked defenders and followed his blocks masterfully, en route to a 125 yard game and 3 TDs.

The Bulldogs came out quickly, matching BSU's first TD and then taking an early lead as Clifton Smith raced to the endzone after fielding a BSU punt. DJ Harper's TD knotted the game up at 14 and then a huge field-goal block by Orlando Scandrick and crew put the Broncos in position to kick their own—leaving the score 17-14 at the half.

The Dawgs have been known this year for huge second-half efforts, so the Broncos needed to stay focused and make the necessary adjustments—they did. BSU, behind terrific efforts by Avery and freshman kicker Kyle Brotzman, were able to outscore Fresno 17-7 in the second half—sealing a 34-21 win, keeping pace with WAC first-place team Hawaii, and winning their 6th game in 7 tries against the Bulldogs.

The stat of the game? BSU's defense held Fresno to 1 of 13 on 3rd down conversions. An amazing stat for a Bronco defense that had struggled mightily in their previous two WAC contests. Jason Robinson's interception on 4th and long was the night's only turnover and clinched the night for Boise. All told, BSU beat Fresno at their own game—they ran the ball down their throats. BSU outgained Fresno 282-89 on the ground and 440-352 in total yards. Taylor Tharp looked efficient and managed the game well for Boise State as the passing game never really took off, Austin Pettis made a clutch diving catch on 3rd and long to keep one Boise State scoring drive alive, and Marty Tadmand and Dallas Dobbs both contributed 9 tackles on the defensive side of the ball.

Fresno is a talented and, like the Broncos, young team and I was impressed with the following players: Marlon Moore, AJ Jefferson, Bear Pascoe, and Clifton Smith. With these youngsters and Pat Hill's tutelage—Fresno should be a force to be reckoned with in the WAC in coming years (alongside BSU, of course)

All in all, a very solid, hard fought victory for the Broncos who return home for San Jose State on Saturday. With the defense seemingly righting their ship, I expect pretty smooth sailing through November until the epic showdown with Hawaii (who is 8-0, but hasn't played anyone with a pulse yet).

The Milk Can stays in Boise for one more year.