Siena opened its season against Boise State and never trailed. The 2008 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champions made 43.5 percent of its shots from the field, making 27-of-62.

Leading the way for the Broncos was senior forward Mark Sanchez, as he recorded 14 points, six boards and picked up a pair of assists.

Preseason all-conference guard Anthony Thomas added 12 points to Boise State’s total, while junior Ike Okoye tallied eight points in addition to pulling down a career-high 13 boards.

The Saints out-rebounded the Broncos, 41 to 38, and held Boise State’s bench to just 14 points. Siena used its quickness to force 22 turnovers, while committing just 11 themselves.

COURTESY BRONCOSPORTS

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Sports Coordinator

In the Western Athletic Conference the saying “Play Up” has an elevated meaning for the Fresno State Bulldogs. The scheduling philosophy of head coach Pat Hill is and will continue to be “anybody, anytime, anywhere.”

This type of scheduling has earned him the rough and tough reputation for a style of blue collar football that his team exhibits right down to his grisly mustache.

The Bulldogs were picked by the coaches to win the WAC during the preseason. After some stellar performances against nationally renowned programs – namely Rutgers (W, 24-7), former No. 10 Wisconsin (L, 13-10) and UCLA and (W, 36-31) – they have stumbled somewhat due to injuries and other hiccups through their season. Three losses to the WAC’s top teams have left the Bulldogs well short of the conference title they vowed to win early in the season.

Much like the hard-nosed style of Hill and his football philosophy, the Bulldogs don’t look for excuses. Just results.

“At this point in the game we’ve got to find ways to win with the people that are playing,” Hill said. “I’ll never back off that.”

That includes the game that was, during the preseason, supposed to be the “championship” match-up for the WAC in Boise. The Boise State Broncos outright win of the conference championship has laid that scenario to rest. But the implications are still the same.

“I think it would be a tough situation to accept the trophy and you don’t win,” BSU head coach Chris Petersen said. “It’s important to go out and play our best against a Fresno State team that will fight like we fight.”

The Bulldogs have broke even (4-4) once in the history of conference play during 2006. A loss would put them back to that mark.

“We’re going to have to play an outstanding game in Boise this Friday night,” Hill said. “We look forward to the challenge.”

Fresno State could walk away with two trophies this week. The Milk Can rivalry trophy that Broncos have kept safe is up for grabs.

A second trophy, in the form of a tarnish on the Broncos record, could make accepting the Milk Can even more sweet for the Bulldogs.

The trophy was put in place by the dairymen who have a prevalent presence in both the Boise and Fresno communities.

“The dairy farmers, on both sides of Fresno State and Boise State, have been very important to the growth of our program[s],” Petersen said. “A tremendous amount of thanks for us.”

Another road win must be in the cards for Fresno State. They are on their seventh of the season against BSU. They are 5-1 on the road this season.

The possibility of upsetting the slight chances of a Broncos BCS bust would be a bittersweet victory for a program who has set their eyes each year on becoming one of those historic teams to not only achieve, but win one of the “granddaddy” bowl games. Hill recognizes that there is some instability in the BCS process. The “loss and toss” mentality for FBS teams on the outside looking in has created a big problem for a few teams who have had a difficult time scheduling tough games against BCS opponents. Namely Boise State and Ball State.

“I feel really bad because we have some really good football teams that are not members of BCS conferences,” Hill said. “I think that’s being shown more and more all the time.”

But that will have to be a discussion for the Bulldogs next year. They will be focused on a Broncos team that has surprised many in the NCAA during what was supposed to be a rebuilding year.

“If you ever wanna talk about playing for championships or winning the WAC, you’re gonna have to go through Boise,” Hill said. “.It’s a football community. They really know how to do it right up there.”

The Bulldogs meet the Broncos in Boise at Bronco Stadium at 4 p.m. MST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN 2 for each team’s fifth nationally televised showdown.

Kirk Bell

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Four games have resulted in four victories. It is the best start the institution has seen since 1999.

But it’s not 1999 that is resting on the minds of the Broncos. They’re looking into the future; and the near future has presented a challenge.

