Boise Coach Labors Over Timing

Boise State football coach Dirk Koetter’s mind this week is occupied with Xs and Os, and Xs and Ys.

Koetter is preparing his Broncos (1-0) for Saturday’s non-conference date with Washington State (1-0).

But Koetter’s mind isn’t totally focused on football as he awaits the arrival of his second son. Koetter’s wife, Kim, was due last Friday with the couple’s fourth child.

“Looks like we’re going into overtime,” the coach said.

Koetter has hedged on what he’ll do should Kim go into labor at, say, 5 p.m., just before game time.

Kim has said she expects her husband to be pacing the sideline instead of the delivery room.

Beck moves up

Idaho’s Wil Beck, a freshman from Central Valley High, will start at defensive tackle against San Jose State Saturday, replacing Mao Niko.

“I’m real pleased with the play of Wil,” UI coach Chris Tormey said. “He pushes the pocket.”

QB follies

The Big West has a tradition of quality quarterbacks, but the conference had a weak opening weekend. Most of the newcomers flopped in their debuts.

Nevada’s Mo Jones passed for 94 yards before getting pulled in the third quarter against Oregon State. Eric Stidham, this week’s starter, produced 68 yards but was intercepted three times.

The combined 162 passing yards was Nevada’s worst since 128 yards in a 41-3 win over Southern Illinois in 1989.

Utah State’s Riley Jensen punted better than he passed. He was only 11 of 25 for 99 yards against Utah, but he booted seven punts for an average of 43.4 yards.

The Aggies are using what they call an “attack-punt position” when they face fourth-and-medium-yardage near midfield. They line up in a shotgun formation and have the option of going for the first down or punting.

Idaho’s Ed Dean was ineffective for four possessions before giving way to Greg Robertson, who passed for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Robertson earned the starting assignment for Saturday’s game against San Jose State.

“Greg has a nice maturity level, he’s 24 years old, he has a quick release and a strong arm,” Tormey said.

The conference’s two returning starters, New Mexico State’s Ty Houghtaling and Boise State’s Bart Hendricks, fared well.

Houghtaling passed for 211 yards and three TDs against Texas. Hendricks tossed three TDs against Cal State Northridge.

North Texas’ Jason Attaway didn’t get many attaboys after his 5-of-10 performance against Oklahoma. He, too, was benched, but backup LaDarrin McLane was just 1 of 4 for 3 yards and Attaway returned.

No lip

BSU kicker Todd Belcastro, from Mead High, isn’t talking to Boise-area media this week. Prior to last year’s 58-0 loss to WSU, Belcastro said he wanted to kick the winning field goal, retrieve the ball and gave it to Mike Price. Why? To show WSU it made a mistake by not recruiting him.

“We really wanted to go with Belcastro as a captain for this game, but somehow we decided against it,” Koetter joked. Belcastro booted 51- and 53-yard field goals last week, becoming the first Bronco to make two from more than 50 yards in a game. He also missed from 52 and 54 yards.

“I’m disappointed with Todd and I’m serious,” Koetter said. “A guy with his talent and experience should make all four of those kicks.”

Notes

BSU bumped reserved ticket prices for the WSU game up $4 to $20. Still, a record crowd of 28,000 is expected… . Utah State’s Demario Brown surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark for the 10th time in his last 13 games. He had 108 yards… . USU cornerback Craig Miller has scored four different ways - a safety, interception and fumble returns for touchdowns and a rushing TD… . Nevada’s 48-6 loss to Oregon State, its worst since 1975, caused some Reno Gazette readers to criticize coach Jeff Tisdel, who said prior to the OSU game: “I see this as an even game.”