2020 Boise State Broncos football team

The 2020 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Broncos played their home games at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho, as members of the Mountain West Conference. They were led by seventh-year head coach Bryan Harsin.

2020 Boise State Broncos football
ConferenceMountain West Conference
Record5–2 (5–0 MW)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorEric Kiesau (2nd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Co-defensive coordinatorSpencer Danielson (2nd season)
Co-defensive coordinatorJeff Schmedding (2nd season)
Base defenseMultiple
Home stadiumAlbertsons Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2019
2021 →
2020 Mountain West Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 24 San Jose State y$   7 0     7 1  
Boise State y   5 0     5 2  
Nevada   6 2     7 2  
San Diego State   4 2     4 4  
Hawaii   4 4     5 4  
Fresno State   3 3     3 3  
Air Force   2 2     3 3  
Wyoming   2 4     2 4  
New Mexico   2 5     2 5  
Colorado State   1 3     1 3  
Utah State   1 5     1 5  
UNLV   0 6     0 6  
Championship: San Jose State 34, Boise State 20
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
  • Note: Due to COVID-19, the Mountain West suspended the season, but later decided to begin play on October 24.[1]
Rankings from AP Poll

After the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, then reinstated, the Broncos played seven games, compiling a 5–2 record (5–0 in conference play). The team then lost to San Jose State in the Mountain West Championship Game. On December 20, the team announced that it had decided to forgo playing in any bowl game.[2] The program had appeared in 18 consecutive bowl games, dating back to the 2002 Humanitarian Bowl.[3]

On December 22, head coach Bryan Harsin resigned to become the head coach at Auburn.[4] He finished at Boise State with a seven-year record of 69–19.

Schedule

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Boise State announced its 2020 football schedule on February 27, 2020.[5] The 2020 schedule consisted of 7 home and 5 away games in the regular season. On August 10, 2020, the Mountain West Conference announced the suspension of the football season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6][7] The new schedule was released by the Mountain West on October 1, 2020.[8]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
October 245:00 p.m.Utah State FS1W 42–130[a]
October 314:00 p.m.at Air ForceNo. 25CBSSNW 49–30500
November 67:45 p.m.No. 9 BYU*No. 21
  • Albertsons Stadium
  • Boise, ID
FS1L 17–511,100
November 126:00 p.m.Colorado State
  • Albertsons Stadium
  • Boise, ID
FS1W 52–21 1,100
November 219:00 p.m.at HawaiiCBSSNW 40–320[b]
November 282:00 p.m.San Jose State
  • Albertsons Stadium
  • Boise, ID
FoxNo Contest _
December 47:30 p.m.at UNLVCBSSNNo Contest _
December 124:00 p.m.at WyomingCBSSNW 17–9 2,978
December 192:15 p.m.vs. No. 24 San Jose StateFoxL 20–34 0
  1. ^ Game played behind closed doors
  2. ^ Game played behind closed doors

