Coach Andy Avalos set the table for Boise State’s Spring Game Saturday with a press conference Wednesday. And as curious as everybody is about the Broncos’ quarterback derby, Avalos returns to recurring themes when he talks about Hank Bachmeier and Jack Sears.
21st century tale of two mid-majors
The rise of Gonzaga basketball and Boise State football basically began at the same time, in 1999. That’s when the Bulldogs made their first magical run to the Elite Eight, and the Broncos won their first Division I conference championship and bowl game.
The importance of in-person fandom
I think it’s becoming clear what’s important to Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey. Bodies in the seats. Dickey talks constantly about sellouts in Albertsons Stadium this fall, and he’s helping the process along by bringing back the Blue Collar Pass.
Spreading Shakir’s big-play wealth
Bill Connelly’s college football feature at ESPN.com at the end of last week was “The most explosive college football players for 2021.” When I got to “Best deep ball catchers,” I saw Nevada’s Romeo Doubs at No. 5. I decided to scroll on.
Rip-roarin’ recruiting start
We had become accustomed to Bryan Harsin’s “Go Broncos” tweets when Boise State would land a new commitment. Andy Avalos introduced “Bleed Blue” Thursday, as in “#BL22DBLUE.”
Avery Williams flies in the 40
Avery Williams’ calling card at Boise State was as a kick returner, and he finished his career as a two-time Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year.
The NBA Bronco: Chandler Hutchison 2.0
Reviews on Chandler Hutchison’s Washington debut Monday night are glowing, and that’s especially notable after what this season was like for him in Chicago.
A second WR wave in 2021?
We’ve jotted down a lot of Andy Avalos-isms in his 2½ months at Boise State. This is one that stuck with me at the outset of spring football: “No question, we’ll have a six-deep (at wide receiver).”
Empty at the end
It was clear-sailing at the start as Boise State built a 15-5 lead Thursday night. But then there were increasing clouds, and the Memphis defensive storm hit.
Memphis makes you miss
Shot-making—traditional, untraditional, acrobatic, long-range, in the paint—will be at a premium for Boise State in the NIT quarterfinals against Memphis tonight.

