You won't hear Idaho second-year coach Robb Akey calling Boise State anything but the Broncos this season. Last year, Akey caused a minor uproar when he referred to Boise State as the "donks," short for donkeys.
It caused a mini-controversy as Boise State president Bob Kustra felt compelled to respond.
So this year, Akey is taking a higher road.
"Whatever that terminology was that was used, I wasn’t the first one to use that terminology and probably won’t be the last one," Akey said Monday during a press conference with reporters from around the state. "Look at the nature of the way that thing came out, there was nothing intended by it."
Akey used the term during several rivalry week interviews before last year's game.
"It's just the rivalry and he’s having fun with it," Boise State coach Chris Petersen said Monday, defending his counterpart. "It's part of the rivalry, part of the gig."
Idaho hosts Boise State on Saturday in Moscow.
Boise State has won nine straight games in the rivalry, including last year's 58-14 win at Bronco Stadium.
"I'm thinking we’ve got a better football team going into this game (than last year) and I think they’ve got a better football team going into it," Akey said.
"We have a responsibility to turn this into a rival game again. Maybe I'm not supposed to say that. Boise people will be mad that we even think we can win this game."
Despite the lopsided nature of the rivalry over the last decade, Petersen said the Broncos still consider this game their rivalry game.
"It always will be," Petersen said.
• ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach writes that "Boise State hasn't done enough this season to deserve another chance to do it (win the Fiesta Bowl). Check out the entire column here.
• Last week's Name the Score winners:
Boise State defeated Utah State 49-14. We had a lot of close guesses, but the winners of the $20 gift certificate from Domino's Pizza are:
— NikkiS and bishgish who both picked 48-13. There were a lot of duplicate guesses this week — 49-10 was a popular (and close) one. Congrats to the winners and thanks to everyone for playing. We'll do it again this week.
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Akey Breaky Heart...
"I think that we've got a better football team going into this game..." The fact that those words even escaped his mouth tells me all I need to know about the level of denial that takes place at times in Moscow. Now in reality, he knows that is not the case, but you have to say what the local boosters want to hear.
Jack and Daniel's dad was in rare form at this press conference.
misinterpretation
I think he means as compared to last year's team, rather than as compared to the Broncos . . . just like I think he means the Bronco team is better this year than last. It was a compliment to both 2008 squads.
Thank you...
someone can read and comprehend. That is exactly what he meant.
Tomellen
The part about last year was not in there in the original post...I read it 4 or 5 times to make sure I wasn't jumping to conclusions. The Statesman knows that part wasnt in there before. It was not omitted to create controversy however.
Do what you say, say what you mean/one thing leads to another.
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If this had been an actual troll post the attention seeking you just read would've been followed by screaming, name-calling and cutting and pasting for no apparent reason. We now return you to the Idaho Statesman already in progress.
You have to be kidding
Its only Monday but the pure arrogance of the Vandals are as high as ever. People in Boise are mad thinking you can win this game? Akey, usually people dont get mad at jokes, they laugh. But considering your serious and that you run your mouth, and have no class, another beat down is coming. Typical Vandal to blame someone else for calling names.
Tell me proud Vandal alumni all the wonderful things about your Vandal football team. All I have ever seen is garbage, both on and off the field.
I know its hard Vandals, but the definition of class is Coach Pete. Look at the disparity in the comments. Your higher education should teach you that.
Tell me
are you as bitter of a person in real life as you are on the internet?
Calling the opposing team garbage, both on and off the field, is having no class in book.
Our football team
is 9-0 so Im so bitter.
Very thought-provoking reply.
Our team is 2-8. Yes, we're well aware.
Everything you said in your previous post says that you're bitter about something. You sound like one of those fans who can't even hear the words "University of Idaho" without rolling your eyes. That screams bitter to me more than anything.
P.S. What year did you graduate from BSU?