Roster

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2020 Boise State Broncos football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 1 Octavius Evans Sr
WR 2 Khalil Shakir Jr
TE 3 Riley Smith   So
WR 6 C. T. Thomas Sr
WR 7 Latrell Caples Fr
QB 8 Cade Fennegan Fr
QB 10 Chase Cord   Jr
QB 14 Andy Peters Fr
WR 15 Maclaine Griffin   So
QB 16 Jack Sears   Jr
WR 18 Billy Bowens   So
QB 19 Hank Bachmeier So
RB 21 Andrew Van Buren Jr
WR 23 Khyheem Waleed   Fr
RB 24 George Holani So
RB 25 Taequan Tyler So
WR 27 Shea Whiting   Fr
RB 31 Obi Gee Fr
WR 32 Trevor Cole   Fr
RB 33 Tyler Crowe   Fr
RB 37 Danny Smith   So
TE 40 Russell Corrigan Fr
OL 50 Riden Leong Fr
OL 51 Dalton Lins   So
OL 55 Kekaniokoa Holomalia-Gonzalez   So
OL 57 Nathan Cardona Fr
OL 62 Kyle Juergens Fr
OL 66 Ben Dooley   Fr
OL 68 Jake Stetz   Sr
OL 69 Garrett Curran   So
OL 70 John Ojukwu   Jr
OL 71 Donte Harrington   Sr
OL 72 Dallas Holliday   So
OL 73 Nick Crabtree   Sr
OL 74 Jacob Golden   Fr
OL 75 Brandon Hernandez Fr
OL 77 Uzo Osuji   Sr
OL 78 Julian Simpson   Fr
TE 80 Mason Sikes   Sr
TE 81 Austin Bolt Fr
WR 82 Stefan Cobbs   So
WR 83 Cole Wright Fr
WR 84 Matt Greenwald Fr
TE 85 John Bates   Sr
TE 86 Tyler Eiguren   Fr
TE 87 Kaden DeLuna   So
TE 88 Tyneil Hopper   So
WR 89 Connor Riddle   So
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
S 0 JL Skinner So
CB 2 Jalen Walker   Sr
OLB 3 Brandon Hawkins   Jr
S 4 Rodney Robinson Fr
S 5 Evan Tyler GS
MLB 7 Ezekiel Noa   Jr
CB 8 Markel Reed So
OLB 9 Brock Miller   Sr
CB 13 Marques Evans   Jr
CB 14 Kaonohi Kaniho Fr
CB 16 Jonathan Earl Jr
CB 17 Donovan Clark Fr
DE 19 Aisa Kelemete   Jr
CB 20 Roman Kafentzis   Jr
CB 21 Tyreque Jones   Jr
CB 22 Tyric LeBeauf   So
CB 24 Damon Cole   Jr
MLB 25 Benton Wickersham   Sr
CB 26 Avery Williams   Sr
CB 28 Kekaula Kaniho Sr
CB 29 Chris Mitchell   So
DE 30 Isaiah Bagnah   Fr
S 34 Alexander Teubner   Fr
S 36 Semaj Verner Fr
DE 38 Demitri Washington   So
CB 41 Jaylen Clark Fr
S 43 Tyler Visser   Jr
OLB 44 Riley Whimpey Sr
OLB 45 Nick Provenzano   Sr
MLB 48 Bruno DeRose   Sr
DE 49 Dylan Herberg   So
OLB 52 D. J. Schramm   So
DE 53 Sam Whitney GS
DE 54 Gabe Hunter Fr
DE 55 Shane Irwin   Jr
DE 56 Casey Kline   Fr
DT 58 Robert Cooper Fr
DE 59 Jadyn Ewing   Fr
DE 60 Amari Williams Fr
DT 90 Scale Igiehon Jr
DT 92 Michael Callahan   Fr
DE 93 Andy Nwaoko Fr
DT 94 Jackson Cravens   So
DT 95 Divine Obichere Jr
DT 97 Keeghan Freeborn   So
DT 98 Herbert Gums Fr
DT 99 Scott Matlock   So
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K/P 35 Jonah Dalmas Fr
LS 42 Daniel Cantrell   Jr
P 43 Gavin Wale   Fr
K/P 46 Joel Velazquez   Sr
P 49 Keola Downing Fr
LS 65 Koby Tryggestad Fr
K 96 Ryan Meyer   So
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Kent Riddle – Associate head coach/Tight ends
  • Eric KiesauOffensive coordinator/Quarterbacks
  • Spencer DanielsonCo-defensive coordinator/Defensive linemen
  • Jeff SchmeddingCo-defensive coordinator/Inside linebackers
  • Zac AlleySpecial teams coordinator/Outside linebackers
  • Matt MillerPassing game coordinator/Wide receivers
  • Jalil BrownCornerbacks
  • Brad BedellRun game coordinator/Offensive linemen
  • Winston VenableCo-special teams coordinator/Running backs
  • Gabe Franklin – Safeties/nickels
  • Jeff Pitman – Director, Strength and Conditioning
  • Brandon Crosby – Offensive analyst
  • Danny McDonald – Defensive analyst
  • Jake Casteel – Graduate assistant
  • Jabril Frazier – Graduate assistant
  • Jeff McDaniels – Graduate assistant
  • Jared Pulu – Graduate assistant
  • J. P. Sorensen – Graduate assistant
  • Tanner Tallan – Graduate assistant

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  •   Injured
  •   Redshirt

Roster
Last update: 8/12/23

Game summaries

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Utah State

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Utah State at Boise State
1 234Total
Aggies 0 076 13
Broncos 7 21014 42
  • Date: October 24, 2020
  • Location: Albertsons Stadium
    Boise, ID
  • Game start: 5:15 p.m. MDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:14
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C) • Weather: Partly Cloudy • Wind: 22 MPH NW
  • Referee: Mike Cuttone • Umpire: Mark Warner • Linesman: Justin Gragg • Line judge: Carlos Owens • Back judge: M. Aaronian • Field judge: Michael Defee • Side judge: T. Castleberry • Center judge: Ian Malepeai
  • TV announcers (FS1): Kevin Fitzgerald and Robert Smith
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants
Statistics Utah State Boise State
First downs 12 25
Plays–yards 70–203 67–450
Rushes–yards 43–111 35–171
Passing yards 92 279
Passing: compattint 14–27–1 22–32–0
Time of possession 30:00 30:00

