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WIR: 500 isn't old if you're a tree

Week in Review (WIR) was happy to have another busy week of Bronco football, and with a scrimmage tomorrow night (6:00pm at Bronco Stadium, in case you hadn't heard), the good vibes will continue into the weekend.

Also, the good vibes will continue into Monday, when we reveal our big surprise. Is it an OBNUG video game? Are we joining forces with Murph's Turf? Is this site going public? Stay tuned and find out on Monday.

Here are the best stories from the past week:

• Ryan Clady disappoints Woody Paige.
• First BSU scrimmage in the books.
• Nick Lomax in the QB derby?
• Season previews for Utah State and Nevada.
• Brian Murphy stirs debate.
• Happy 500th post, us.
• Practice going better than the scrimmages.
• Patience for the QB race.
• NFL preseason week two preview.
• Dustin Lapray: grandiloquent.
• What to watch for at scrimmage #2.
• Boise State adds two to schedule.
  

See you at the scrimmage, Bronco fans.

QB battle: Moore vs. Hamdan: Day 12

The most important decision in the history of the world will be made in the next few weeks, and we'll be providing daily updates on all the hype and hyperbole surrounding the Boise State quarterback competition.

Vs.

Tomorrow night we get our second chance to see the quarterback competition for ourselves, but until then, we'll just have to rely on our trusted local media for guidance. Scary thought, huh.

Moore: the People's choice
Hamdan: the Media's choice

Advantage: Hamdan. The media does see practice, after all.

In the lead...Tie. It will make for a more interesting scrimmage this way.

2009 Boise State schedule tentatively finalized

Boise State has released a tentative schedule for next season, and there is no opening week Division I-AA opponent to be found. Doesn't feel right, does it?

The final two pieces to the scheduling puzzle were a visit from UC Davis, alma mater of Coach Pete and a guaranteed 30-point victory, and a trip to Oklahoma to face the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Here is the non-conference schedule for the Broncos in 2009:

Sept. 5 vs. Oregon, Sept. 12 at Toledo, Sept. 19 vs. UC Davis, Sept. 26 vs. Miami (Ohio) and Oct. 3 at Tulsa.

For those of you counting on your fingers at home, yes that is five straight weeks of football during a time of season when teams usually take a week or two off. Despite playing in consecutive weeks, the schedule is easy enough for the Broncos to sail through undefeated, especially with the experienced team expected to return next fall. Is it too soon to be looking ahead to next season already? Yes. It is.

Broncos announce 2009 schedule [BroncoSports.com]

User's guide for watching BSU's second scrimmage

Tomorrow night's scrimmage will be the last opportunity for Bronco fans to see the team on the field before the Idaho State game in two weeks. And if we've learned anything from weekend and evening scrimmages, the we also know that it will be an opportunity for casual fans to hang out, be confused, talk about other things, and distract us.

We would like to change that. There are far too many important matters to be decided and nitpicked in tomorrow night's scrimmage, and we want our full attention to be on the field, not explaining how down and distance works.

Therefore, we've compiled the following user's guide for Boise State's second fall scrimmage tomorrow night (6:00pm at Bronco Stadium). Print it out if you need it, or bring it along to hand out to the people around you. 

• Kellen Moore is the short, left-handed one.
  
  
• Yes, the giant skyboxes and luxury suites are new.
  
  
• Don't boo if someone forces a turnover. That's a good thing.
  
  
• Ian Johnson will not play every down. This does not mean he is hurt.
  
  
• Jeremy Childs was suspended for academic reasons, not burglary, larceny, underage drinking, dogfighting, grand theft auto, or being too cool for school.
  
  
• Please stop asking us where Marty Tadman is.
  
  
• Do not, under any circumstances, start the wave.
  
  
• There may not be a whole lot of scoring. If this is an issue, we believe Pineapple Express is playing at Edwards at 6:30.
   
• Sure, that pink Kyle Wilson jersey looks good on you.
  

[UPDATE] Camp notes: good-bye East Jr. High, hello interceptions

Update 2:45pm: LaDustin files his report from morning practice. "Dear diary, I saw a fox today..."

The Broncos celebrated their final practice at East Junior High this morning with interceptions and popsicles. The IPT's Dave Southorn has the details.

At the end of the early practice, the offense had to run gassers after the defense held the upper hand most of the morning. Raphiel Lambert intercepted Bush Hamdan, while Travis Stanaway picked off Nick Lomax. Hey, at least everyone got popsicles afterward. Really!