Taco Bell Arena will hold two home games in the coming week for the Broncos. The first pins Boise State against the dangerous Utah Valley State Wolverines. The second against a potent Pacific 10 Conference Washington State Cougars team.

“Right now we’re working on Utah Valley,” freshman Jackie Thompson said. “We look one game at a time. Right now they’re the block in the road.”

And this block in the road has caused a few teams to stumble already.

Fellow Western Athletic Conference team, Fresno State, found the Wolverines too much to handle as well on Saturday, Nov. 26. The Bulldogs were upset 72-64. Utah Valley State followed that big win with another on Tuesday against Westminster.

“I’m really confident about our team,” sophomore forward Jackie Lee said. “There is a lot of talent on our team. We still have things to progress on but we’re doing well.

“(Monday) was the first day that we heard of Utah Valley. We heard they beat Fresno. We were wondering where they beat them, but we

Mike Sharp
Sports Writer

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The San Jose State Spartans defeated the Boise State Broncos Thursday night in women’s basketball, 64-47. The Spartans led throughout the game. Boise State had two freshmen in double digits in scoring – Tasha Harris with 15 and Amanda Stewart with 12.

The Broncos came out cold in the first half and San Jose State took the advantage, leading 37-13 at halftime. While Boise State played much better in the second period, out-scoring the Spartans by seven (34-27), the San Jose State lead was too big.

The Broncos finished with a shooting percentage of 27 percent from the field, 15 percent from three-point range and 52 percent from the free throw line. San Jose State shot 48 percent from the floor (28-56), 33 percent from three-point range, and 71 percent from the free throw line.

On Saturday the Hawaii women’s basketball team defeated the Boise State Broncos, 67-55, late Saturday night. The Broncos return home to host league-leading Louisiana Tech Thursday and Southern Methodist Saturday.

Hawaii took advantage of a cold-shooting Bronco team in the first period to build 35-14 halftime advantage and a 24-point lead early in the second period before the Broncos mounted a comeback. Boise State pulled within 11 points three times in the second half, but Hawaii stopped the run with good free throw shooting down the stretch.

Jamie Hawkins led Boise State (6-10 overall, 1-6 WAC), with 15 points and eight rebounds. The Broncos shot 25 percent from the floor, 20 percent from three-point range and 68 percent from the free throw line.

Amy Sanders led Hawaii (8-6 overall, 4-3 WAC) with 17 points. Hawaii shot 40 percent from the floor, 33 percent from three-point range and 62 percent from the free throw line.

The Wahine won the rebound war by two – 48-46. The Broncos had just 16 turnovers compared to Hawaii’s 20. But Hawaii had 19 assists to Boise State’s six.

Along with the two home games this weekend, the Broncos will have two more at the Taco Bell Arena before they hit the road again.

The Broncos sit just a half game ahead of Nevada, who is last in the WAC standings. Thursday’s opponent La Tech is undefeated in WAC play and SMU is tied for second place.

Courtesy broncosports.com

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On Dec. 31 at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho, the Western Athletic Conference Champions will battle for the first time against a Big XII opponent.

Boise State is slated to take on Iowa State in what should be yet another blowout victory for the Broncos on the “blue turf.”

This year, Boise State is 11-1 and destroyed their conference opponents by an average of more than 37 points per game. The Broncos’ closest victory of the season came against hated in-state rival Idaho.

Well, that’s kind of true, except for the letdown in Fayetteville to Arkansas (SEC West Champs).

The Broncos stumbled a bit, but only after starting QB Ryan Dinwiddie went down with a broken ankle and the Broncos turned the ball over seven times. Every team is entitled to a let down every now and then – right?

Just ask the Iowa Hawkeyes. What happened on that fateful day back on Sept. 14 in Iowa City? Even the Big Ten Champs are allowed a let down against a mediocre-at-best Cyclone team.

If the Cyclone faithful need to be reminded that the WAC competes at the Division I-A level, let me offer a history lesson from a fellow Western Athletic Conference member on Sept. 24, 1994. Rice 28, Iowa State 18, a victory for the mighty Owls on the road in Ames, Iowa.

The argument against No. 15 Boise State is that they haven’t played any powerhouse teams this season.

But that belief can be thrown out the window.

