It’s No Coincidence That Boise State’s Recovering

Pokey’s back in charge. Quarterback Tony Hilde believes it’s more than coincidence that Boise State’s five-game winning streak correlates with the improving health of football coach Pokey Allen.

“It’s kind of strange, but as he’s progressed, we’ve progressed,” said Hilde, preparing for Saturday’s duel with Idaho at 3:05 in the Kibbie Dome. “It’s Pokey’s team and it’s business as usual. He’s even stepped up his coaching a bit of late.”

Prior to the season, Allen went through much publicized cancer treatments, nearly dying on several occasions. He appeared thin and tired when BSU slumped with a 2-3 start.

“He was trying to do whatever he could,” Hilde said. “He sold himself out for the team.”

But Allen’s been feeling better the past month. His hair, once vanquished by chemotherapy, is sprouting up, his weight is up to 183 pounds (“I was a little heavy anyway,” he laughs) and his Broncos are winning again.

“I tried to disregard the doctors and coach football and to be honest, for the first part I wasn’t very good. I had no energy and I’m not full speed yet, but I’m closer,” Allen said. “(Winning) sure makes it a lot more fun.”

Allen borders on legend in Boise, thanks in part to the magical 1994 season in which BSU lost in the Division I-AA championship game.

“Everybody feels the same way about the guy,” Hilde said. “He’s a great coach, but more than that, he’s a great person and he’s like a father figure to us.”

Allen has gained additional fans by fighting cancer with his positive attitude.

“If I’ve learned anything,” Allen says, “it’s don’t quit in life, or in football.”

Cocky Broncos

For years, folks in Moscow have complained that Boiseans have inflated egos. BSU’s Allen’s couldn’t have agreed more, at least during the first month of the season.

“We were a little cocky starting out. We thought we were No. 1 in the nation (as ranked by several preseason polls) and we didn’t play very well,” Allen said. “When we lost our third straight, we started playing pretty well.”

There’s a reason for that, said safety Tim Foley. “We were overconfident. We thought we could go out and win on talent. We had to be reminded we’re a blue-collar team.”

Good side of a rivalry …

Idaho senior offensive tackle Spencer Folau and BSU junior defensive tackle Sione Fifita are more than a couple of huge Tongans. They’re friends and so are their families.

“I hosted him on his recruiting trip here,” Folau said. “Our parents are pretty tight.”

Fifita’s parents attended Folau’s game against Oregon State earlier this year in Corvallis.

The two won’t be matched head-to-head Saturday, but their paths will surely cross.

… not so good side of a rivalry

The chirping. It’s virtually endless - and usually mindless. But it is as much a part of the game as the game itself.

Without prodding, BSU’s Foley mentioned that he hates Idaho. Asked why, he said, “They’re a bunch of jerks. They’re one of those teams that runs through your drills during pregame. I’m one of those guys that just likes to play and settle things on the field.”

Tim, does the word “contradiction” ring a bell?

“Boise State week gets pretty intense,” admitted UI’s Folau.

“It’s, do we want to finish with a winning season (6-4) or an average season (5-5),” Vandals’ offensive guard Mike Hughes said.

Said BSU’s Hilde: “I’m confident, excited, but I’m sure they’re just as confident and excited. That’s why it’s a rivalry.”

Well said.

, DataTimes