By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com
© 2011 Idaho Statesman

LAS VEGAS — Boise State football coach Chris Petersen said the Broncos’ move to the Big East in 2013 will create better exposure for his program — both on TV and in stadiums in parts of the country where they haven’t played.

“It’s going to help the Boise brand,” he said at the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas.

As he did throughout the process, Petersen said he trusted President Bob Kustra and Interim Athletic Director Curt Apsey to make the right decision for the future. The Broncos will compete in the Big East in football and the WAC in most other sports.

“Those guys did hours and hours and days and days of homework and we trust those guys tremendously,” Petersen said. “We think in the big picture, in the long run, this is going to be a good move for us.

“We’re kind of that unique program anyway that we’ve got these unique pockets (of fans) all over the country and so now we’re going to take our team there. That’s something. I think the TV situation is going to be much different than we’re in now.”

Petersen said the travel in the Big East won’t be a significant issue. The Broncos will play at San Diego State every other year, likely at Houston or SMU every year, likely at Cincinnati or Louisville every year and at one or two true Eastern teams.

“It will be a little bit of an inconvenience, but there’s always an inconvenience somehow, some way, with whoever you play,” he said.

•••

When Boise State senior wide receiver Tyler Shoemaker made his school-record 15th touchdown catch of the season in the regular-season finale against New Mexico at Bronco Stadium, a debate ensued with the nearest official.

Shoemaker went to the official and told him he was going to keep the ball, a moment captured in the attached photo.

Photo credit: Statesman staff
Tyler Shoemaker lobbies an official to keep the ball from his record-setting touchdown catch.

“He was trying to snag it from me,” Shoemaker said. “I said, ‘Hey, man, I’m keeping this.’ He said, ‘Hey, man, give it here.’ I said, ‘This is a record ball,’ and he said, ‘Oh, OK.’ ”

The ball was presented to Shoemaker as an award at the team banquet. Quarterback Kellen Moore also broke a school record on that play, throwing his 40th TD pass of the season. Moore broke his own record.

“It was perfect that we both got to break a record on the same play,” Shoemaker said.

Here is the feature I wrote on Shoemaker for today’s paper.

A few leftover notes from my reporting:

— Shoemaker never has forgotten his suspension for the 2008 Poinsettia Bowl for violating a team rule. It was a painful moment for a player who otherwise has a clean reputation in the program, having graduated early and become a leader. How often does he think about that mistake? “Every day. Every day. Some of the worst times in your life are what define you. That’s how you respond and bounce back from those. That day, especially that trip, rings home just because looking at where I am today, that pushed me to get through that thing and to prove myself all over again.”

— Austin Pettis said he expects Shoemaker to play in the NFL: “He’s more than capable. Obviously coming in as a rookie you have to be big on special teams. That will help him out in the process. He would be a good fit for anybody.” Offensive coordinator Brent Pease agrees. “He always had an impact in special teams. I think that’s going to carry him into having an opportunity later on,” Pease said.

— Pettis (now with the St. Louis Rams) and Shoemaker call each other on game days. “We hype each other up, make each other laugh,” Pettis said.

— Shoemaker spends close to 75 percent of his time in the slot, where the Broncos can find good matchups for him and take advantage of his smarts. “He did the things Austin did from a different position and in a different way,” Pease said.

•••

While I had Pettis on the phone, I asked him about his rookie season. He has 27 catches for 256 yards without a touchdown. He also averages 9.3 yards on 15 punt returns.

“Obviously we’re not having the season that we wanted,” Pettis said. “Personally, I’m getting a lot of experience with playing time. I’m trying to get the most out of that that I can. I’m trying to enjoy it. These are the dog days of the season. I’d be relaxing right now if I was in college, getting ready for a bowl game.”

On the NFL: “The biggest transition is the competition. Your biggest competition in college is your easiest day at this level. The dudes you’re going against are trying to keep and earn their spot on a daily basis. The speed of play is faster, but not as bad as you may think.”

•••

Ohio State’s NCAA penalties will be announced at 1 p.m. MST. It will be interesting to see how those compare to Boise State’s.

Also at 1 p.m., Brian Murphy and I will be hosting a live chat.