Here’s my formula for a Bronco victory: The Cyclones were dominated by a predictable Oklahoma team, It was only last month that this same Oklahoma team was handled by Oklahoma State, 38-28.

Still with me? Good.

Here’s my point. Oklahoma State lost to lowly Louisina Tech earlier in the year 39-36. So Louisiana Tech beat Oklahoma State and Oklahoma State beat Oklahoma and Oklahoma thumped the Cyclones 49-3.

Got it?

Well, Boise State destroyed Louisiana Tech by 26 points, so that means if all of my calculations are correct, then Boise State should easily end their remarkable season as a top 15 team with a 12-1 record, offering the Iowa State faithful a great vacation in beautiful Idaho – nothing more.

Did I mention that Dinwiddie leads the nation in passing efficiency (203.49) and Brock Forsey, WAC Offensive Player of the Year, leads the nation in touchdowns (29)?

Pretty good, and not even mentioned for … uh … uh … I guess Iowa State doesn’t have a Heisman candidate anymore either, so never mind that thought.

The debate that will still remain after Boise State wins the Humanitarian Bowl on New Year’s Eve Day: The Broncos had a great year, but who did they play?

WAC is no match for Big XII
By Zac Reicks, Iowa State Daily

Iowa State accepted a bid to play Boise State on Sunday in the Crucial.com

Humanitarian Bowl. While many fans groused and voiced their displeasure about playing a ranked team in cold weather, I for one am happier than a farmer with a bumper potato crop.

Think about it. During regular season play, Iowa State has played on the road against juggernauts like Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas State. Now we get a Boise State team with stats as inflated as Anna Nicole’s boobs.

They are just so outrageous. Seriously, I could find 11 guys at the local ranch that could put up those type of numbers in the Western Athletic Conference. I didn’t even know UTEP, Nevada and Rice had athletic programs, let alone Division I football teams.

The 10 teams in the WAC conference have a combined record of 54-67. Throw out Boise State’s beloved Broncos, and that record drops to 43-66. Not too good.

On the other hand, the Big 12 has a combined record of 85-64. Throw out Iowa State, and that record is still a very respectable 78-58 – 20 games above .500.

Pairing a Big 12 school against a WAC school is like putting the WWF’s Joe Wolf against George “The Animal” Steele – the WAC school will get eaten like a turnbuckle.

Iowa State quarterback Seneca Wallace flourishes against weak competition. Just ask Kansas, Tennessee Tech, Troy State and Iowa (Hawkeye fans eat your hearts out).

In fact, if you look at Iowa and Boise State, the comparisons are quite similar.

First, both teams are highly overrated (No. 3 Iowa, No. 15 Boise State).

Secondly, both played in a garbage conference and are happy that they are the best of the worst. It’s like being Nicolas Cage as the star of a movie. You are the star, but you still have to be Nick Cage.

Finally, both teams look great on paper. You can talk about stats, touchdowns and yardage all you want, but everyone knows that games are decided when you step onto the field (even if it is fake blue turf).

Boise State is good – don’t get me wrong. But playing a schedule as weak as theirs is no way to determine just how good a team is. If Boise State wants to be recognized as a good team, beat someone that’s good. It’s that simple.

And if your conference doesn’t provide that, play somebody tough during the non-conference games. The Broncos did try that once, but Arkansas kicked them all the way back to potato country, beating them 41-14.

Also, playing bowl games in your home state really doesn’t do much more than give your fans another chance to watch your team play. Try moving outside the state and off the smurf turf.

Anyone can beat the Tulsas and SMUs of the world. If the Broncos want respect, a good first step would be beating Iowa State.

Commentary by Phil Daily, The Arbiter and Zac Reicks, Iowa State Daily

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“It’s only the second home game out of nine, so that’s a big deal for us to have the opportunity to come home,” Spartan head coach Fitz Hill said.

This season, the Spartans have already surpassed last year’s three-win total.

“I think they are much improved,” Bronco head coach Dan Hawkins said.

In eight games this season, San Jose State has played only one game at home in Spartan Stadium beating UTEP, 58-24, on Sept. 28.

While on the road, San Jose State has played top-notch opponents – losing to then-No. 14 Washington and then-No. 5 Ohio State.

