Football Blog

Boise State Graduate and Green Bay Packers fullback Korey Hall puts on kids football camp.

Bodybuilding.com teamed up with Korey to supply everyone with some camp shirts. The kids had a blast and really enjoyed being able to learn and play with a pro like Korey.

A message from Korey Hall:

Thanks to bodybuilding.com for sponsoring our football camp. It was a great way for kids in the surrounding areas to compete in a free camp and have the opportunity to learn from quality coaches and players. We were able to provide these young athletes with valuable skills on and off the field. Hopefully the camp will be a success in many years to come.

- Korey Hall

New Football Uniforms

You’ll want to bookmark BroncoSports.com for next Monday morning, June 1 at 10:00 am, as the first photographs of the 2009 Boise State football home and away uniforms will be released.

Senior All-American candidate Kyle Wilson will be in full uniform for the photos, showing off the new look the Broncos will sporting when they take the field on September 3rd against the  University of Oregon in the season opener.

The new uniforms were designed and manufactured by Nike.  Replica jersey pre-orders will be available beginning Monday morning.

Only at broncosports.com

USA TODAY PROJECTS KYLE WILSON A FIRST ROUND PICK IN THE NEXT NFL DRAFT
Courtesy: Boise State Sports Information

BOISE, Idaho – With the 2009 NFL Draft completed just last month, USA Today is already working on next year’s pro football draft and has selected Boise State University cornerback/punt returner Kyle Wilson as a first round pick.

            A senior from Piscataway, N.J., Wilson was one of 32 players the national newspaper selected as the top collegiate seniors to watch during this upcoming season.  In its brief commentary on each of the players, USA Today stated “Not only does he have excellent coverage skills, but last year Wilson averaged 14.2 yards on punt returns with three touchdowns”.  

            Wilson is coming off a stellar junior season earning second team All-American honors as a punt returner from Sporting News & SI.com when he returned 33 punts for 470 yards and three touchdowns.

He also received first team All-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) honors on defense in 2008 leading the Broncos in interceptions with five.  Wilson also broke up 10 passes and made 35 tackles, including three behind the line of scrimmage.

Boise State has had only one player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft when offensive tackle Ryan Clady was picked by the Denver Broncos as the 12th overall selection in 2008.  Clady, who will be starting just his second year with Denver, was recently named by Sporting News as the top offensive tackle in the NFL.

The Broncos open the 2009 season on Sept. 3 (Thursday) at Bronco Stadium against the University of Oregon in a nationally televised ESPN game.

White Team Wins Big in 2009 Boise State Blue and Orange Game
Courtesy: Becca Faulds, BroncoSports.com

BOISE, Idaho –  The Blue team dominated the first half of play, but the White team’s defense and trickery pushed them ahead as they defeated the Blue team, 14-10, in Boise State’s Blue and Orange Game, Friday.

It seemed as if the first quarter could have gone scoreless, but the Blue team was able to put points up on the board as Kyle Brotzman kicked a 32-yard field goal with 1:35 left on the clock. The tough defensive play continued, but the Blue team managed to score the first touchdown of the game when wide receiver Titus Young caught a 13-yard pass from Kellen Moore to end the first half.

Despite being down 10 points entering the second half of play, the White team began to fight its way back as it scored its first touchdown of the game as Mike Coughlin connected with wide receiver Tyler Shoemaker on a 26-yard pass.

The biggest play of the spring came when the White team regained possession late in the fourth quarter.  Down three with less than four minutes to play, Coughlin pitched the ball left to Matt Kaiserman, which was reversed to wide receiver Austin Pettis who threw up an 85-yard pass to Shoemaker for the game winning touchdown.

For the Blue team, Moore connected on 10-of-16 passes for 106 yards while Drew Hawkins was 4-of-10 for 57 yards with two interceptions. It was running back Jeremy Avery that led the Blue offensively with 57 all-purpose yards, while safety Winston Venable tallied six tackles. The Blue team totaled 231 offensive yards on the day, with 163 passing and 68 rushing.

Defense was key for the White team as defensive back Cedric Febis led the team with seven tackles. Corner back Jamar Taylor and defensive lineman Jarrell Root each picked up an interception. While Pettis had the longest pass of the day (85 yards), Coughlin went 7-for-13 for a total of 81 yards. Overall, the White team passed for 166 yards and ran for 57 to bring its game total to 223 offensive yards.

The Blue and Orange game marked the end of spring workouts for the Broncos and will return to the gridiron for fall camp as they prepare for the 2009 season. Boise State will open its season against Oregon on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 8:15 p.m.

