BOISE – Boise State coach Andy Avalos wanted no part this week in any questions that had to with playing in the Mountain West Championship next week.
He and the Broncos have made it clear: the only thing on their minds is beating Utah State.
But is that the right approach? The Broncos have already clinched a spot in the title game against Fresno State and they know the game will be at Albertsons Stadium in Boise at 2 p.m. on Dec. 3.
Regardless of what happens against Utah State, the Broncos will have a shot at accomplishing their season-long goal the following week. So you’d think maybe the plan was to rest some banged up players or play it cautious with the stars like George Holani to make sure you were as healthy as possible in the bigger games against the Bulldogs.
That may end up being what happens – but there was absolutely no talk of that this week.
“Next question,” Avalos said when asked about playing Friday’s game knowing the bigger game was eight days later against Fresno State.
Utah State (6-5, 5-2) is the defending Mountain West Champion, and has won five of its last six games after starting 1-4.
“We are 100 percent locked in on Utah State,” defensive coordinator Spencer Danielson said. “That’s the only game that matters. After our game on Friday we’ll prepare for the next one coming up, but right now and our game plan, we’re 100 percent focused on Utah State.”
Asked about there not really being much to play for Friday against Utah State, Avalos cut off a question and said, “There’s a lot on the line. It’s Senior Day and we’re defending The Blue.”
And that’s true. The Broncos do have a few different things going on to help rally and motivate them for this game. First, 29 seniors will have the opportunity to be honored prior to the game for Senior Day. Despite knowing it’s not their last game ever on The Blue, the last regular season home game – and knowing the end is near – means a lot to them and their teammates.
Boise State has done a better job of protecting The Blue this season. A win would make them 5-1 at home after going a disappointing 3-3 at home in Avalos’ first year in 2021.
“We try to emphasize not looking ahead in any week, from week one to the middle of the season to now – there’s never a more important task than what is right in front of us,” center Kekaniakoa Holomalia-Gonzalez said. “With Senior Night it’s obviously a big deal. A lot of our brothers are going to be recognized and that’s a big deal on The Blue so it’s going to be special.”
It’s definitely the final regular season home game for sixth-year seniors like Ezekiel Noa and Tyreque Jones, while seniors JL Skinner and Scott Matlock likely are gone to the NFL as well. Wide receiver Stefan Cobbs and offensive lineman Cade Beresford have said they plan to return.
For others like Brandon Hawkins who still have an extra COVID year of eligibility remaining, there’s plenty of uncertainty as to whether they will be back or not. These could be the final two home games of their careers – and they plan to make the most of it just in case.
That means focusing on Utah State, even if there wouldn’t appear to be much to gain this week.
“We always look at it one week at a time and you can’t get to next week if you don’t go through this week first,” Hawkins said. “For the seniors, it’s something that is cool and motivates us a little bit in general. To go out there and have Senior Day, a 10 a.m. kick, having a bunch of family in town, it’s something we’re loving right now.”
The last thing Boise State wants is for a starter to get injured and be unavailable or limited in the championship game against Fresno State. But that could happen at any point, including in practice.
Boise State, at least from listening to the coaches, likely will start the game like any other game but could potentially look to get younger player reps if the score is lopsided in the second half.
Tight end Riley Smith, a senior who still has a year of eligibility remaining, admitted “it’s tough” to not want to look ahead towards Fresno State, but, “we talk about going one step at a time and it’s been our goal all year and it’s being 1-0 each week. We’re focused on Utah State and they are a great opponent so we’re giving all our effort to them and trying to focus on them.”
Another motivating factor for Boise State? The Broncos have a chance to go 8-0 in the Mountain West regular season, something they’ve done just one other time in 12 years since joining the league.
“Winning every game in the conference is a big deal to us and we’re going to try to do that,” Smith said.
The rare 10 a.m. start time is also a bit unique. But it’s only about an hour earlier than the players normally wake up, and is an hour later than the Broncos typically are on the field for morning practices.
“We’re used to operating early,” Avalos said.
As for the game being on Black Friday? Avalos hopes folks will avoid the shopping and come support the Broncos.
“It’s the day after Thanksgiving, but who goes out and shops anyways?” Avalos said. “Everybody shops online and gets a box delivered to their door step. That’s what we’re counting on, that people are shopping online and that they will be here bright and early celebrating Black Friday with us in the parking lot and tailgating and creating an atmosphere that is second and none.”
Plenty of tickets still remain at BroncoSports.com. Anyone bringing two outerwear items to donate to the Avalos Family Christmas Drive Friday morning between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. can get tickets to the game for just $10 at the box office.