The Spartans showed they are a legit contender for the WAC title last month, beating the 2001 Big Ten Champions, Illinois, 38-35 in Champaign.

Last week the Spartans stumbled against Nevada, their only conference loss of the season. San Jose State led 17-14 after the first half, but were beaten 58-24 by the Wolf Pack.

“We looked like we just ran out of gas,” Hill said.

Despite the loss, the Spartans look to reload against the Broncos with the one-two punch of quarterback Scott Rislov and wide receiver Charles Pauley.

Rislov ranks third in the WAC with 1,967 passing yards.

Pauley is multi-talented, not only as a wide receiver and kick returner but has also seen action at quarterback and running back.

Pauley racked up 525 yards receiving and is ranked first in the WAC in all-purpose yards, ahead of Boise State’s Brock Forsey.

“Charles has been a big time player for us. He needs to take the ball several times a game,” Hill said.

“He can flat run, anytime he touches the ball he’s a threat.”

Pauley is ranked first in the WAC and second in the nation with 34 yards per kickoff return.

“He’s scary, he’s a game breaker,” Hawkins said.

“Certainly you would like not to give him a chance to return one against you. The more you limited his touches the better off you’re going to be.”

On the other side of the ball, the Spartans’ defensive back Gerald Jones is one of the best in the country. Jones is first in the WAC and second in the nation in interceptions this season with six.

As a team, San Jose State is ranked first in Division I-A with 16 interceptions as well as 26 takeaways.

Luke La Herran and Philip Perry both received WAC player-of-the-week honors earlier this season, rounding out a solid defense for the Spartans.

After playing in front of a record crowd in last Friday night’s 67-21 win over Fresno State, the Broncos will play in a much different environment this Saturday.

The Spartans might be excited to be back home, but they averaged only 10,207 fans in four home games last year. San Jose State has an enrollment of 27,000 students, is in the third-largest city in California with more than 900,000 residents, but is still unable to come close to filling their 30,456-seat stadium.

Regardless of attendance, Boise State will bring one of the top offenses in the country. The Broncos are averaging more than 46 points per game, and have the best passing efficiency rating in the nation at 171.97.

Last season, the Broncos destroyed the Spartans 56-6, which included three touchdown catches by Jeb Putzier, now playing for the Denver Broncos.

Hill and the Spartans are well aware of Boise State’s offensive firepower.

“I admire what they have built there, they have done well since they have joined the conference,” Hill said.

“Boise State presents a major challenge for us.”

The game can be seen locally on KBCI Channel 2 at 3:00.

Phil Dailey, The Arbiter

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Last season, Tulsa traveled to Boise and lost its only other game against the Broncos 41-10.

The Golden Hurricane has not won a game all season, and owns the nation’s longest losing streak in Division I-A, at 15 games.

“No one really walks around here wearing black in a state of depression. We try to get better everyday,” Tulsa head coach Keith Burns said.

Tulsa has shown promise on several occasions this season holding then ranked No. 3 Oklahoma to three points in the first half of their home opener. The Sooners ended up winning the game in commanding fashion, 37-0.

Two weeks ago, Tulsa played yet another Big XII team, Kansas. The Golden Hurricane jumped out to an early 13-point lead after the first quarter. The offense continued to score, but the Tulsa defense stumbled and Tulsa lost the game 43-33.

“Our defense did not show up to play,” Burns said.

Burns enters his third year as the head coach for the Golden Hurricane.

Before joining Tulsa, Burns spent two years at Arkansas where he, along with former Boise State head coach Houston Nutt, helped the Razorbacks win two straight bowl games.

Tulsa is a young team led by sophomore quarterback Tyler Gooch.

Last season, Gooch got his feet wet starting six games as a freshman.

This year Gooch shows promise running the option as well as passing the ball. Gooch has also thrown 930 yards and eight touchdowns.

“He executed the option against Kansas to near perfection,” Burns said.

Jermain Landrum and Montiese Culton are Gooch’s main targets in the passing game.

Last week the Golden Hurricane got a much-needed rest as they took the weekend off. They had two weeks to prepare for the Broncos.

