Boise State plans to start Taylen Green at quarterback in Saturday’s 6 p.m. home game against San Jose State, sources close to the program told Bronco Nation News on Friday.
Backup Maddux Madsen will play at some point, according to sources, but how the game is going – and how both Green and Madsen are playing – will likely dictate the playing time over the course of the game.
Green has started all five games during Boise State’s 2-3 start, but was pulled in the fourth quarter in a 35-32 loss at Memphis last Saturday.
Madsen entered and went 11 of 14 for 175 yards and two touchdowns and nearly led the Broncos to an improbable comeback, sparking speculation and debate as to who would and should be under center for the Broncos moving forward.
Coach Andy Avalos didn’t name a starter on Monday but said both quarterbacks would play. Offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan said both Green and Madsen deserved to play and said coaches would do whatever necessary to help the team win.
The decision to keep Green as the starter was the expected outcome by most. Many believe starting Madsen would have led to the end of the Green era at Boise State given the rules allowing players a one-time transfer without having to sit out.
That talk could continue throughout the season should Madsen continue to earn playing time, but Green is expected to remain the starter, at least for Saturday.
Boise State is 2-3 for the first time since 2001 and frustration has arose amongst a fan base looking for the Broncos’ first Mountain West title since 2019. The Broncos are just 19-12 since Avalos took over in 2021.
Green was expected to challenge for Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year this season after taking over as the starter five games into last year. But he’s gotten off to a slow start, completing just 52.6 percent of his passes (70 for 133) for 938 yards and four touchdowns to four interceptions.
The redshirt sophomore has rushed 35 times for 179 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and has two rushing touchdowns.
Madsen is 22 of 32 (68.8 percent) for 319 yards and four touchdowns on the season and has had more success in limited reps in finding receivers in stride and moving the ball down the field.
He entered in relief against UCF when Green left due to cramping and found Stefan Cobbs for a 28-yard touchdown with 1:49 left to give the Broncos a 16-15 lead. But UCF kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired and Madsen’s heroics were for naught.
Hamdan is in his first year as Boise State’s offensive coordinator. Green became the starter last year ahead of a week five game against San Diego State at the same time Dirk Koetter took over as offensive coordinator.
The Broncos went 8-2 with Green as the starter to finish 2022, losing to Fresno State in the Mountain West title game but beating North Texas in the Frisco Bowl to end the season.
