UI-BSU rivals rivalry game
Most of the talk about the Idaho Vandals-Boise State Broncos football game on Rivalry Weekend is about whether this really is a rivalry.
“It’s very important to me,” Vandals coach Robb Akey said. “The rival games are one of the great things about college. It adds a lot of life to this time of season. But it hasn’t been a rivalry. It’s been a Boise tradition. My job as head football coach is making this deal a rivalry again.”
Although three of the last four games have been competitive, that’s what happens when one team wins eight straight, as Boise State has, right after the other team reeled off 13 straight, as the Vandals did.
“If it’s going to be a tradition, I like that one better,” Akey said.
His Broncos counterpart, Chris Petersen, said another reason the game hasn’t felt exactly like a rivalry is because it has been played up and down the schedule the last six years, including opening week.
“In the Pac-10 they play all those games … at the end of the year,” he said. “Keeping it consistent in terms of where they put it (would help). I don’t have a preference. It’s just always a good game to play.”
Both know what really makes it a rivalry is the fans.
“I’ve had things said since I got this job,” Akey said. “I’m very into this rivalry. The outside world has a lot to do it. It adds a great deal of excitement.”
“I don’t think it means more on the street than it does to us, (but) I know it means a lot to a lot of people, that’s what makes this game a lot of fun,” Petersen said. … “I think this week the lines are drawn pretty clear.”
He is quick to dash any hope Vandals fans have about the Broncos overlooking Idaho with BSU traveling to Hawaii next week to play for the WAC championship, thanks to the rivalry.
“There’s always some game down the road people around here want to talk about, but, fortunately for us, everybody wants to talk about the Idaho game. Our kids will be very focused,” he said. “That’s always our message, no matter who we play. The fact it’s our in-state rival, that helps us as well. When you play your rival there’s always going to be a little more emotion.”
Akey insisted the Vandals (1-9, 0-7 WAC) don’t consider the Broncos (9-1, 6-0) their bowl game.
“We’re not bowl eligible – this is a rival game,” he said. “It’s not an honor, it’s one of our conference games. It’s not a reward. But we’re going to have a good time with it.”
So far, he’s the only one making it fun.
During the bye week, when he was visiting Vandals boosters in southern Idaho, he contributed to the fun, calling the Broncos donkeys.
“There was nothing mean-spirited intended by that – I’ve got all the respect in the world for them,” Akey said, acknowledging he had been “blown up” on Boise sports talk radio. “I think what I said was … our next game happens to be on the blue turf against the donkeys, and that would be a good thing to win.
“They don’t care what I have to say. Their players don’t care what I have to say. Chris Petersen doesn’t care what I have to say. I haven’t really said anything. The fans are going to say it. It’s one of things that make rival games fun. You play to win, play to have fun. Everybody needs to enjoy that, lighten up a little bit.”
Although he admitted Tuesday he had more one-liners he could use, the former Washington State coach added, “The (Washington) Huskies used to pop off more.; I haven’t heard that yet. But it’s early in the week.”
Quick kicks
The game will be on KSKN in Spokane, starting at 11 a.m. PST. … Boise’s 52-0 win at Utah State last week was their first shutout on the road in 31 years. Broncos quarterback Taylor Tharp hit 26 of 29 passes. … The Broncos have blocked nine kicks this season. The blocked punt at USU was the first against the Aggies in Brent Guy’s three years as coach. … Hawaii QB Colt Brennan is probable for Friday’s 8 p.m. ESPN2 game at Reno after he suffered a mild concussion against Fresno State. … Hawaii is 9-0 for the first time since 1925. Brennan tied BYU’s Ty Detmer for most career TD passes (121) and TDs responsible for (135) and had his 15th straight 300-yard passing game. … Hawaii receiver Jason Rivers tied the conference record with a catch in his 46th straight game. … New Mexico State’s Chase Holbrook has the school record in passing yards and Brandon Allen has the record with receptions in 42 straight games. … San Jose’s Kevin Jurovich had 10 catches for 233 yards against New Mexico State when Spartans QB Adam Tafralis broke Jeff Garcia’s school record for total offense, 7,363 yards. … Nevada’s Brett Jaekle has made a field goal in 10 straight games.