Stanaway was mentioned as one of the standout newcomers who might see playing time this fall, and Lambert was a sensational high school running back who seems to be making a rather smooth transition to the defensive backfield. Coach Pete's bullhorn appreciated their effort.

The Broncos will have one more practice this evening before hitting the field tomorrow night for the team's second scrimmage of the fall. The scrimmage will be tomorrow night at 6:00pm, rather than 7:00pm time that had been previously reported. At least, that's what Judy from the Boise State athletics office told us.

We'll update this post as more reports from practice are filed. We are such freeloaders.

Broncos land 11th recruit, find Arizona enticing

The Broncos have landed their eleventh early commitment of the summer, DE Kharyee Marshall from Washington High School (Arizona). Expect the Statesman to confirm this recruit in late September.

The 6'2", 215-pound Marshall recorded 106 tackles and 16 sacks last year from his defensive end position. Ryan Winterswyk and Mike T. Williams nod in approval.

Kharyee Marshall profile [Scout.com]
This one goes to eleven [Fight Fight BSU]

An open letter to Dustin Lapray

Dear Dustin Lapray,

As diehard Boise State fans and admirers of excessively wordy reporting, let us be the first to say thank you for your informative, expressive, and detailed reports from Boise State football practice. What's that? We're not the first to say thank you? The guys at Bronco Country have already erected a paper mache statue to you in the end zone at East Junior High? Our mistake.

In that case, congraulations on winning over the Bronco Nation fan base in such a short amount of time. By our account, David Augusto is still trying. You have managed to fill a niche that was desperately void up until you and your thesaurus (and your bandana!) came traipsing into town.

RE: the thesaurus, we find it fascinating the words that you have used to describe the Broncos' practices, but we are loathe to admit that we may not know the meanings of some of them. Are the following definitions correct?

• Bellow: the sound John Gott makes when he bends over
  
  
• Inglorious: a euphemism for the Idaho State game
  
  
• Emulate: we believe you meant to write "Are you late"
  
  
• Azure: an adjective used to describe the quarterback situation
  
  
• Collusion: a Kyle Brotzman tackle attempt
  

Any help on these definitions would be much appreciated.

Your writing style is certainly unique to the Treasure Valley sports journalism scene, which is probably why you have been met with so much success in these first few weeks. You write as if the fate of the world depended on your ability to fit as many complex sentences into a single paragraph as possible. Seriously, a 40-word sentence? You are all man, Mr. Lapray.

For sure, the Twin Falls Magic Valley Times News must be thrilled to have you on staff. Who wouldn't love a person who can put the following inside joke about graduation orchestral arrangements into a sentence about Doug Martin and DJ Harper?

Neither has the grace of Ian Johnson, but they both got pop, and circumstance to spell the All-American.

LaDustin, you slay us!

We now must wonder whatever will you do for an encore. Your practice prose has been remarkably outstanding, so we are anxious to see what you will do during the football season. Will we be treated to an extemporaneous essay on the virtues of the "Q" offense? Will you write a play based loosely on the Oregon game? Your audience waits on pins and needles and quick-reference dictionaries.

Keep up the good work, DL.

Bellow.

Sincerely,
OBNUG

Ps. Please stop with the vague injury updates (ex. Jeron Johnson may or may not have hurt his foot). We'd hate to have BSU campus security forcibly remove you from practice.

Half-hearted NFL football week two

Week two of the NFL preseason is here. Time for the starters to put in a full quarter-and-a-half of work!

Former Boise State player Kimo von Oelhoffen did not make it out of week one, getting cut by the Philadelphia Eagles for having old knees. Who's going to tell stories about the 1970's at team dinner? Andy Reid made a big mistake.

Here are the best Bronco-related games of the weekend:

Tonight: 

Oakland at Tennessee, 6:00pm, FOX
Chris Carr seeks revenge against his old team by returning the opening kickoff, playing a few downs on defense, and taking a nap on the bench for the third and fourth quarters.

Saturday:

Dallas at Denver, 7:00pm
Orlando Scandrick was impressive in his Cowboys' debut. Ryan Clady was not in his first start for Denver. Needless to say that Woody Paige will be watching with bated breath.

Green Bay at San Francisco, 7:00pm
Korey Hall and Daryn Colledge continue their futile quest to boost Aaron Rodgers' confidence and make him feel like the team is much better off with him rather than Brett Favre.

 Chicago at Seattle, 7:00pm
Seahawks TE Jeb Putzier is battling for playing time at tight end. Fortunately, the good Bears linebackers will be on the field far less than the bad Bears linebackers.