Well if
he is bitter then I'm happy to be bitter too. You my kids had a candy from halloween and it caused my eyes to water bc it was so sour and I thought to myself, "man this is way better then saying.........ok I didn't say it. That team up north is a disgrace! But hey I'm a bitter happy bronco fan and its rivalry week and we going to put a beat down again so life is good!
B.S.
Get over the "what year did you graduate from BSU" garbage. What does that have to do with anything? So unless you have a degree framed on your office wall you can't be a fan? UofI has a team that ONLY alum feel obligated to support and not very well. Why is it bad to have a fan base from other than alum? My wife and I both attended BSU, she received her degree there and I had to finish from Colorado State, can I not be a BSU fan? My parents became BSU fans because I went there, is that not allowed under your rules? What about my kids? They like BSU too.
UofI would be lucky to have a program that people wanted to support and not be the laughing stock they are.
All Y'All - GROW UP!
Sheesh! Our daughter is going to U of I next year. She's bursting with anticipation and cannot wait. We're very happy for her! She's a brilliant kid with full ride offers, but she's taking U of I because it is a really good school in a fun campus town.
Now, their football team sucks. OK, we know that, so let's move on! We are season ticket holders here in Boise. Have been for years and will continue to be so long as we can afford it. We love following Bronco sports. I wear my blue and orange jacket back east when I travel, and get lots of conversations out of it! (Other football fans dig BSU too, it ends up. Who'd have thunk...)
SO - having said all that, having admitted our daughter is going to be a Vandal (which we tease her about and she dishes it up just as good!) I can truly say that the Bronco and Vandal fans who are getting in actual bad moods about this are being about as infantile as a person can get. The Vandals are not going to consistently beat Boise any time soon. It's a matter of recruiting, folks. We just get better kids in here. Our coaching staff is pretty close to as good as it gets. Coach Pete was a coach of the year his first year. We have discipline on and OFF the field (and I love that as much as the winning) and our program is very tough to beat in our conference. So Idaho - just sit back and enjoy the progresses your Vandals have made this year. You've actually come real close on a couple games and that is good. But stop it with the name calling and all that childish crap. You're probably going to get beat this weekend. Quit taking it as a personal afront and Deal with it!
Don't worry about being
Don't worry about being bitter JL. It comes with age. hehe
Listening to my co-workers, I can't help but imagine how funny the looks on their faces would be if Idaho wins. The thought is almost enough to put a smile on my face.
Don't hold your breath
The thought of U of I winning is hilarious but it's not going to happen. Just try to imagine the look on Akey Breakey's face when the "donks" beat him again. That should be entertaining enough.
Something to be bitter about
Something to be bitter about is Schlabach. Give the Broncos some credit please!!
Its not bitter
Calling a spade a spade is what it is! Vandals are terrible and noone would trade places with them. However one mans trash is another mans treasure, so seems like your pretty rich!
There's a difference
between saying they're a bad football team, and that they're garbage on and off the field.
I better clarify
dm038, I find it ironic you Vandal fans crush the city of Boise and its fans of the local team. The Vandals build facilities next to BSU and throw parties on "Bronco" game day even when their own team doesn't play that Saturday.
Your coach, to fuel the fire of the rivalry (cus there isnt really one on the field) called us "Donkeys." Now your fans do, and Akey puts the blame on someone else.
You, being the representative of our great state by name, have been the worst football team in America this decade. And yet, you spew "garbage" any and all chance you get.
Our programs are in exact opposite directions, and flying farther at light speed. My apologies Walmart and Walgreens still show the Fiesta Bowl. Thats the only thing stagnant about Bronco Nation.
BSU undergrad 2000 UofI grad degree 2002 and StaCard grad degree 2005
Maybe I'm missing something
but I don't see Akey spewing any "garbage" in his quotes above.
Also, the Vandals are "crushing" Boise? Give me a break. The Water Center could be further away, but that's it. Throwing parties on game day? Give me ONE example of this.
