Camp notes: defense making up for lost time

The defense is typically ahead of the offense during the first few days of fall camp. But six-interceptions ahead? That's just showing off.

According to the reports from the morning session, the Boise State D got to Bronco quarterbacks six times, which is nearly half as many interceptions as the defense had all of last year. Who all got a pick? Here's the list.

• Derrell Acrey
• Brandyn Thompson
• Derrell Acrey again
• Keith McGowen
• George Iloka
• Aaron Tevis
• Chadd Cripe

Of note from the various camp breakdowns, Dave Southorn reports that Jeremy Childs still has it, Cripe reveals that Andrew Woodruff has lost 35 pounds, and Brian Murphy picks a fight with Graham Watson. Perhaps we can get media credentials to that.

If you are curious about hearing an Ian Johnson interview, the Press-Tribune has the audio up on its site. We'll be updating this post with any breaking news throughout the afternoon.

Camp notes: on with the pads, on with the fatigue

Fighting shoulder pads, heat, and the obvious emotional weight of not knowing enough facts about Jeremy Childs' suspension, the Boise State players are starting to look a little tired. The report from Wednesday's morning session was full of phrases like "wore down" and "take its toll." Just writing about it makes us want a PowerAde (purple flavor, of course).

Fortunately, the Broncos overcame the heavy legs to put in some good work in the morning session. Paint us a picture, Chadd Cripe.

The leading candidate for play of the day so far came from senior defensive end Mike T. Williams, who mauled freshman quarterback Kellen Moore from behind, knocked the ball loose and pounced on the fumble. It was a lineman's hat trick — sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery. In all, the defense recovered three fumbles in the practice.

Paint us a more vivid picture, Dave Southorn.

Some good plays were made, most notably when senior defensive end Mike T. Williams pretty much enveloped Kellen Moore from behind, popping the ball loose and recovering the fumble.

Quick! One of you tell us an amusing anecdote about George Iloka!

He is one of those unique personalities, sporting one of those late 80's flattops. He and Derrell Acrey did a handshake in the hallway at the Varsity Center like the one in the Kid 'n' Play movie "House Party."

Brian Murphy, what do you got?

Boise State junior quarterback Nick Lomax offered his thoughts on the QB derby Wednesday...

Eh, don't care.

Sounds like another good day at the office for the Broncos. The line played well in a blocking drill, and Jeremy Avery was running hard again. Does someone need to tell him that Ian Johnson is untouchable?

We'll update this post as we see fit throughout the afternoon.

Broncos ranked by Rivals.com

Thanks to an alert reader, we found out that Boise State has been ranked #35 in the country by Rivals.com. Their countdown, which began appropriately enough at the bottom with Utah State and Idaho, has been going on for weeks now, and we had been anxious to see where Rivals would place the Broncos. And really, we can't complain. If BSU started the season at #35, there would have a good opportunity to move up into the top 25 in just a few weeks' time.

The Rivals preview was pretty standard, but it surprised us with its thoroughness. A George Iloka mention? Hailing the virtues of Vinny Perretta? Knowing who Brandyn Thompson is? We half expected an ESPN.com-style fluff piece featuring a follow-up of Ian Johnson's marriage and a take on the strong cornerback duo of Orlando Scandrick and Kyle Wilson.

But Rivals really stole our heart with this line:

If we've learned one thing the past 10 seasons, it's never to doubt Boise State – no matter what issues the program faces.

You can say that again. Although, if one were to learn two things from the past 10 seasons, the other might be that Fresno State never finishes ahead of the Broncos. Perhaps it will take Rivals 11 years to learn that one.

Boise State preview [Rivals.com]

OBNUG Roster Update: Safeties

Spring football gets OBNUG in the mood to speculate, so over the next few weeks, we will be making blind guesses as to who will be starting for the Broncos in the fall. We’ll do it position-by-position. Today: Safeties.

Safeties

Ideal candidate: The six-million-dollar man


Worst candidate: Any kid from the Little Giants


Actual candidates: Jeron Johnson, Jason Robinson, George Iloka, Cedric Febis, Shaun Jordan, Travis Stanaway, Ellis Powers, others

OBNUG's pick: Johnson and Robinson. The incumbents from last year have an obvious advantage over the rest of the field. That said, should Johnson and Robinson falter, there will be plenty of players willing to step up. We are particularly enamored with Febis and Iloka, and we wouldn't mind at all if BSU decided to use four safeties in its dime packages.