Morning paper: Boise State football links 8/15

The Broncos had an afternoon/evening practice last night, and Dustin Lapray has some details on what went down. Specifically, he points out that Travis Stanaway and Daron Mackey are two newcomers who are getting Coach Pete's attention and that Bush Hamdan should win the starting quarterback job. Sigh. We thought you were different, Dustin.

Here is some more reading material for your day.

Camp notes from the IPT [Press-Tribune]
Two sentences is better than no sentences.

Coach Pete immortalized in Twin Falls newspaper [Times-News]
We would run through a brick wall for him, and we don't even know him.

Tickets still available for home games [Dave's Blog]
The LaTech is not all that popular. Imagine that.

Reggie Larry to start career in Cyprus [KTVB.com]
Good luck in South America...or Europe..or wherever Cyprus is.

Cal Poly could possibly join the WAC [KVNU]
They would immediately be the seventh-best team.

Nick Saban named most powerful coach in sports [Forbes]
USU's Brent Guy named weakest?

Season tickets arrive [Fight Fight BSU]
No wonder the line was so long at Dairy Queen last night. Celebrate!

Odds of winning at Oregon [What If Sports]
Computers say Broncos have 41% chance. Kellen Moore's left arm says otherwise.

Aaron Tevis playing time update [Statesman]
May get to rush the passer in special packages. Fine by us.

Linebackers in focus [Statesman]
Broncos focus on finishing [Press-Tribune]
Chris Carr turning heads in Tennessee [Tennessean]

QB battle: Moore vs. Hamdan: Day 11

The most important decision in the history of the world will be made in the next few weeks, and we'll be providing daily updates on all the hype and hyperbole surrounding the Boise State quarterback competition.

Vs.

Coach Pete spoke about the quarterback race yesterday, but not in the way that anyone had hoped.

Petersen said he didn’t learn anything new about the quarterbacks competing for the starting job, senior Bush Hamdan and freshman Kellen Moore. They continue to split time with the first team.

As much as we want to know who the starter will be, we know that the Bronco coaching staff is doing the right thing by waiting as long as it takes to make sure they pick the right guy. In the meantime, we can keep getting our hopes up that maybe we'll have an answer soon. Like tomorrow?

Offensive coordinator Brian Harsin said the race was similar to last season with both quarterbacks basically in a dead heat, including a so-so first scrimmage. Like last season, the competition will continue for another week at least.

Bummer.

Moore: taught Coach Pete nothing in the first scrimmage
Hamdan: also taught Coach Pete nothing in the first scrimmage

Advantage: Rosetta Stone.

In the lead...Moore. Day 11 of the quarterback competition just happens to match his jersey number. Serendipity?

Nevada preview: hurry before the window closes

Previewing the WAC seems like a good job for an intern. Unfortunately, we do not have an intern. Ugh. Previously: Utah State, Fresno State, Hawaii, SJSU, LaTech. Today: Nevada.

  Nevada

  Team motto: Reno is for winners


The WAC is typically a three-team conference, which is kind of sad considering that nine teams actually play there. In years past, any number of different WAC schools not including the University of Idaho have jumped into the big three alongside the traditional favorites of Boise State and Fresno State.

Might it be Nevada's turn again? Well, it certainly isn't anybody else's!

The Wolf Pack have the look of a stereotypically successful WAC team: high-scoring offense, afterthought defense, and a coach with a name people recognize although they're not sure why. And their performance last season gives the program hope that maybe this year will be the year they win the WAC outright. Aren't they cute when they're unrealistic?

With Colin Kaepernick at quarterback, Luke Lippincott at running back, and the Pistol offense playing the role of crazy Uncle Eddie, this team has all the right ingredients for an entertaining and possibly fruitful season. Just keep Uncle Eddie away from the light bulbs.

Five questions

Luke Lippincott isn't really better than Ian Johnson...is he?
My heart says no, but my 2007 statistical almanac says yes. According to last season's numbers, Lippincott is the WAC's most mathematically excellent back, by way of his conference-best 1420 yards. Johnson still holds the edge in touchdowns, undefeated seasons, and knit beanies, but the emergence of backs like Lippincott are what has the media buzzing about the WAC's new running focus.

Quick! Name one player on the Nevada defense!
Um...er...(stammering)...uhhh...(flipping through Phil Steele's college preview magazine)...