There all the ones
who have yellow underneath there BoiseState gear. I acutally saw a car in the parking lot with a team up north lisence plate. lol..
dm038
you're falling into JL's trap. he sits and trolls over anything UI and pukes his (assuming there's a pair down there) hate for everyone to cringe upon.
half the reason people's emotions get the best of them in this rivalry is because of immaturity that is perpetrated like the above example. its like arguing with a baby. its best to say "you're right" and walk away.
broncos are happy because they have athletics and love their blue collar life. vandals are happy because we are educated and work in climate controlled offices... year round. and nothing is going to change that.
and i do feel that it is good to have a rivaly and love of your team. but the lengths that JL goes to is bordering on barbaric. i have a feeling this post is going to crawl under his skin...
A prime example of
A prime example of immaturity would be throwing out snewdy, inaccurate, comments about UofI alum/fans being more educated than BSU fans. But then again, in all your maturity, you probably threw that out there in an attempt to promote civility and peace, as a non-troll. There couldn't possibly be any of us that are not only happy we have superior athletics, but also are well educated and work in climate controlled offices...year round. The fact you made that statement shows how educated you truly are.
Im curious
does a vehicle with both air and heat count as climate control?
Go Broncos!
Only if used during the
Only if used during the proper seasons. If you use the air during winter, then it becomes climate out-of-control, and that no longer will qualify you.
If it's bitter make it Irish coffee.
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If this had been an actual troll post the attention seeking you just read would've been followed by screaming, name-calling and cutting and pasting for no apparent reason. We now return you to the Idaho Statesman already in progress.
Thanks, Joe, for the
Thanks, Joe, for the clarification. As a Vandal fan, I don't have any hope that the Vandals will win. Yep, Boise has a better football team. But, I've continued to be impressed with what Akey is trying to accomplish with the young team he has and I DO have hope that the Vandals will get better with time.
So, Broncos, enjoy your weekend and congrats on the good season you have had this year.
THANK YOU Trixie07!
Now HERE is an example of a good Vandal Fan! All you others - take note. Trixie07 - thank you for your input. I've written before, I'd love to see the Vandals win 11 games each year - just not this one! : )
Don't Compare....
I don't think that any Vandal in his right might wants to get into a comparison between Petersen and Akey.
Agreed, Trixie
I am also a Vandal and am realistic that our chances are slim. I agree with JLandon that Coach Pete is the definition of class. He is a solid coach who has never been anything but classy. It's too bad when people's words are misconstrued, which is all too easy in typed (rather than spoken) word. I'll say this about the Bronco football program: it is a shining example of what a football program is capable of being. Unfortunately, it's fans (on both sides) that make the rivalry more than it should be.
I agree
This is one of the nastier rivalries, even more so than WSU-UW IMO.
yep
This one and Utah-BYU are as bitter as any I've seen. Much worse than OU-Texas.
BSU VS Idaho
If readers have been around long enough they will remember the hateful, mean spirited, destructive behavior and rhetoric coming from the Vandal alums and supporters over the last few decades. These people even influenced their pet and defintley biased Board of Ed members at the time to not allow Boise to move up to D1 which of course, would have left Idaho in 1AA. BSU President John Kaiser was fired because of his protests about the uneven treatment meted out to BSU. While some may look upon Akey's new found "civility" as professionalism, others look at it as just being humiliated often enough to shut him up so he doesn't look any worse than he already does.
