By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Boise State still hasn’t learned the extent of injuries to defensive end Shea McClellin and center Thomas Byrd, coach Chris Petersen said Monday.

McClellin could be out for as little as one week, Petersen said, “or it could be much longer.” He is not expected to play this week at Nevada.

The Broncos still hope to have Byrd available this week, Petersen said, but he is being evaluated. Left guard Andrew Woodruff should be fine, Petersen said.

Cory Yriarte, who has started at center and guard and missed the past three games, should be available this week.

“We’re hoping to get him back in the mix this week,” Petersen said. “We’ll get him out there tomorrow and see what he can do.”

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The offensive line won the Hammer for its performance in Saturday’s win against Idaho — but almost didn’t get to carry the Hammer onto the field for the Nevada game.

Tailback Doug Martin “Hammered” the Idaho logo Saturday, a display that was a hot topic in a team meeting Sunday.

“I don’t think anyone knew that was going to happen,” Petersen said of the pregame display that fired up the Vandals. “I don’t think Doug knew that was going to happen. I think it was a spur of the moment bad decision. … The Hammer was very close to getting grounded for the rest of the season.”

Woodruff likely will lead the Broncos onto the field with the Hammer this week, Petersen said.

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The Broncos won’t shy away from trick plays just because a fake field goal against Idaho backfired when not every player heard the call.

“We want our opponents to know we’ll be extremely aggressive, we will fake everything and keep the pressure on,” Petersen said. “If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. We’re still going to try something later.”

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Once again, Petersen wouldn’t bite on a question about whether he cares what happens in Saturday’s BYU-Utah game.

“You’re too far ahead of me,” he said.

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Former Boise State defensive coordinator Brent Guy has been fired toward the end of his fourth season as the coach at Utah State.

Utah State will hold a press conference at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Guy said on the WAC coaches conference call.

“I would have liked to have been able to finish my contract, but that was not my decision,” Guy said. “… It’s about production and wins on the field. We had some opportunities this year that got away from us. I wish we could have won those games and I could have finished out the project that I started a few years ago.”

Utah State is 2-9 overall, 2-5 WAC this season. The Aggies blew fourth-quarter leads against Fresno State and Louisiana Tech. They beat Idaho and Hawaii.

Guy is 8-38 in four seasons. The Aggies have this week off and finish Guy’s tenure next week against New Mexico State.

Guy already has informed his players of his ouster.

“I hopefully have coached them that it’s about production,” Guy said. “That’s the way we handle guys on the football field and that’s the way life is.”

Utah State athletic director Scott Barnes said Guy had not made enough progress to keep his job.

“Brent has undoubtedly made some progress during his four years but the program has yet to established any significant or consistent momentum nor has that progress translated into wins,” Barnes said. “I feel a change in leadership at this critical time in our program’s history will help us create and sustain a new level of success.”

At least two other WAC coaches are under fire this season — New Mexico State’s Hal Mumme and Fresno State’s Pat Hill.

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Boise State true freshman defensive end Byron Hout was named the WAC defensive player of the week Monday. Hout had five tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble that turned into a touchdown last week at Idaho.

The offensive player of the week was Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick (147 yards and two TDs rushing, 192 yards and one TD passing) and New Mexico State kickoff returner Chris Williams (96-yard TD).