Where: Bronco Stadium
When: Friday, April 17th 6:30 PM
Price: $7-General Admission
Parking: Free general parking on East side of Bronco Stadium

If you can’t make the game you can check it out on Broncovision.

For a complete roster of who will be competing on each team click here

NFL ALL-PRO AND FORMER BRONCO QUINTIN MIKELL TO VISIT BOISE
www.BroncoSports.com

BOISE, Idaho — Former Boise State University star and current Philadelphia Eagles starting safety Quintin Mikell will be in Boise this weekend making public appearances at two different events.

The first meet and greet with Mikell will be this Friday (Feb. 27) on the Boise State campus, with the other on Saturday (Feb. 28) at the Boise Towne Square Mall.  Both are free of charge to the public and provide a chance for autographs and pictures with one of the rising stars in the NFL, while also showing support for Bronco football by picking up the 2008 "No Off-Season" Commemorative DVD.

Friday’s event will be from Noon to 1:30 pm at the Bronco Stadium Shop located on the west side of Bronco Stadium near the Allen Noble Hall of Fame Gallery.  On Saturday, Mikell will be upstairs in front of the Blue and Orange Store at the Boise Towne Square Mall from Noon to 2:00 pm.  Bronco merchandise, including the "No Off-Season" DVD will be on sale, as will Quintin Mikell photographs.  All media are welcome to attend the events, and Mikell will be available for interviews on both days.

"I am truly looking forward to being in Boise and seeing all the fans. It’s a way for me to keep connected to a city and a program that has truly helped shape me," said Mikell.  "It’s going to be a great weekend of saying thank you to the Bronco fans and also being able to see for myself how far the Boise State program has come."

Mikell was one of the key building blocks in the national rise of Bronco football.  The four year starter (1999-2002) was a member of Boise State’s first Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly division I-A) conference championship and bowl team in 1999, and was the defensive leader on two other league title and Humanitarian Bowl championship teams in 2000 and 2002.

He earned Big West Conference Defensive Most Valuable Player honors in 2000 and was voted Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Defensive Player of the Year in 2002, the only Bronco player to earn league MVP honors in two different conferences.  His 401 career tackles ranks second all-time at Boise State, while his eight forced fumbles in 2002 set an NCAA record at the time and currently ranks second in college football single season history.

This past season was Mikell’s sixth with the Philadelphia Eagles, and first as a full-time starter.  He led the Eagles with 169 tackles, while ranking second on the team with four forced fumbles and three interceptions.  Mikell was rewarded for the breakout season by being voted second team All-Pro by the Associated Press, one of two former Broncos (along with Ryan Clady of the Denver Broncos) earning All-Pro recognition in 2008.

During the Eagles 2008 run to the NFC Championship game, Mikell made 26 total tackles in three playoff games.  He also picked off Giants quarterback Eli Manning to secure the 23-11 NFC Divisional Playoff win over New York.

"He’s a beast. He’s an animal. He’s just an old-school football player," said Eagle teammate and fellow defensive back Sheldon Brown.  "He’ll have a bloody nose, bloody mouth, you’re going to look at him and he’s going to line up again and bring it."

Mikell owns 318 career tackles and five interceptions on defense, while his 126 special teams tackles since 2003 leads the Eagle team.  His aggressive special teams play earned Mikell Philadelphia’s Special Teams MVP Award in 2005 and 2006, and a spot on Sports Illustarted’s Paul Zimmerman’s All-Pro Team as a special teamer in 2006.

Mikell originally signed with Boise State in February of 1998 out of Willamette High School in Salem, Oregon, red-shirting during the 1998 season.  After his stellar Bronco career ended, he joined the Eagles as a free agent in 2003, making the opening day roster and playing in at least 14 games every season since.

He completed his communications degree from Boise State in 2005.

Ian Johnson is one of the many talents being scouted at the Combine, and he’s not doing bad.

Ian looked impressive and took advantage of this opportunity to show NFL scouts and coaches what he is made of.

Ian had an impressive second fastest time, out of 32 running backs, in the 40 yard dash, running a 4.46. He also had the fourth fastest time in the 20 yard shuttle, tied for fourth in the 60 yard and eighth in the 3-cone drill.
Put up 225 lbs for 26 reps.

Ian will be back in Boise in March for the Broncos Pro day and yet another chance to show the NFL and everyone else what he is made of.

Ian is expected to be a second day selection at the NFL draft in April.

Courtesy: Staff

BOISE, Idaho - Former Boise State running back Ian Johnson will make a promotional appearance in Boise on Saturday February 14th. The event will offer an opportunity for fans to meet Ian as well get free autographs. Johnson will begin signing autographs at 10am on the upper level of the Boise Towne Square Mall outside of The Blue & Orange Store.

