BOISE, Idaho — Boise State will play its first home game of the 2019 football season when it hosts the Marshall Thundering Herd on Friday night.
The Broncos are riding high after opening the season with a stunning come-from-behind win against Florida State in Tallahassee last weekend.
The game introduced the nation to Boise State's new quarterback - true freshman Hank Bachmeier, who threw for 407 yards and a touchdown while leading the Broncos to a 36-31 win. It was most passing yards ever by a Boise State signal caller in his college debut.
That the Broncos pulled out a win over a blue-blood program like Florida State was nothing short of impressive, especially considering obstacles they overcame to get there - including having the game relocated due to Hurricane Dorian, and having kickoff moved up by seven hours. And they did it while breaking in new players at key positions.
Voters of two major polls took note of the performance, ranking the Broncos at No. 24 in both the AP Top 25 and Amway Coaches' Poll. They were unranked in both polls to begin the season.
MORE: Boise State cracks the Top 25 in the Coaches' and AP polls following upset win over Florida State
Boise State coach Bryan Harsin said Monday that he hopes his players are moving past all the hype created by the FSU game, and are focusing on the task at hand.
"If everything banks off of just one game, you might as well just quit right now and not play anymore," Harsin said. "[Ignoring the hype and preparing for Marshall] has got to be focus of our team right now. I hope it is, I hope the maturity shows up... for some of these young players, that's one of the things I don't know - how are they gonna handle it."
SCOTT SLANT: Boise State's exhilaration meter
For its part, Marshall enters Friday night's game with a 1-0 record after dismantling FCS foe VMI 56-17 in the season-opener. Quarterback Isaiah Green threw for a career-high four touchdowns as the Herd racked up 620 yards of offense (340 passing, 280 rushing) and 35 first downs.
Marshall knows it will face a much tougher test in their first road game of the season.
"They're an excellent team, as we all know," Marshall head coach Doc Holliday said of the Broncos. "It'll be a great challenge for us, but it's a challenge we're looking forward to.
"These are the kind of games you want to go play," he added.
GAME INFORMATION
Marshall at Boise State
- Friday, Sept. 6
- Albertsons Stadium, Boise
- Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. MT
- Weather: High of 85 degrees, partly cloudy
ON TV
The game will be televised on ESPN2, which can be found on the following channels:
- Sparklight (formerly Cable One): Channel 134 / 1134 (HD)
- DirecTV: Channel 209
- Dish Network: Channel 143
- Cox: Channel 164
ON THE RADIO
Fans can listen to the game on the Bronco Radio Network (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender), which can be found online or on the following stations in the Boise area:
- KBOI 670 AM in Boise
- KTIK 93.1 FM in Boise
- KDZY 98.3 FM in McCall
- KSNQ 98.3 FM in Twin Falls
Here is a list of Bronco Radio Network stations outside the Boise area.
STREAMING
The game will stream live on the WatchESPN app, available in Apple and Android app stores. The service is only available to subscribers of participating cable and satellite television providers (including Cable One, Dish Network and DirecTV).
BRONCO ROUNDUP GAME DAY
KTVB's Bronco Roundup Game Day show will be live from Albertsons Stadium before the game from 6 to 7 p.m. on KTVB, KTVB.COM, and in the Bronco Roundup app.
Join Jay Tust and Will Hall, along with special guests, on the Blue for a look at all of the major storylines surrounding this matchup.
TRI-COLOR SCHEME
Broncos fans attending the game are encouraged to show their school spirit by wearing blue, orange, or white - depending on which section they're sitting in. Here's a closer look at this season's color schemes.
ABOUT LAST WEEK
The Broncos overcame a number of obstacles en route to the unlikely comeback win over the Seminoles. The game was relocated from Jacksonville to Tallahassee due to Hurricane Dorian, giving the Seminoles a true home game in Doak Campbell Stadium. Kickoff was also moved up by about seven hours, meaning the teams would be playing during the heat of the afternoon, instead of at night.
In the end, none of that mattered. In fact, it was the Florida State players who suffered from cramps and appeared to be struggling with the heat and humidity during the second half. The Broncos dominated the time of possession with 40 minutes compared to FSU's 20 minutes. In total, the Broncos had 108 plays of offense, compared to FSU's 62.
Though Florida State jumped out to a 31-13 in the second quarter, the Broncos made the right defensive adjustments at halftime, limiting the Seminoles out to just 68 total yards and no scores in the second half. It was a tale of two halves for both teams, as the Broncos scored the final 23 points of the game.
The defensive adjustments by the Broncos gave the offense the opportunities they needed to score points.
The offensive line deserves a shout out as well - they consistently pushed around Florida State defenders, moving the line forward and creating holes for the running game. Bachmeier's job was made easier thanks to a strong performance by junior running back Robert Mahone, who finished with 24 carries for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns.
