About the author  ⁄ Ty Hawkins

Slamming the breaks on the Runnin’ Rebels

It’s crazy to think that a sport other than the beloved Boise State football team has seen some of the national spotlight. The perimeter heavy Boise State men’s basketball team (40.8 three-point percentage) has garnered a majority of media attention, mostly directed toward guards Anthony Drmic, Derrick Marks and Jeff Elorriaga. They’ve all had shining moments, up to the almost midway point of the season. Even in junior F/C Ryan Watkins, who has quietly been bubbling on the low, emerging in paint for the Broncos. In Saturday night’s “Main Event” at Taco Bell Arena, it will be Watkins who has the task of containing UNLV standout freshman Anthony Bennett, while the rest of the Broncos look to stop the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels (16-4, 3-2 in MW). The Rebels were already loaded headed into the season with returners all across the board, but it was landing Bennett, who chose them over the University of Oregon that changed the dynamic of what they would be able to do in the down low.... ...

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Jan 31, 2013 Posted by In Main Feature, Sports, Sports Main Feature Tagged , ,

Drmic Drops 34, Watkins Grabs 17, Broncos Move to 7-2

Last year Anthony Drmic was held scoreless against the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge and forward Ryan Watkins’ toughness was questioned occasionally. Both of those issues were addressed Friday night at Taco Bell Arean in front of 11,000 fans as the Broncos rolled to an 89-70 victory over the Tigers. The ups and downs of last season appear to be gone for the young Broncos team. They started three sophomores and two juniors against the Tigers, and although still somewhat young, this team has become an experienced bunch with a tough non-conference schedule that should give them a good taste of what Mountain West league play will be like. Drmic, and fellow sophomore Derrick Marks, who had 23 points on 5-of-13 shooting, have helped the Broncos establish a formidable one-two punch on the perimeter. The “doughnut” he put up last year was an afterthought as Drmic gave LSU plenty of trouble Fright night. The second year starter hit 3-pointers from all angles while dropping in easy deuces down the lane,... ...

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Dec 17, 2012 Posted by In Main Feature, Sports, Sports Main Feature Tagged , ,

Hawk’s Nest: Thanks Mike Brown for keeping Phil’s seat warm

The recently formed super team that is the Los Angeles Lakers decided to fire Head Coach Mike Brown last week after an 0-8 preseason and beginning 1-4 in the first weeks of the regular season. This didn’t come as a surprise to most. I would have liked to see the Vegas odds on how long he was supposed to last in Hollywood. I’d have bet and lost that he would have made it the All-Star break. The pros and college differ in many ways, particularly when it comes to who they are playing for. In college it’s the name on the front of the jersey where as at the next level it’s the name on the back. A coach is trying to persuade players making way more money than them that they know what is best for the team. A coach has to be personable and the team has to buy in. Brown is personable, but the Lakers never bought in to what he was trying to sell them, forcing... ...

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Nov 12, 2012 Posted by In Columns, Sports Tagged ,

Hawk’s Nest: Welcome back

Last year, the Boise State men’s basketball team’s first season in the Mountain West, the media predicted them to finish last place. This season they gained a little ground with the bloodsuckers who hide behind recorders and laptops as they picked the Broncos to finish eighth. Whatever the media has to say is simply speculation, and as I stated last season, Bronco fans should be excited for the product that will be on display at Taco Bell Arena this winter. Third-year Coach Leon Rice had a handful of freshmen last year he had to heavily rely on, and as I stated last season, many coaches say  “the best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores.” That time is now for the Broncos. Sophomores Derrick Marks, Anthony Drmic, Igor Hadziomerovic and Joe Hanstad all have a year of Division 1 basketball under their belt. The Aussies (Drmic and Hadziomerovic), already had a high level of maturity for their ages, while Hanstad was thrust into minutes because of injuries, which will help... ...

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Nov 1, 2012 Posted by In Columns, Sports, Sub Feature Tagged ,

Operation bobblehead: The convenient hot commodity sweeping the Valley

The lines of Bronco Nation started between 5 and 5:30 a.m. across the Treasure Valley on the morning of Friday the 26th as people waited for Kellen Moore, the last installment of the Jackson’s Food Stores’ Boise State Bobbleheads of 2012, to be released. “People in the Treasure Valley love Boise State football,” Richard Levin, vice president of Marketing for Jackson’s Food Stores said. “This year with the class of five guys that we had it was tremendous, and with the success of the senior class last year at Boise State it was tremendous.” Other Broncos featured this season were Tyler Shoemaker, Doug Martin, George Iloka and Billy Winn. Approximately 2,500 were produced of each player, while Jackson’s saved Moore for the grand finale and doubled the previous number, making 5,000 available to the public. It’s estimated all of the Kellen’s sold out within the hour. “We even ordered 50 percent more of them (bobbleheads) this year than we have in previous years,” Levin said. Fans were allowed to purchase... ...