What scares you the most about the Nevada offense?
Plenty of things scare us about the Nevada offense, but perhaps the scariest part of their attack is its insane unevenness. Check out how many points they scored in some of their games last year:

• vs. Nebraska, 10
• vs. UNLV, 20
• vs. Fresno State, 41
• vs. Boise State, 67
• vs. Hawaii, 26
• vs. San Jose State, 24
• vs. LaTech, 49
• vs. New Mexico, 0

The possibility for the Nevada offense to put up a 50-spot on an opposing team is very real. The possibility for them to chunk their way to 20 points is also an option. And you never know which team will show up. Some teams might gameplan to try to stop Kaepernick or Lippincott or WR Marko Mitchell, but they'd be better off prank calling their hotel rooms the night before the game.

If Colin Kaepernick could be any type of weather, what would he be?
Kaepernick is a free spirit who does not like being tied down to expectations or consistency or the pocket. He would be a cloud, roaming free through the beautiful blue sky without a worry in the world. "Why hello, Mr. Sunshine," Kaepernick might say. "Do you mind if I overthrow you on an out route? You don't? Oh happy day!" Clouds don't have to read defenses or put balls on the numbers; they can go wherever they want, whenever they want. And Chris Ault can't do anything about it.

Give me one reason to think that Nevada is not the same old Nevada as always.
The law of averages and this:

Over/unders

+/- 2:1 ratio of pass attempts to rushes for Kaepernick
+/- 69 points Boise State scores against Nevada this season
+/- 0 times the Wolf Pack elect to kick when they win the toss

Nevada could cause a lot of problems for teams this season...teams like Grambling State, Utah State, and Idaho. The rest of their schedule? It's anybody's guess. New Mexico shut out the Wolf Pack in the teams' bowl game last year, and in so doing, the Lobos gave everyone a blueprint on how to slow the Nevada offense. (Tip: the quarterback can't throw.)

No matter how well the WAC schedule plays out for Nevada, their non-conference slate may cost them any chance of BCS talk. They play Texas Tech and Missouri in back-to-back weeks, and chances are good that they won't be able to knock off both Big XII powerhouses. Too bad Baylor was busy.

They do have enough talent to be a solid WAC team, though. On any given day, they can outscore their opponent, and if they find some consistency with the offense and some teeth for the defense, they will be in fine shape. Their visit to Fresno in early November should define their season. If they can get past the Bulldogs, then they can start thinking WAC title...that is, until they play Boise State two weeks later.

Perfect situation

Nevada beats one of the BCS teams on the non-conference schedule, Kaepernick completes more than 50 percent of his passes, Wolf Pack cruises undefeated through the WAC, Lippincott becomes Heisman candidate, Ault and the Pistol offense ride off intot the sunset to live happily ever after

Reality

The Wolf Pack get swept by the BCS teams on their non-conference schedule, Kaepernick turns the Pistol offense into the Wing-T, Nevada cruises through the WAC until Boise State, settles for a Hawaii Bowl appearance

Final record: 8-4 overall, 6-2 conference

Feeling the burn: USC gets the itch

Not the headline you want to see. More puns to follow.

USC dealing with jock itch breakout [FOX Sports]

Clady strong, Scandrick fast in Madden 09

The latest version of Madden was released on Tuesday, much to the dismay of our social calendar. Seriously, between Boise State football and video games, we're booked for the next few months.

While each year brings new features to the game (Cris Collinsworth, anyone?), the updated rosters get people talking just as much as anything else. An 85 overall rating for Matt Leinart? Please. At least it appears that the Madden folks have the numbers right for Boise State's two newest NFL stars.

Ryan Clady

• Overall: 79
• Morale: 95
• Acceleration: 85
• Strength: 87
• Runblock: 80
• Passblock: 88
  

Orlando Scandrick

• Overall: 73
• Speed: 97
• Acceleration: 97
• Awareness: 42
• Man coverage: 79
  
• Zone coverage: 78

Madden lists Clady's catching ability as a 45. They must not have seen the Idaho game.

Player ratings [IGN.com]
Fastest players in Madden [List After List]

Morning paper: Boise State football links 8/14

Woodruff named camper of the day [BroncoSports]
Take that, defensive line!

Recap of evening practice [BSU blog]

It's almost as if you were there.

Sean Bingham and the D-line [Statesman]
The Statesman's position-by-position preview begins.

Jamar Taylor spotlight [Statesman]
Happy to be in Boise so he won't "get in trouble."

Bart Hendricks asks the obvious [ISZ]
O-line should be focus of debate, not quarterback.

It's not easy being a walk-on [Press-Tribune]
Scholarships get the chicks.

Nevada to face BYU in 2010 [ESPN.com]
Oh yeah? Well, Boise State plays Toledo, so there.

Hitting QBs in practice sounds like a bad idea [SI.com]
GaTech QB Josh Nesbitt agrees.

