Boise State drawing national interest

Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson knew he’d be busy Monday. He was fielding calls from media across the country after Boise State continued its push to crash the Bowl Championship Series party by thumping Utah on Saturday.

The Broncos (5-0, 1-0 WAC) need to finish in the top 12 of the BCS rankings to claim a spot in one of the five BCS bowl games. The WAC champion can also earn a berth if it finishes in the top 16 of the BCS standings and has a ranking higher than a champion from a BCS conference.

The first BCS standings will be released Oct. 15.

Boise State, which is No. 20 in the Associated Press poll, has probably cleared its toughest hurdles (Utah, Oregon State, Hawaii and Wyoming). The Broncos’ seven remaining opponents are a combined 12-19 and only two have winning records (San Jose State and Nevada). BSU, which faces Idaho in Moscow on Oct. 21, visits the Spartans and the Wolf Pack in November.

“I am confident, should they win out, they would crack the top 12,” Benson said.

If Boise State qualifies for a BCS bowl, it would mean an additional $10 million for the WAC and member schools. Benson declined to specify how the money would be divided.

BSU crushed Utah 36-3 despite injuries to running back Ian Johnson and quarterback Jared Zabransky. Johnson had a bruised knee that kept him out of practice earlier in the week. He finished with 88 yards on 14 carries. Zabransky suffered a two-inch cut near his right (throwing) wrist. He finished 15 of 21 for 210 yards.

“Ian did a heck of a job because that kid wasn’t totally healthy,” coach Chris Petersen said. “It (Zabransky’s wrist) was as ugly as it could possibly be, a big ol’ gash. I don’t know how many stitches he got.”

Woe in Fresno

Fresno State, which dropped to 1-3 after losing to Colorado State, has dropped seven of its last eight games after nearly knocking off then-No. 1 USC last November. Many of the 42,012 at Bulldog Stadium began hitting the exits early in the fourth quarter Saturday.

“I’m doing OK,” coach Pat Hill said at the outset of his segment on the weekly WAC conference call. “I’ve had better days.”

Dwayne Wright continues to pile up rushing yards, but sophomore quarterback Tom Brandstater is struggling in his first year as the starter. He threw for a career-high 205 yards but was intercepted three times.

“They’re hurting a little bit at quarterback,” Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick told the Fresno Bee, “and that was the difference.”

UI sick bay

Idaho sophomore receiver Lee Smith, who had two catches early in Idaho’s win over Utah State, will likely miss 2-3 weeks with a knee injury. It hasn’t been determined if Smith will require surgery to repair cartilage damage.

Guard Jade Tadvick (shoulder) sat out last Saturday but has a chance to play against New Mexico State on Saturday, coach Dennis Erickson said. Tight end Luke Smith-Anderson, who has missed two games with a knee injury, “has a chance to play,” Erickson said.

Cornerback Reggie Jones (knee infection) might miss his second straight game. He’s “very questionable,” Erickson said.

Notes

Vandals kicker Tino Amancio, who made a pair of field goals against Utah State, was honored as the WAC special teams player of the week. Amancio is 6 of 7 on field goals this season. … San Jose State is 3-1 for the first time since 1987. The Spartans, who lost to San Diego State 52-21 last year, beat the Aztecs for the first time since 1975. … True freshman and Logan prep product Riley Nelson will start for Utah State. He replaces Leon Jackson III, who has had all five of his interceptions returned for touchdowns this season, including one by UI’s Stanley Franks on Saturday. Nelson is expected to go on his Mormon mission next year.