The layoff allowed several players for Tulsa to get healthy, including noseguard Sam Rayburn. Rayburn is a dominant force in the trenches at 6 feet 3 inches and 303 pounds.

This is Rayburn’s third year as a starter, last season he was awarded an honorable mention All-WAC.

Rayburn was named WAC Defensive Player of the Week earlier this season.

Defensive end Cory Hathaway and free safety Jeff Thibodeax, both sophomores, also contribute on defense.

Despite coach Burns optimism for the rest of the season, he realizes Boise State has one of the top offenses in the nation.

“We played Oklahoma and Louisiana Tech; I rank them (Boise State) in that category as an offensive power,” Burns said.

Tulsa lost to La. Tech 53-9.

The Broncos are ranked fifth in the nation averaging 41.6 points per game.

Not only is Burns impressed with the Broncos’ offense, he also credits their senior team leaders.

“They are where we would like to be, they have eight or nine seniors that start for them on offense, we don’t have eight or nine seniors on the entire team,” Burns said.

Despite a game against a winless team, sandwiched between perennial conference contenders, Hawai’i and Fresno State, coach Hawkins and the Broncos are not taking Tulsa lightly.

“They have had some teams on the ropes but have let them slip away,” Hawkins said.

“I don’t think their record is indicative of the kind of team that they have. They have a young team that’s continuing to get better.”

The Broncos did suffer another blow to its offense in the win against Hawai’i as right tackle Rusty Colburn went down with down for the season with a broken right fibula. Jason Turner will take over for Colburn.

This weekend, Boise State running back Brock Forsey needs only 62 yards to break Cedric Minter’s 21-year-old all-purpose yard record.

Forsey is only one touchdown away from tying Minter’s career record of 43.

The Boise State-Tulsa game can be seen locally on KBCI channel 2 at 5:07 p.m.

Phil Dailey, The Arbiter

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This week Boise State welcomes San Jose State (3-6, 3-3) to Bronco Stadium for its final WAC game of the year. The Spartans are coming off 64-45 record setting victory over Nevada (2-7, 2-4).

SJSU and Nevada combined for a NCAA record 1,640 yards of offense. The Spartans were led by WAC offensive player of the week QB Marcus Arroyo, who set a NCAA record for passing efficiency in a single game. Arroyo completed 21-of -26 passes for 476 yards and five touchdowns to end the game with a 298.0 rating.

A Bronco win on Saturday will assure Boise State of at least a tie for second place in the WAC. With a win BSU will more than likely receive a birth in the Humanitarian Bowl, which will be played on Dec. 31.

In other games around the WAC…

Conference leader Louisiana Tech (6-3, 6-1) is assured at least a tie for the WAC title after beating UTEP (2-7, 1-5) 53-30 last week. QB Luke McCown had another great day of passing for the Bulldogs. McCown threw for 227 yards and five touchdowns. This week La Tech will travel to Manhattan, Kan. to take on Kansas State (4-5). K-State is coming of a 31-21 loss to No.2 Nebraska (11-0).

Fresno State (8-2, 4-2) looks as if they are back to their winning ways after a mid-season stumble against Boise State and Hawaii. The Bulldogs beat Southern Methodist (2-6, 2-5) last week 38-12. Throwing for 292 yards and four touchdowns, Fresno State QB David Carr continues to impress. Carr has thrown for 3,171 yards and 30 touchdowns this year. The Bulldogs will travel to Reno to take on Nevada on Saturday. Nevada will continue to rely on RB Chance Kretschmer, who ran for 190 yards against San Jose State last week.

Rice (7-3, 4-2) set a school record with 653 yards in 59-32 win over Tulsa (1-8, 0-6). This week the Owls play host to UTEP. If Rice can win its two remaining games they can assure themselves at least a tie for second place in the WAC.

Hawaii will try get back on track after losing to Boise State last week. The Warriors have completed their conference schedule and will now look ahead to their three remaining non-conference games. This week Hawaii will play host to Mid-American Conference member Miami Ohio (7-3).

Tulsa will try to get its first WAC victory as they welcome SMU to Skelly Stadium. The Golden Hurricane look to end their eight game losing streak this week against the Mustangs before they play first place La Tech next week.

Phil Dailey

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