February 14th also will mark the official release of the Ian Johnson Commemorative Football. Each football is individually numbered, and only 250 were produced. It is available exclusively at The Blue & Orange Store. The 14th is also the release day for the 2008 Season in Review Bronco Football DVD.

IMPORTANT CROWD CONTROL INFORMATION
Due to expectations of a very large crowd, a limit of two autographs per person will be strictly enforced. Mall doors will open at 6am. Line will be closed once capacity is reached. It is possible the line will reach capacity before 10am.

ABOUT IAN JOHNSON
Ian Johnson recently completed his senior season at Boise State University and is now living in California training for the NFL Draft. Ian is the all time WAC rushing TD leader with 58 touchdowns. He rushed for 4,183 career yards and is best known for scoring the winning points in the 2007 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. His #41 jersey is the best selling Boise State jersey of all time.

BRONCO VALENTINE’S DAY “SWEETHEART OF A DEAL”
Courtesy: Boise State Sports Information

BOISE, Idaho — As an added benefit for those attending the Boise State University-Utah State University men’s basketball game this Saturday night (Feb. 14), key members of the 2008 WAC Champion Bronco Football team will be on hand pre-game meeting fans and signing autographs.

The "Sweetheart of a Deal" Valentines Night event is part of the launch weekend for the 2008 Bronco Football "No Off-Season" Commemorative DVD, which will be on sale at the event.

The football players will be signing autographs from 5:00-7:00 p.m., with the basketball game tipping at 7:05 p.m.  A ticket to the Utah State basketball game is needed as admission to the autograph event, which will be held in the Taco Bell Arena Auxiliary Gym.  Fans will use Entrance 3 of the Arena to enter the autograph event and game.  Adult tickets are $12 and youth tickets $5 to the game and can be purchased the night of the game or at any Select-A-Seat outlet leading up to the game.

Sixteen football players will be on hand for the autograph event, including graduating seniors Vinny Perretta and Mike T. Williams, as well as returning all-conference players Kellen Moore, Austin Pettis, Ryan Winterswyk, Kyle Wilson and Jeron Johnson.  Other players on hand will be Jeremy Avery, DJ Harper, Kyle Efaw, Richie Brockel, Billy Winn, Derrell Acrey, Brandyn Thompson, George Iloka and Kyle Brotzman.

On Wednesday February 4th BSU celebrated the welcoming of 21 new recruits, the Stueckle Sky Center at Boise State was filled with Blue and Orange to welcome the newest members to the Bronco football team. The event lasted 3 hours and had over 400 fans watching highlights of each of the new players and listening to coaches interviews.

Welcome to Boise all 21 of you!

The geographical diversity of the group is represented by 8 different states and even a couple of recruits from the Netherlands.
BSU finished off last years season 8-0 for their conference and 12-1 overall, and was ranked 11^th in the AP poll and 13^th in the USA Today poll.

Nick Alexander           Los Angeles, CA           Defensive End     6′3" 228
Jonathan Brown       El Sobrante, CA        Safety                6′0" 205
Jake Broyles       Henderson, NV        Offensive Line     6′4" 242
Aaron Burks               Grand Praire, TX        Wide Receiver     6′2" 180
John Michael Davis     Coto de Caza, CA        Linebacker        6′0" 216
Quaylon Ewing       Sugar Land, TX        Cornerback        6′0" 180
Geraldo Hiwat       Amsterdam, Netherlands Wide Receiver     6′2" 179
Malcom Johnson       Gresham, OR                Runningback        5′10" 182
Justin Jungblut       Scottsdale, AZ        Defensive Tackle  6′4" 241
Charles Leno       Oakland, CA                Offensive Line     6′3" 246
Gabe Linehan       Banks, OR                Tight End        6′3" 200
Ebenezer Makinde       Phoenix, AZ                Quarterback        5′9" 165
Kharyee Marshall       Phoenix, AZ                Defensive End     6′2" 200
Allen Mooney       Maple Valley, WA        Linebacker        5′9" 207
Kirby Moore               Prosser, WA                Wide Receiver     6′2" 195
Trevor Peterson       Camino, CA                Tight End        6′2" 218
Joe Southwick       Danville, CA                Quarterback         6′1" 183
Mike Tamburo       Suwanee, GA                Quarterback         5′11" 172
Bryant Thomas       Boise, ID                Offensive Line 6′2" 249
Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe    Amsterdam, Netherlands Defensive Line 6′2" 282
Winston Venable       San Rafael, CA        Safety         6′0" 209