Akey's "donkey" remark was a compliment
Lets look at what he was actually trying to imply. Donkey Facts:
Donkeys - can live for over 50 years
Donkeys - are very strong and intelligent
A donkey - is stronger than a horse of the same size
Donkeys - have an incredible memory
Donkeys - are not easily startled (unlike horses) and have a keen sense of curiosity
Donkeys - have a reputation for stubbornness but this is due to their highly developed sense of self preservation. It is difficult to force or frighten a donkey into doing something it sees as contrary to its own best interest or safety
Donkeys - are more independent in their thinking than horses and will reason, then make decisions based on their safety
Vandal facts:
- A person who needlessly destroys or damages other people's property; Of the particular ancient Germanic tribe; Carelessly destructive
- Someone who willfully destroys or defaces property
- Someone who answers or replaces good answers with nonsense, obscene remarks, and/or gibberish. In other words, vandals like to post things that have no value at all
Conclusion:
Akey thinks BSU fans are Strong, Intelligent, have good memory, Stubborn, Curious, Independent, and self preserved.
And vandals are:
- Carelessly destructive
- Speaks nonsense/gibberish (WOW, This is soooo True)
Awesome!
thats the best post I've ever read!
That is
called smack talk-Love it!!
Those last points aren't bad. They work well for lawyers...
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If this had been an actual troll post the attention seeking you just read would've been followed by screaming, name-calling and cutting and pasting for no apparent reason. We now return you to the Idaho Statesman already in progress.
generalizations
If Idaho was mean-spirited in the past and/or present, it's likely just the same going the other way. One can only control one's self. I choose not to be one of the rude people. Control what you can control and, like water off a duck's back, let the rest go.
Funny how
losing and being very bad at most sports bring fans to humility.
Funny how
a football team winning a few games brings out the sheer arrogance in fans of said team (most of who, by the way, have no affliation with the school)
Dear funny
I am tired of hearing how BSU fans have no affiliation. Most of my friends at our tailgate graduated from BSU.
Why do I hear this comment so often?
Class of 87. B.S. in C.J. Admin.
You BS and administer old Jeeps?
That is actually admirable, as Jeeps Rule. Rock On!
F.O.
I'm gunna say it again, you have way too much fun with this. And oh yeah, these comment boards are no place for sarcasm.
Is
that how they say four in Texas, I had to read into that to get F. Off. Made me laugh I Chit. Don't worry he's from Oregon, East Oregon, where the rejects from Idaho go. The real Oregonians are from Hood River west.
Take Note: My cousin's from Baker and the reject joke is an inside joke so all you E. Or. people don't take offense.
Whose
arrogant! I didn't go to BSU but since I've lived in the valley for 29 years and have been a fan for that amount of time since my parents had season tickets I suppose I have a right to be a fan of BSU. I merely post facts and in a few post love to point out my opinion, especially when I know its a good opinion lol!
Please provide the rules on
Please provide the rules on being a fanatic. I would like to see a stipulation that directs a person to only be a fan of a team that they have some "affiliation" to. As a Boise State fanatic, I understand that I am affiliated with the team/program by the mere fact that I am a fanatic! Being an alumn(2005) does not make me any more a fanatic of Boise State than my fellow Bronco Fanatic that is not an alum.
I can give you a prime
I can give you a prime example. Anyone else read the story about the Alabama-LSU rivalry that ended in someone getting killed? It was in the Statesman today.
Willing to kill someone is a prime definition of a fanatic fan
Perhaps you missed the
Perhaps you missed the point. I was asking for rules on when you can or cannot be a fanatic of a certain team. BTW... "Fan" is short for "Fanatic". So a "Fanatic Fan" is just a fan.
The Alabama-LSU fans involved in that tragedy, were just dumb. And their issues obviously were greater than being fanatics of opposing teams.
I didn't miss the point. The
I didn't miss the point. The word fan may be derived from fanatic, but they do not mean the same thing
sports fanatic n. A person marked or motivated by an extreme, unreasoning enthusiasm, as for a cause
sports fan n : an enthusiastic devotee of sports
I'm suprised more of you
I'm suprised more of you arent complaining about getting no respect from the media. A guy comes out and says you guys play garbage teams and you ignore him to focus on talking trash about the worst team in D1? Truth hurts BSU fans
U
just called your team the worst team in D1 football. Way to talk about your team.