HURRICANE HANK
Despite heavy pressure from the Seminoles - Bachmeier was sacked six times - the true freshman passer did not get flustered. Rather, he remained cool and composed throughout the contest. Bachmeier wasn't perfect - he threw an interception in the second quarter, but overall, he looked like a veteran quarterback out there.
Bachmeier finished with 407 passing yards and a touchdown in the win. He came through on third downs as well, completing 8 of 12 passes for 136 yards. All eight of the completions were first downs.
"The number one thing is toughness," Harsin said after the game. "What I found out about our quarterback today is he wanted to win and he wanted to win so bad that he found a way to get that done."
Fans quickly latched onto a catchy - and fitting - nickname for their new signal-caller: "Hurricane Hank."
Again, this was his first college football game. And it came the road against a blue-blood program in a storied stadium. It was just one game, but Bachmeier's performance should give Broncos fans plenty of reason for optimism going forward.
ANOTHER 1,000-YARD RUSHER?
Boise State has had a 1,000-yard rusher for 10 straight seasons, the longest current streak in the country. Could Robert Mahone join the likes of Jeremy Avery, Doug Martin, D.J Harper, Jay Ajayi, Jeremy McNichols and Alexander Mattison? After Mahone's 142-yard performance at Florida State, it's looking more likely. Of course, a lot can happen between now and the end of the season.
If Mahone can stay healthy, and assuming the Broncos play in the Mountain West Championship Game and go to a bowl game, Mahone would need to average 66 yards per game to reach the magic number.
POLL POSITION
After the Week 1 takedown of FSU, The Broncos landed at No. 24 in both the AP Top 25 and Amway Coaches' Poll. It's the 18-straight year that the team has appeared in a poll.
KTVB sports analyst Tom Scott writes in his Scott Slant column that the rankings this week came as something of a surprise to many:
"It’s especially impressive on the AP side, as Boise State was eighth in line to get into the Top 25 in the preseason, and no ranked teams lost over the weekend. The Broncos are the only newcomer in AP. There are no other Mountain West teams getting even honorable mention in AP, but the list of “others receiving votes” is much longer in the Coaches Poll. Fresno State and Hawaii each garnered three points and Wyoming one."
SCOTT SLANT: Broncos perched in the polls
The only other Group of 5 school in the polls is UCF of the American Athletic Conference. The Knights remained at No. 17 in the Coaches Poll after their 62 - 0 win over FCS foe Florida A&M in Week 1. They dropped one spot in the AP Top 25 to No. 18.
The top-ranked Group of 5 conference champion at the end of the season will receive an automatic bid to one of the New Year's Six bowls.
BRONCOS-HERD SERIES
The Broncos and Thundering Herd have played just once in the history of their programs. Boise State won the Division I-AA semifinal game, which took place on December 10, 1994, by a score of 28-24. The Broncos went on to lose the championship game to Youngstown State 28-14.
That lone matchup between the Broncos and the Herd lives on in the collective memory of Bronco Nation thanks in large part to then-head coach Pokey Allen's challenge to fans. Tom Scott writes:
"Coach Pokey Allen wanted a big crowd, which had been a challenge the previous two games in the playoffs with Bronco Stadium having to be sold from scratch. So he and I taped a TV spot early in the week, and Pokey famously said, “If we get 20,000 fans for the Marshall game, I’ll ride a horse down Broadway.” Attendance was a loud 20,068. And Pokey followed through."
GROUP OF 5 SHOWDOWN
Boise State and Marshall both enter Friday night's contest with high expectations. The two Group of 5 squads were each picked in the preseason as favorites to win their respective divisions and to compete in their conferences' championship games at season's end.
Marshall finished the 2018 season with a 9-4 overall record, including six conference wins. The Herd went on to defeat USF 38-20 in the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl. Since coach Doc Holliday took the reigns of the program a decade ago, the Herd have become perennial conference contenders. The program is 1-1 in the C-USA championship game since 2013.
ENTRY TO THE GAME
Bronco fans should arrive early. Those whose seats are not in the Stueckle Sky Center may enter the stadium through any gate. Fans are encouraged — but not required — to leave their bags at home or in the car. For faster entry into the stadium, bring a clear bag or no bag to the game. Prior to entry, fans will pass through metal detectors, and any bags carried in will be subject to search. Remember to leave prohibited items behind, including all weapons, alcohol, glass, and coolers.
BRONCO BASH AT THE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS CENTER
The Bronco Bash at the Alumni and Friends Center is is open to Broncos fans three hours prior to every home football game and closes 30 minutes prior to kickoff. The event features a family-friendly atmosphere with live music and activities for all ages.
