Broncos coach won’t say who will start at QB against Vandals

The games before the game are in full swing.

Boise State has decided on a starting quarterback, but it won’t be announced until, oh, perhaps 5:04 p.m. PST on Saturday. Kickoff for the season opener with Idaho is at 5:05 at Bronco Stadium.

“Basically I don’t want two guys having to deal with every media outlet in Boise for the next five days with the one guy getting asked, ‘Are you happy you’re the guy?’, and the other guy getting asked, ‘Are you disappointed you’re not the starter?’” Broncos coach Dan Hawkins said.

The two candidates are senior Mike Sanford, a three-year backup to Ryan Dinwiddie, and Jared Zabransky, an athletic sophomore. By all accounts, the competition has been close.

Perhaps it’s just the media reading too much into the situation, but the energetic Sanford was available for interviews Tuesday and he was talking a mile a minute – sounding a lot like a starting quarterback, until the topic came up.

There, he showed just how coachable he is.

“We know what’s going on,” Sanford said. “We’re going to keep it quiet to avoid distractions.”

Sanford is a fifth-year senior with thorough comprehension of the offense. His father, Mike, is the offensive coordinator at the University of Utah. Zabransky, who some consider in the mold of former BSU standout Bart Hendricks, seems capable of producing big plays but he might make more mistakes.

“Both of us are going to approach the game like we’re the guy,” Sanford said, “because you’re either one snap away from being on your way in or out.”

Hawkins insists he’s a “one-quarterback guy,” and he doesn’t plan on playing both.

“We haven’t seen much film” of the two quarterbacks, Idaho coach Nick Holt said. “It doesn’t influence us because we don’t have a lot of information on them anyway.”

Of course, that’s a two-way street. Hawkins and Sanford aren’t sure what to expect from the Vandals, who have a new coach in Holt and new offensive and defensive systems in place.

“It’s definitely tough not knowing,” Hawkins said.

Added Sanford: “I’m excited. I just have to prepare to the best of my ability. I’ve been watching a lot of tape of (Idaho assistant head) coach Jeff Mills from Nevada and coach Holt from USC. Coach Holt has an aggressive style and he’s a very intense guy. I’m sure they’re going to bring some heat and different looks.”

Line ‘em up

With UI left tackle Hank Therien serving a one-game suspension for violating team rules, Idaho has been forced to juggle its offensive front. Jade Tadvick, normally a tackle, is listed as the starter at right tackle, where he’s covering for Nate VanderPol, who slides over from right tackle into Therien’s spot at left tackle.

“We’ve known for a long time (about Therien’s suspension),” Holt said. “He hasn’t worked with the ones much at all in fall camp.”

Therien’s suspension is for one game, “providing Hank doesn’t screw up anymore,” said Holt, who half-jokingly added, “If he screws up again, it could be for the rest of his life.”

Tony Kiel and Ryan Waage are expected to start at guards. Jarrod Schulte, a redshirt junior who has been on the scout team the last two years, is the starting center.

“It’s a big blow – Hank’s a preseason all-conference pick, a captain, one of our best linemen,” quarterback Michael Harrington said, “but you can sit there and frown or you can move on and we’ve got five (linemen) that are ready to play football.”

Lake City Vandals

Lake City High graduate Jeff Edwards has earned a starting defensive tackle spot, while fellow Timberwolf Luke Smith-Anderson is in the rotation at tight end.

“Jeff was battling for a starting job with a couple of guys and he flat-out won it,” Holt said. “Every day he comes to work with his lunch pail. He’s gotten bigger, so he can grind it out inside. I’m really pleased with his progress.”

Smith-Anderson, who has played in just one game the last two seasons due to torn knee ligaments, is overcoming another injury. He broke a bone in his hand a few weeks ago, but has returned to practice.

“Oh man, I’ve been waiting to play for two years,” Smith-Anderson said. “I’ve been training and rehabbing, getting stronger and a lot faster. To finally be back on the field again… that’s what I live for. Hopefully everything will go right and I’m a happy man.”

Notes

Sophomore Cliff Mason, the only Vandal with collegiate experience at running back, will start, but as many as five players could see time at the position. Holt plans on going with the hot hand at the position. … True freshman Jevon Butler is listed as a starter at strong safety on Idaho’s depth chart, but it’s actually expected to be true freshman Dan Dykes. Butler is sitting out practice as he awaits approval from the NCAA Clearinghouse… . The game will be televised live on the Palouse by Lewiston’s KLEW-TV.