By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com
It looks like backup quarterback Bush Hamdan will keep his regular role for Senior Day.
Coach Chris Petersen said he would talk to Hamdan about whether he wanted to play Friday against Fresno State. On Tuesday, Hamdan said he doesn’t like the idea of getting his first start or some playing time with the game still in doubt just because it’s Senior Day.
In fact, he told his parents to go to his brother Gibran’s game with the Buffalo Bills this week instead of coming to Senior Day. Hamdan will have a friend celebrate with him on the field, instead.
“We’ll see if we can get on top of them enough,” Hamdan said. “I’d love to get out there, but it’s not fair to Kellen (Moore). He’s got a game to win. Sometimes it can mess with the rhythm. I’ll be ready to go, God forbid something does happen.”
In fact, Hamdan nearly had to come off the bench last week at Nevada. Moore came up limping after one of the many hits he took.
“He kind of comes over and wants to be the tough guy with me,” Hamdan said. “He’s gotta give me a head’s up — do I stop blowing bubbles and get warmed up? Him and I had that talk.”
Hamdan, who did interviews Tuesday for the first time since August, said he has no regrets about his career or his decision to stay here. He plans to earn his master’s in athletic administration next spring and pursue a job in college coaching.
“I enjoy winning games and being part of the process,” Hamdan said. “… The most difficult part is putting in the hours you put in and not playing. It’d be like going to school and not taking tests.”
We’ll have more from Hamdan later in the week.
•••
Senior tight end Chris O’Neill said Tuesday that he expects to be available to play in the Broncos’ bowl game. O’Neill, who will miss his eighth straight game with a broken foot, originally was told he only had a chance if the Broncos played in a late bowl. Now he says he should be able to play regardless.
O’Neill, the starter, had 10 catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns when he was injured.
His goal for Senior Day: Run onto the field during pregame introductions. He’ll begin running Wednesday.
“It’s going to be a weird day,” O’Neill said. “Being a Bronco has been a huge part of my life.”
•••
I talked to Poinsettia Bowl executive director Bruce Binkowski on Saturday. We reported his interest in the Broncos in Sunday’s paper, but I also talked to him about what Boise State could expect if it played in the Poinsettia Bowl.
Here’s what he had to say:
Teams arrive on Dec. 19 for the game, which is Dec. 23. It is run by the same people who run the Holiday Bowl, widely regarded as one of the best games. One team visits SeaWorld; the other visits the San Diego Zoo. Both teams participate in kart races one day (top speed: 40 mph). The luncheon the day before the game is on the USS Midway Museum, and it features both bands.
“We like to think the Poinsettia Bowl is on the same level of hospitality and entertainment and pageantry (as the Holiday Bowl),” Binkowski said.
In fact, the best compliment Binkowski has received was when former Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick said he couldn’t tell the difference between the two games.
•••
Hamdan was the first Bronco player or coach to say anything other than the company line about the BCS — with the company line being that it’s out of their control.
“If we finish undefeated, it’s a shame if we don’t play in the BCS from a standpoint of we’re a team like everybody else and if we win every game we don’t get a shot,” Hamdan said. “It doesn’t make sense to any of us.”
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A game against BYU or TCU in
A game against BYU or TCU in SoCal on national TV makes more sense from a recruitng perspective than playing Boston College or N Carolina on the blue. We are heavy into SoCal players and, as far as I know, there only one or two east coast players we are talking to.
Hamdan
what a class act. Completely selfless. Bush Hamdan should definitely get playing time if we go up big... heck even if we don't.
RE: Hamdan
Not only a class act, a very smart guy. Get the degree, no one can take that away...
Yea Hamdan!
Yeah - yet another boise player that is just soaked in class and style! I just love what Petersen continues to do with these kids. He's seriously turning out fantastic quality citizens, not just football players. I had to laugh when I read this morning about Pacman Jones and Orlando Scandrick! Who's the one in rehab and who's the one stepping up as a youngster and doing a great job?!
You go Coach Petersen, and Bush - thank you for all you've done over the years here. We all wish you the best in your new academic endeavor.
Playing in Poinsetta Bowl a disgrace
Playing in the Poinsetta Bowl would be a disgrace for an undefeated BSU team. I think they ought to play in something as close to New Years Day as possible. They will too I bet. Go BSSU BRONCOS !!!!!!!
Undefeated BSU equates to
Undefeated BSU equates to what a team that hasn't played 1 team in the top 25......oregon with their 4th best QB wasn't very good. They didn't even throw a pass until late and still almost came back to win. If ya played them now you'd get spanked. BSU would get beat by both Utah or TCU. Can probably stay with BYU.....Those arn't even elite teams....Really no one knows for sure....I feel for the players. They won all their games and a weak conf has killed their legitamcy. Sorry guys....You should demand a tougher schedule. Keep Oregon but lose southern miss. Thats just another weak team from a weak conf. fans deserve better players deserve better. BSU pres has no balls.
Agreed
Boise isn't ready for a BCS bowl this year. Both Oregon and Nevada almost came back to win. Boise has not been that consistent this year. They can't properly finish games. They can't have a consistent run game. This year is not their year. I would rather see Boise in a non-BCS bowl than see a Hawaii repeat.
It saddens me to see how many fans regret to see reality.
