Red-zone problems haunt Broncos; Bower may see action for Tulsa

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Boise State has scored touchdowns on just 59.3 percent of its trips to the red zone this season — a problem that was to blame for the Broncos’ subpar showing against UC Davis. The Broncos scored touchdowns on 66.2 percent of their red-zone chances last year.

Part of the problem against Davis was a lack of aggression by the tailbacks. The Broncos worked on that during the bye week.

They have 16 touchdowns and five field goals in 27 red-zone chances.

USC jumps Boise State in USA Today poll; Broncos climb to No. 5 in AP poll, stay No. 5 in Harris

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

USC jumped Boise State in the USA Today Coaches' Poll on Sunday even though both teams were off last week.

Boise State stayed at No. 6 — passing LSU, which lost, but falling behind USC. Last week, Virginia Tech passed the Broncos.

TCU climbed to No. 8.

In The Associated Press Top 25, the Broncos moved back up to No. 5 and remained ahead of USC. TCU is No. 12.

In the Harris poll, the Broncos remained No. 5. They were jumped by Virginia Tech, which passed the Broncos in the other two polls last week. TCU is No. 10.

Boise State announces $2.5 million gift for former East Junior High site

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Boise State on Saturday announced a $2.5 million gift toward the renovation of the former East Junior High site.

The donation came from the David and Debra Larsen Huber Family Foundation in honor of Dona Larsen, who is Debra’s mother.

Dona Larsen, who has 10 children and 31 grandchildren, taught physical education and coached at East Junior High for 30 years, retiring in 2000.

Holtz, May to call Boise State game; injuries have hurt Tulsa

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

The ESPN crew for Wednesday's game at Tulsa is Rece Davis, Lou Holtz and Mark May. That trio should engage in some interesting commentary because Holtz has largely supported the Broncos while May has often criticized them.

The same crew worked the Poinsettia Bowl last year.

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Tulsa already has lost its left tackle and free safety to long-term injuries this season. Left tackle Tyler Holmes (broken leg) missed the Oklahoma game and free safety Charles Davis (knee) was injured early in that game.

Boise State drops a spot in coaches', AP polls; stays put in Harris

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Boise State fell a spot in The Associated Press Top 25 and the USA Today Coaches' Poll after their unimpressive performance Saturday night against UC Davis.

The Broncos are No. 6 in both polls — eight points behind No. 5 Virginia Tech and 10 points ahead of No. 7 USC in the Coaches' Poll. They're 15 points behind Virginia Tech in the AP poll and 77 points ahead of USC in the AP poll.

Boise State 34, UC Davis 16; Kyle Wilson, Kevin Sapien don't start

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Here's the scoring summary:

Second Quarter
BSU — Kyle Brotzman 22 field goal, 10:17. Key play: Tailback Doug Martin covered the first 39 yards on three carries and a reception but was stuffed on third-and-2 at the 3. Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 4:30. Boise State 3, UC Davis 0

BSU — Brotzman 34 field goal, 4:36. Key play: Kellen Moore hit Austin Pettis for 27 yards but was fortunate his third-down throw before the field goal wasn’t picked. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 3:17. Boise State 6, UC Davis 0

Atkinson, Grimes return; Kyle Wilson to Senior Bowl; what is future for UC Davis?

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Boise State gets to add freshmen Michael Atkinson and Greg Grimes to the defensive tackle rotation this week.

Atkinson missed the first four games because of an ankle injury and three-game suspension. Grimes missed all four, too, because of a leg injury.

They’ll share time with backups J.P. Nisby and Darren Koontz. The backups play about half the time.

“Mike looks really good,” defensive line coach Pete Kwiatkowski said. “Greg looks not bad — you could tell a little bit that he doesn’t quite have that burst.”

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Will Oregon let Blount play again?; a new view for Wilcox

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Oregon football coach Chip Kelly is expected to address the media Friday regarding LeGarrette Blount's suspension. The speculation on the Oregon newspaper Web sites is that Kelly will open the door for Blount to return at some point.

Kelly suspended Blount for the season after he punched Boise State's Byron Hout and tried to attack some fans at the end of the Boise State-Oregon game Sept. 3 at Bronco Stadium.

Perretta to return to Vikings; Hayes, Tamburo out with torn ACLs; WAC gets deal with Poinsettia Bowl

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Former Boise State wide receiver Vinny Perretta has been asked to join the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, he said Monday.

Perretta was in training camp with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent and just missed the cut for the practice squad. He has been working out in Boise and is scheduled to travel to Minnesota on Tuesday, he said.

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Boise State defensive tackle Chuck Hayes will miss the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, coach Chris Petersen said Monday.

Boise State climbs to No. 5

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

The Boise State football team jumped three spots to No. 5 in The Associated Press Top 25 and USA Today Coaches' Poll on Sunday.

The Broncos also debuted at No. 5 in the first Harris poll. The Harris and USA Today polls form two-thirds of the BCS formula.

The Broncos were the beneficiaries of last week's run of upsets, including losses by Mississippi, Penn State and California — all of whom were ranked ahead of the Broncos.

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