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Nov 1, 2012 Posted by In Sports, Sub Feature Tagged , ,

Idaho Vandals football: No more Akey pain

University of Idaho (1-7, 1-2 WAC) Athletic Director Rob Spear has finally axed six-year football Head Coach Rob Akey. During his tenure of leading the Vandals, he amassed an overall record of 20-50. After taking another beat down, 70-28 to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, the higher-ups decided they had seen enough. I sent a text message to an anonymous Vandal alum and friend of mine that read: “No offense, but you have no offense. No more Akey, who really wants that job anyways?” His response was simple “Very dark times for the university indeed. I bet Gesser gets the head coach gig after his interim stint at Idaho.” Gesser was awarded the interim position. Good luck with that one, buddy. Akey came in oozing enthusiasm and pipe dreams galore. He was always upbeat and optimistic, which is good for the fans, players and boosters. Sadly none of that equaled W’s in the column that counts most as a head coach. I’ll give him credit for his one bowl game victory,... ...

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Oct 25, 2012 Posted by In Sports, Sub Feature Tagged ,

Life with Joe has been A-OK

The murmurs of disappointment were apparent early this season about Bronco quarterback Joe Southwick. Bronco Nation had been spoiled, they wanted wins, immediately. Many wondered if and when Coach Pete would go with another quarterback, maybe get a glimpse of heralded freshman Nick Patti, after minimal offensive output. Rewind to Aug. 31, against the then-ranked Michigan State Spartans. The offense was dismal on the ground and extra regular through the air. Southwick finished 15-of-31 for 169 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. A few misreads here accompanied by some questionable decision making and immediately fans were searching for answers behind center after the 17-13 loss. Fast forward to this Saturday’s homecoming game, where Southwick has completed 104-of-170 passes for 1,237 yards nine touchdowns and four interceptions, leading the No. 24 Broncos to five consecutive wins. Saturday Boise State hosts the 1-6 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels  in which he will look to extend the winning streak to six. Newsflash folks: not every quarterback is going to be a record setter or breaker.... ...

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Oct 18, 2012 Posted by In Sports Tagged , ,

We must protect this house

It’s as plain as day that the No. 24 Boise State offense is struggling. However, the defense continued to click as they ran a clinic Thursday night with a win over the BYU Cougars 7-6. Defensive end Demarcus Lawrence set the tone during the first drive of the game as he came off the edge wtih a big sack. “How about that defense,” Head Football Coach Chris Petersen said. “Unbelievable.” The Broncos defense forced the Cougars to three-and-outs on their first three possessions, en route to one of the best defensive performances in Bronco history. After an unsuccessful fake punt attempt, the defense held the Cougars scoreless  in fourth down territory. “I think it has to do a lot with team chemistry,” said defensive tackle Mike Atkinson. “Fall camp has a lot to do with this” To say the game was a defensive struggle would be generous, as neither team could generate any sort of offense. BYU threatened the Bronco red zone once in the first half and as Cougar... ...

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Sep 24, 2012 Posted by In Sports, Sub Feature Tagged , ,

We Belong Together

There are three legitimate reasons why the Broncos and Cougars should be together in football matrimony Travel: Naturally flying is the preferred route for most teams; a flight is quick and easy. When visiting BYU, BSU would likely fly into Salt Lake City, then hit the freeway for Provo. Recently travel agencies have hooked up with bus lines setting up packages for Bronco fans to save a little cash. If the football team chartered a bus line every other year for this game specifically, it may cut some costs and open up some money if they went the bus route. On Tuesday, a group of Cougar fans and former players assembled to participate in the ‘Hero Ride 2012’ in which they rode their bikes, yes bicycles, 460 miles to support the Heroes of the BYU program, arriving at Bronco Stadium at 4 p.m for tonight’s game. Will thousands of fans do this? No, but it shows what they are capable of. In 2006, BSU visited the Utah Utes, as the Blue... ...

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Sep 20, 2012 Posted by In Sports Tagged , ,

O.P.P.:Offensive Production and Points

The Boise State Broncos hadn’t lost a season opener in six years with Chris Petersen as head coach. Well, it happened, now it’s time to regroup and move forward. The Broncos are coming off a bye week that gave them plenty of time to go over the mistakes that were made in the opening loss, as well as breakdown film on their next foe, the Miami (OH) RedHawks (1-1) of the MAC. A few things have to be addressed so BSU can get more production offensively after the loss to the now No. 10 Michigan State Spartans 17-13. Let’s begin. BSU rushed for 37 yards on 24 carries. Roughly just over a yard per carry. D.J. Harper may be coming off an injury but the guy is far from a bum and for him to gain 15 of those yards on eight carries as the featured back is not going to get the job done, ever, if the Broncos expect to win. They may not have a marquee guy on... ...

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Sep 13, 2012 Posted by In Sports Tagged , ,
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