At Air Force

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Boise State at Air Force
1 234Total
No. 25 Broncos 7 21714 49
Falcons 14 3013 30
  • Date: October 31, 2020
  • Location: Falcon Stadium
    Colorado Springs, CO
  • Game start: 5:00 p.m. MDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:14
  • Game attendance: 500
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: 17 MPH N
  • Referee: Brandon Cruse • Umpire: Sheldon Davis • Linesman: George Gusman • Line judge: Jay Bilbo • Back judge: Donnie Aultman • Field judge: Scott Gaines • Side judge: Rick Ockey
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Carter Blackburn, Aaron Taylor and Jenny Dell (sideline)
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants
  • Passing leaders: Jack Sears (BSU): 17–20, 280 YDS, 3 TD; Warren Bryan (AF): 3–6, 38 YDS.
  • Rushing leaders: Andrew Van Buren (BSU): 12 CAR, 70 YDS, 2 TD; Brandon Lewis (AF): 10 CAR, 112 YDS, 1 TD.
  • Receiving leaders: CT Thomas (BSU): 2 REC, 101 YDS, 2 TD; Kyle Patterson (AF): 3 REC, 38 YDS.
Statistics Boise State Air Force
First downs 23 28
Plays–yards 49–459 73–484
Rushes–yards 29–179 66–415
Passing yards 280 69
Passing: compattint 17–20–0 4–7–0
Time of possession 22:29 37:31
BYU at Boise State
1 234Total
No. 9 Cougars 7 92213 51
No. 21 Broncos 3 0014 17
  • Date: November 6, 2020
  • Location: Albertsons Stadium
    Boise, ID
  • Game start: 7:45 p.m. MST
  • Elapsed time: 3:21
  • Game attendance: 1,100
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C) • Weather: Fair • Wind: 11 MPH WNW
  • Referee: David Alvarez • Umpire: Stuart Schake • Linesman: Rick Smith • Line judge: Mark Estermyer • Back judge: Terrance Jones • Field judge: Jason Ledet • Side judge: Corey Luxner • Center judge: Kenneth Ray
  • TV announcers (FS1): Aaron Goldsmith and Petros Papadakis
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants
  • Passing leaders: Cade Fennegan (BSU): 15–26, 182 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT; Zach Wilson (BYU): 21–27, 359 YDS, 2 TD.
  • Rushing leaders: Andrew Van Buren (BSU): 16 CAR, 45 YDS; Tyler Allgeier (BYU): 14 CAR, 123 YDS, 2 TD.
  • Receiving leaders: Khalil Shakir (BSU): 10 REC, 139 YDS, 2 TD; Gunner Romney (BYU): 6 REC, 133 YDS.
Statistics BYU Boise State
First downs 25 14
Plays–yards 68–573 65–310
Rushes–yards 38–214 27–61
Passing yards 359 249
Passing: compattint 21–27–0 23–38–1
Time of possession 26:47 33:13

Colorado State

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Colorado State at Boise State
1 234Total
Rams 0 7140 21
Broncos 21 21100 52
  • Date: November 12, 2020
  • Location: Albertsons Stadium
    Boise, ID
  • Game start: 6:00 p.m. MST
  • Elapsed time: 3:27
  • Game attendance: 1,100
  • Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C) • Weather: Mostly Cloudy • Wind: 9 MPH E
  • Referee: Timothy Davis • Umpire: Rico Orsot • Linesman: Eric Carmouche • Line judge: J Weatherford • Back judge: Robert Lewis • Field judge: Brian Wirfel • Side judge: Keith Claiborne
  • TV announcers (FS1): Alex Faust, Evan Moore
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants
  • Passing leaders: Hank Bachmeier (BSU): 16–28, 202 YDS, 1 TD; Patrick O'Brien (CSU): 9–20, 140 YDS, 1 INT.
  • Rushing leaders: Andrew Van Buren (BSU): 13 CAR, 28 YDS, 2 TD; A'Jon Vivens (CSU): 12 CAR, 76 YDS, 1 TD.
  • Receiving leaders: CT Thomas (BSU): 6 REC, 103 YDS; Dante Wright (CSU): 5 REC, 109 YDS.
Statistics Colorado State Boise State
First downs 15 15
Plays–yards 70–315 67–291
Rushes–yards 139 89
Passing yards 176 202
Passing: compattint 11–29–1 16–30–0
Time of possession 27:27 32:33