Returning this year is the Bronco Bash Cash Dash, a series of one-minute challenges, that guests can play to compete for time in the Mountain America Credit Union cash machine, Boise State merchandise and other prizes. Find out more about the Bronco Bash here.
DECHEVRIEUX FIELD OPEN FOR TAILGATING
Boise State's partnership with Blockparty, a fan-focused hospitality and entertainment company, continues this season with pre-game festivities at the Ford Tailgate Zone at DeChevrieux Field.
The Tailgate Zone will include a Kids Zone, complete with a climbing wall and other entertainment geared toward the younger fans. It will also include huge televisions featuring top games, food trucks, and a "tailgate village" all on the Broncos' grass practice field adjacent to Albertsons Stadium.
The tailgate party is free for fans, but if you want an upgraded experience with your own tent, TV and other amenities. VIP packages are available for purchase and cost between $400 and $2000.
DeChevrieux Field opens for tailgating three hours before kickoff on home football game days.
BRONCO WALK
Here's a chance for you to high-five your favorite players and coaches as they walk to the football center for pre-game preparations. The "Bronco Walk" will start when the team leaves the Student Union Building about two and a half hours before kickoff. The team will walk from the Student Union Building, through the Ford Tailgate Zone at DeChevrieux Field, past the Varsity Center, straight into the east stadium parking lot and ending at the Bleymaier Football Center.
10 TO 10 ZONE
The 10 to 10 Zone remains in place for home games this season. It specifies areas off-campus where people age 21 or older may consume alcoholic beverages from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Boise State home football game days only.
Alcoholic beverages are allowed in opaque plastic cups within the zone. Glass containers, beer cans, and type of liquor bottle and cups with alcoholic labeling are not allowed.
The "Zone" begins at Broadway Avenue and Myrtle Street, extends south down Broadway to Beacon, turns west along Beacon, north up Oakland Avenue, west on Potter Drive, north again up South Joyce Street, and then west along University Drive all the way to Capitol Boulevard. The boundary extends north along Capitol and turns east onto Cesar Chavez Lane, crosses Friendship Bridge north, and leads into Julia Davis Park. In the park, the "10 to 10 Zone" boundary is the area east of Zoo Boise to Broadway Avenue, and south of the Julia Davis pond.
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TRAFFIC, PARKING & FREE SHUTTLES
Expect increased traffic on all roads surrounding Boise State before and after the game. University Drive, from Capitol Boulevard to Broadway Avenue, will be congested throughout the morning and afternoon. Because of limited public parking on-campus, fans are encouraged to park off-campus and walk/bike or use a shuttle to get to the game.
Lots & Garages on Campus:
The Albertsons Stadium parking lot will open eight hours prior to game time on Saturdays and four hours prior to every game during weekdays.
Boise State’s bike corral will be available near Christ Chapel on the corner of Broadway Avenue and Cesar Chavez Lane.
Spaces will be available for a $10 fee in the following lots and garages:
- Plaza East and West lots
- Brady Street Garage and Lincoln Avenue Garage
Handicap accessible spaces will be available for a $10 fee in the West and East Stadium lots, the Engineering and Technology reserved lot and on the ground floor of the Lincoln Avenue Garage.
Vehicles parked in accessible spaces must display an ADA license plate or placard and the placard/license plate registrant must be an occupant in the vehicle in order to purchase game day accessible parking.
Parking in Boise Parks:
Parking is allowed in designated parking spots within Julia Davis Park, Ann Morrison Park, Riverside Park, and Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park. Parking for Boise State home games is free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Towing will be delayed at those parks until 3 a.m. the following morning regardless of kickoff time.
Overnight parking is prohibited.
Off-campus Parking:
The Downtown Boise Association coordinates free shuttle buses from five convenient downtown locations to Bronco Stadium.
These shuttles run every 15 minutes starting two hours prior to game time, and immediately after the game for one hour.
- 6th & Grove (Bardenay)
- 8th & Main
- 8th between Idaho & Bannock (Red Feather/Bittercreek)
- 8th & Broad (Solid Grill & Bar)
- River Street between 12th & Ash (Payette Brewing)
Here is more information on the Bronco Gameday Shuttle, and game day parking options.
Parking at Civic Plaza:
Parking for home (weekend) games this season will also be available starting Saturday at the Civic Plaza complex, just east of the Ada County Courthouse. The cost is $5 per vehicle and proceeds will go to the FACES of Hope Victim Center. More than 600 spaces are available, and parking will be open at least three hours before kickoff. You can pre-pay online.
To access the event parking area, follow Avenue A north, between Myrtle and Front Streets in front of the downtown Boise Winco store, directly into the Civic Plaza parking garage entrance. Patrons should be aware that NO alcoholic beverages or tailgating will be allowed in the Civic Plaza/Courthouse complex.