Hawaii QB decision looming [Star Bulletin]
As is the potential for a five-win season.

QB battle: Moore vs. Hamdan: Day 10

The most important decision in the history of the world will be made in the next few weeks, and we'll be providing daily updates on all the hype and hyperbole surrounding the Boise State quarterback competition.

Vs.

The Bronco quarterback competition is into the double digits now, and we are still without a starter for the Idaho State game. Hmm, when we say it like that, it doesn't seem like such a big deal.

Hamdan: Threw a touchdown to Vinny Perretta, threw an interception to Kyle Wilson
Moore: Threw left-handed

Advantage: Push. An interception washes out a touchdown, and left-handed people make us feel awkward.

In the lead...Moore. He's living off his scrimmage performance, which is pretty much all anyone has to go off of now.

[UPDATE] Camp notes: 85-yard TD pass and a Doug Martin sighting

Update: Dustin Lapray has filed his camp report. Tally-ho!

The Broncos are back on the practice field today (Thank goodness! Don't ever leave us again!), and they seem to have recovered well from a listless scrimmage. Touchdown bombs, interceptions, and false starts: at least it wasn't boring.

From Dave's Blog:

There were a heck of a lot more big plays than in recent practices. The defense dominated the first set of 11-on-11, but the offense played well in the middle part of practice, highlighted by a great 85-yard touchdown from Bush Hamdan to Vinny Perretta. That being said, the defense saw a pair of interceptions from Cedric Febis and Kyle Wilson in the final few minutes of practice

One of the picks was thrown by Hamdan, just in case you were getting your hopes up that someone was pulling away in this quarterback race.

While Southorn's report was encouraging, the Statesman's Chadd Cripe brings us some slightly more discouraging news:

Bad snaps, false starts and quick sacks left the offense frustrated.

But it wasn't all bad, right Chadd?

Freshman tailback Doug Martin darted up the middle for 35 yards.

Thanks. That makes us feel better.

The Broncos will have another practice later today, and we'll update this post as needed throughout the afternoon..

OBNUG's 500th post: bring on the carpal tunnel!

We debated for awhile what we would do for our 500th post. A 10,000-word tome on Marty Tadman? An expose into the underbelly of the Boise State ticket office? A Fiesta Bowl haiku? But we decided to celebrate with a small pat on the back and move on to bigger and better Bronco things. Like practices we're not invited to.

We'd like to thank our readers for putting up with our narrow vocabulary that all too often resorts to the word "awesome." We'd like to thank Utah State for their willingness to be the butts of many jokes. But most importantly, we'd like to thank our Boise State Broncos for being the best team in the country to cover and root for. We never imagined that we'd have this much to write about, but we couldn't be happier with the way things have gone for this website. The Broncos will always have our loyalty, long after our keyboards and typing fingers quit working. We've had lots of fun over the past 500 posts, and we look forward to the next 500 (a.k.a. October).

In honor of our 500th post, we'll be revealing a big surprise on Monday (don't worry, we didn't sell out or anything). It will be worth the wait. Stay tuned.

Alex Guerrero visits Bronco podcast

The latest Bronco Nation N.O.W. podcast is up, and it is entirely more professional than ever. Boise State's new Spanish color commentator, Alex Guerrero, paid a visit to discuss Bronco football, sprinting, and how you say "Fresno State is overrated" in Spanish.

Take a listen. Here's the link: Bronco Nation N.O.W. podcast.

Morning paper: Boise State football links 8/13

No practice yesterday? Coach Pete must be getting soft. The Broncos will return to the field today in preparation for their final public scrimmage on Saturday (7:00pm at Bronco Stadium) and we'll bring you the recap later. Let's hope it involves quarterback separation.

BSU individual game tickets on sale tomorrow [Broncosports.com]
Blowouts guaranteed or your money back.

Derrell Acrey feature story [Times-News]
Twin Falls media expects big things.


WAC travel costs are mounting [Statesman]
As is discrepancy between top teams and bottom teams.

Nevada QB enjoys horses a little too much [ESPN.com]
We did not see this story coming.

Sky club photos [Statesman]
Furniture brought to you by Target sale rack.

Enderle eats up Idaho defense in scrimmage [KTVB.com]
Mmm, second-rate defensive backs.

CBS Sportline writer confesses Fresno love [CBS Sportsline]
Also, feel free not to let past precedent get in the way of your predictions.

Seattle Bowl? No thanks. We're good. [Seattle Times]
Sounds like an excuse to get the Washington Huskies into a bowl.

The official website of Colt Brennan [ColtBrennan5.com]
Feel free to check out the Colt forum. Or don't.