By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Lyle Smith — the legendary Boise Junior College football coach and Boise State athletic director — stopped by the Broncos’ football practice Monday on the field that bears his name.

Coach Chris Petersen spotted Smith and halted practice, gathering his players at midfield. When the players broke the huddle, they trotted over to Smith and one-by-one shook his hand and wished him a happy birthday.

They even sang to him.

Smith, who still lives in Boise, celebrated his 92nd birthday Monday.

•••

Freshman quarterback Kellen Moore has gotten his first real chance to run the Boise State offense this spring, and he looks like he belongs.

Moore, the record-setting quarterback from Prosser, Wash., spent last fall running the scout team. He and the other redshirts scrimmaged once a week, their only chance to run the Broncos’ plays.

In spring ball, Moore — like all the quarterbacks — has had chances to work with the first-team offense.

“I really tried to study the offense this offseason so it felt like coming in wasn’t a first-time thing,” he said.

His first impression of the offense: “Just the variety of stuff we run. We do a lot of different things, which is fun. It always keeps your mind turning.”

Moore, one of four quarterbacks competing for the starting job, impressed teammates with his commitment.

“He’s just always hungry,” freshman center Thomas Byrd said. “Every day I’m in there trying to watch some footage, he’s in there. The kid is always trying to learn something new every day. He comes to practice with a wonderful mindset and really gets after it.”

•••

The Broncos are experimenting with some significant new wrinkles to the offense this spring, including an idea borrowed from a WAC rival.

Read more about the new ideas in Tuesday’s edition of the Idaho Statesman.