Monday, Oct. 26, 2009

Boise State notebook: ESPN show could come to Boise for Vandals game

Boise State, Idaho coaches both named to Bear Bryant coach of the year watch list.

By BY CHADD CRIPE

The Boise State-Idaho game is under consideration as the site of the Nov. 14 edition of ESPN's College GameDay show, the WAC and ESPN confirmed Monday.

The popular Saturday morning preview show was in Provo, Utah, last week for TCU-BYU and will be in Eugene, Ore., this week for USC-Oregon.

GameDay never has appeared at a WAC venue, WAC commissioner Karl Benson said. The 2004 Boise State-Fresno State game was under consideration until the Bulldogs stumbled leading up to the game.

"It would be a pretty special event and they've always indicated that they'd like to get to Boise sometime," Benson said.

The biggest competition on Nov. 14 likely is Iowa-Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio. That game could determine the Big Ten title if Ohio State beats Penn State on Nov. 7.

Other prospects that weekend likely include Florida-South Carolina, Notre Dame-Pittsburgh and Utah-TCU.

It likely would help Boise State's cause if Idaho (6-2) wins at least one of its next two games and Penn State beats Ohio State.

SLUGGISH SALES; HALLOWEEN

Fans can purchase four tickets in the south end zone for the price of three for Boise State's home game Saturday against San Jose State (1:07 p.m., KTVB). The deal is only available at idahotickets.com.

About 1,800 tickets remain, mostly in the south end zone. Boise State added 1,500 bleacher seats there in the offseason.

Only singles remain for the Idaho game. About 1,800 are left for Nevada (Nov. 27) and about 3,400 are left for New Mexico State (Dec. 5).

To celebrate Halloween on Saturday, fans can pick up Boise State player masks at the stadium Bronco Shop for free on game day. Boise State ordered 5,000.

Also, adults and children are invited to trick or treat at noon in Taco Bell Arena. The event is free, with men's and women's basketball players handing out candy.

And fittingly, the color scheme is an orange-out.

AWARDS DAY

Monday was a day of accolades for the Boise State football program.

Sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore was named one of 15 semifinalists for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.

Coach Chris Petersen was named to the watch list for the Bear Bryant coach of the year award that he won in 2006. The list of 20 coaches includes Idaho coach Robb Akey.

Plus, safety Jeron Johnson was named the WAC defensive player of the week (two interceptions, fumble recovery) and kicker/punter Kyle Brotzman was named the special teams player of the week (four field goals, 72-yard punt, completion on fake punt).

The Broncos' internal players of the week were tailback Matt Kaiserman (offense), Johnson (defense), Brotzman (special teams), left tackle Nate Potter (lineman), special-teamer Hazen Moss (Hammer), tailback Malcolm Johnson (scout offense), linebacker Dave Wilson (scout defense) and cornerback Ebo Makinde (scout special teams).

BCS BANTER

Petersen, as usual, did his best to shrug off Bowl Championship Series talk during his weekly press conference Monday. The Broncos slipped from No. 4 to No. 7 on Sunday after a 54-9 win at Hawaii.

"(The players) would be frustrated if they paid attention to that stuff," Petersen said. "That's why we don't pay attention to that stuff."

To Petersen, the BCS isn't an issue for another five or six weeks.

"Until then, it's just a bunch of drama that a lot of people like to get caught up in," he said.