BOTH OF
you are clueless. Frist of all it was Oregon's 3rd string QB who has elevated his play to become first string, so that settles that stupid argument. I guarantee you that if Boise State didn't beat Utah and TCU it would be close down to the wire, and Boise State hasn't be consistent this year! Have you watch any games? Their defense has been more consistent that any of those other 3 teams I've mentioned. Allowing 12.5 points per game isn't bad and take into account that against Nevada the D only gave up 20 and held the nations leading rushing offense to less that half their average. Don't bring in stupid post when its clear you don't know what your talking about! Yeah lose Southern Miss. Is it Boise's fault that Southern MIss was picked by the coaches and media to win their conference this year? NO! I know its a tired argument but I love the fact that Boise State is the youngest team in the top 25, beautiful!
Undefeated BSU.........
What "HUMAN" in there "right mind", would even say such a foolish thing as Utah or TCU could beat us....We will beat Utah, TCU, and BYU on the same day......If we weren't so nice and shut down our offense & change to soft defense when we get the LEAD NO ONE could hang with us. WE wont / can't do that to a bowl team so BRING IT ON.....If UTAH gets to play a top notch team and get Blasted (cause they will) you'll see what the rest of the BCS voters LACK (COMMON SENSE / KNOWLEDGE).....The Football Field is 100 yds in the WAC, just like it is in every other league...You get 6pts when youcross the goal lone, like every other league ...If were so inferior bring one of your TOP NOTCHers on to take a BSU Bronco BEAT DOWN........We aren't Scared, BUT SOMEONE (Media / BCS) IS!!!!!!!!!
Out of touch
When you post comments like this the credibility of your opinion flies right out the window. Do you realize all three of the schools you mentioned have better strength of schedules than BSU? In fact, the Broncos schedule is ranked #90.
http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/polls/119
Common sense would say a very high percentage of teams in college football would go undefeated with BSU's schedule. Here's a little bit of knowledge for you...Utah has beat three top 25 programs? Now, who in their right mind would think BSU could take on BYU (it would be a good game), TCU (Horned Frogs by two TD's) or Utah (Utes by 20) and win? I would love, I mean LOVE, for the Broncos to be matched up against one of those MWC teams in a bowl.
I THINK
your name says it all! People like you take the beginning and end and leave out the middle. I don't care what you guys think when you say Utah by 20????????????? Whatever
BS University is a joke
The team is overrated, when they play a harder schedule and if they win, then respect will come. However, as long as they dodge real competetion then respect will be lacking. I hope they go to the truck stop bowl where they belong.
Call it as it is......
WHEN YOU'RE SCARED SAY YOU'RE SCARED......you AND the BCS is scared of BSU.....JOKE THAT !!!!!!!! Which team are you BANDWAGONNING???????? We'll PLAY your (fair weather) team....OH, That's right , They are SCARED of US!!!!!!!!!
howdy, by chance I read an
howdy, by chance I read an item on line here on computer in Fort Worth that was out of someplace in Calif that mentioned TCU, which happens to be here, and my alma, is going to be in some bowl with BSU right before Xmas. Hope its a fun game wherever. The local news coverage for college ball in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area is plain BAD and unless some Cowboy player is in jail or needing emotional processesing-- the sports coverage on TCU and bowl oppositons is scant. Have a good time wherever BSU ends up
who's out of touch?
how many of Utah's "quality" wins were out of conference OR on the road? ONE! (Same as BSU)
Utah was lucky to beat TCU which is better than both BYU and Utah. They would be the only quality opponent mentioned for a bowl match-up with the Broncos. I'd like to see BSU in a BCS game (sure, they probably/possibly would lose but they possibly would not and would get the big game experience everyone seems to think they need).
If BSU plays TCU and wins in a bowl game, they start the next season ranked ahead of Utah (who will get creamed unless they play the Big East again). Then they go through next season, end up in a BCS game and (if these youngsters continue to grow)they will be on an even playing field with another BCS conference team. Makes for a great match up.
i hope they take the best possible bowl experience, enjoy it, win, recruit the hell out of the other regional teams and come back hungry next year.
go broncos!
Frog you're so right. TCU
Frog you're so right. TCU was so much better than Utah. So much, in fact, that they lost to them. And Utah is so bad that they beat Oregon State the week after they beat a pretty good USC team. Give me a break.
BCS is good or better than not
I see lots of complaints about the BCS. If it were back in the days before the BCS, Boise would barely be breaking the top twenty five and probably not that. BYU did get a national championship under the old system but they played good ball aginst national talent and there has been realinement of conferences since then. The BCS has been good in makeing the big bowls available to sub-prime conferences. This is especially true after the addition of the fifth bowl. At that the emphases on SOS was reduced because it favored the SEC and PAC-10, that then made it easier for the Sub-primes to go to one of the big games.
Hamdan
I attended BSU in 2006 & 2007 and took several classes with Bush. He is a great student as well as a gifted athlete. I have been most impressed with the way he has handled himself during the competition for the QB position each of the last two years. He has continued to be an asset to the team even after Taylor Tharp & Kellen Moore won the starting job. I think Bush's understanding of what it takes to be a "team" will go a long way towards making him a great coach in the future. It's been an honor know Bush and watch him continue to grow.