By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Boise State freshman tailback Doug Martin has very little experience playing defense.

Martin played linebacker for the last three games of his high school career because a starter was ineligible. That was all the defense he had played until last week, when he got a few plays as a spy linebacker for the Broncos against Utah State.

Martin expects to have a role on defense again this week against Idaho.

The coaches are trying to find ways to use him — he also is one of the Broncos’ top special teams players — until they have more room for him in the tailback rotation.

“I’m being really patient right now,” Martin said.

Martin’s role on defense stemmed from his performance in special-teams drills. The Broncos hoped to get him involved earlier in the season, but a hamstring injury slowed Martin’s progress.

“He’s hard to block because he’s got good speed and he’s so strong,” coach Chris Petersen said. “And he’s got great agility. … The more he’s on the field, the better for the Broncos.”

Said running backs coach Jeff Choate: “He’s as good a football player as we probably have in this program in terms of blocking, tackling, running, catching. If you could get him on your intramural flag football team, you’d have a pretty good deal.”

We’ll have a full feature on Martin in tomorrow’s edition of the Idaho Statesman.

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We're still looking for trophy ideas for the Boise State-Idaho game. We got a couple good ones on Monday. Post here if you've got a good idea (no more potatoes, please!)