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.

Spring football recap: Day One

Boise State football practice was the place to be Monday afternoon as the Broncos kicked off spring ball. Bears coach Lovie Smith as well as BSU alumni Ryan Clady, Orlando Scandrick, Daryn Colledge, and Ryan Dinwiddie were on hand to watch the first practice of the 2008 Bronco squad.

Chadd Cripe reports that the emphasis on tempo was noticeable throughout practice, and the players seemed to buy into the new approach.

Petersen made sure his push for a quicker pace at practice was understood from the start. When players ran to form a huddle around him after stretching, he made them do it again.

They hadn't moved quickly enough.

The rest of practice was crisply run, with little wasted time and the offense cutting back on huddles.

"Everybody in the country is going to show up in spring ball and have a good first day in terms of effort and attitude," Petersen said. "The whole trick is to be consistent and persistent every day."

Also encouraging was the fact that three Boise State running backs finished among the best conditioned athletes on the team in a new system designed by strength coach Tim Socha. Ian Johnson, D.J. Harper, and Doug Martin were three of the five players to reach the highest level of the conditioning program. Harper ran a team-best 4.43 40-yard dash.

First impressions from BSU's first practice [Idaho Statesman]

Rent out BSU's practice facility

The Idaho Statesman ran a story today about the success of Boise State's practice facility, which apparently can be rented out by anyone for any reason. Hopefully this rule excludes Idaho Vandals.

Oh, and as a personal note to Chadd Cripe: please, no more Dan Hawkins quotes in any story ever. Thanks.

Sport Complex becomes popular community facility [Idaho Statesman]

Bronco Stadium too small

Hawaii led the WAC in attendance in 2007, thanks in part to a successful year but mostly because of its giant stadium. Cheaters. Fresno State was second, averaging over 36,000 per game, and Boise State came in third at 30,338 per contest.

Considering that capacity at Bronco Stadium is 30,000 people, BSU fans were doing all they could to pack the house every game. The stadium just isn't big enough.

Cripes reported in the Statesman this week that the new construction project at the stadium is right on schedule, and when it is completed this summer, it will raise the capacity to 32,000. No doubt the new addition will be wonderful. We can't wait to see it. But we also can't wait to see the South end zone closed in.

Let's get it done, BSU administration. We don't like losing to Hawaii and Fresno in anything.

Construction on Bronco Stadium right on schedule [Idaho Statesman]
UH ranks 51st in FBS football attendance [University of Hawaii]

Is Chadd Cripe on vacation?

The Idaho Statesman is getting with the future by blogging Letter of Intent Day (LOI) on its website. Brian Murphy of the popular(?) Murph's Turf column kicked things off yesterday, and he already has a few posts up this morning. He seems like a nice guy, and if he's getting up at 7:30 to post BSU info, then he is okay in my book. Take a look at some of the hot leads:

Chris Potter made his decision to attend Boise State in June — and never
wavered.

He's breaking news from June! Amazing!

In all seriousness, though, Murphy might have some good stuff up there today, so we would recommend checking it out. That is, if you don't already know everything from having read sites like Scout.com and Rivals.com.

National Signing Day blog [Idaho Statesman]