At Hawaii

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Boise State at Hawaii
1 234Total
Broncos 3 16210 40
Rainbow Warriors 3 01415 32
  • Date: November 21, 2020
  • Location: Aloha Stadium
    Honolulu, HI
  • Game start: 9:00 p.m. MST
  • Elapsed time: 3:46
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: 21 MPH E
  • Referee: Mike Cuttone • Umpire: Mark Wagner • Linesman: Justin Gragg • Line judge: Carlos Owens • Back judge: M. Aaronian • Field judge: Michael Defee • Side judge: T. Castleberry
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): John Sadak, Randy Cross
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants
  • Passing leaders: Hank Bachmeier (BSU): 21–31, 278 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT; Chevan Cordeiro (HAW): 25–48, 253 YDS, 3 TD.
  • Rushing leaders: Andrew Van Buren (BSU): 27 CAR, 113 YDS, 2 TD; Chevan Cordeiro (HAW): 18 CAR, 90 YDS.
  • Receiving leaders: Khalil Shakir (BSU): 11 REC, 130 YDS, 2 TD; Miles Reed (HAW): 6 REC, 69 YDS.
Statistics Boise State Hawaii
First downs 21 25
Plays–yards 68–408 83–394
Rushes–yards 36–127 35–141
Passing yards 281 253
Passing: compattint 22–32–1 25–48–0
Time of possession 29:20 30:40

At Wyoming

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Boise State at Wyoming
1 234Total
Broncos 7 370 17
Cowboys 3 033 9
  • Date: December 12, 2020
  • Location: War Memorial Stadium
    Laramie, WY
  • Game start: 4:00 p.m. MST
  • Elapsed time: 3:19
  • Game attendance: 2,978
  • Game weather: 20 °F (−7 °C) • Weather: Snowing
  • Referee: Cal McNeill • Umpire: David Williams • Linesman: George Shoup • Line judge: Steve Hoslett • Back judge: Al Moore • Field judge: Albert Bryant • Side judge: Tom Bessant
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Rich Waltz, Aaron Murray, AJ Ross
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants
  • Passing leaders: Hank Bachmeier (BSU): 19–28, 181 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT; Levi Williams (WYO): 3–13, 45 YDS.
  • Rushing leaders: Andrew Van Buren (BSU): 25 CAR, 79 YDS, 1 TD; Xazavian Valladay (WYO): 11 CAR, 59 YDS.
  • Receiving leaders: Khalil Shakir (BSU): 8 REC, 105 YDS; Xazavian Valladay (WYO): 1 REC, 29 YDS.
Statistics Boise State Wyoming
First downs 17 9
Plays–yards 70–292 59–146
Rushes–yards 41–111 38–82
Passing yards 181 64
Passing: compattint 19–29–1 4–21–0
Time of possession 33:37 26–23

vs San Jose State (Mountain West Championship Game)

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Boise State vs San Jose State
(Mountain West Championship Game)
1 234Total
Broncos 3 377 20
No. 24 Spartans 7 12015 34
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants
  • Passing leaders: Hank Bachmeier (BSU): 20-40, 221 YDS; Nick Starkel (SJSU): 32-52, 453 YDS, 3 TD.
  • Rushing leaders: Andrew Van Buren (BSU): 11 CAR, 26 YDS; Kairee Robinson (SJSU): 12 CAR, 39 YDS.
  • Receiving leaders: Khalil Shakir (BSU): 6 REC, 85 YDS; Tre Walker (SJSU): 7 REC, 137 YDS, 1 TD.
Statistics Boise State San Jose State
First downs 14 26
Plays–yards 65–224 77–498
Rushes–yards 25–3 25–45
Passing yards 221 453
Passing: compattint 20–40–0 32–52–0
Time of possession 25:27 34:32

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre12345678910111213141516Final
APRVRV*RV2521RVRVRVRVRVRV
CoachesRVRV*RVRVRVRVRV23RVRVRVRVRVRVRVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

Chaplain controversy

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Following a game against the Brigham Young University Cougars on November 6, 2020, most of the players of both teams knelt midfield at Boise's Albertsons Stadium.[9] Images of the unusual prayer circulated on social media and the story was covered by Deseret News who reported that the prayer was led by Boise State's team chaplain Pastor Mark Thornton. "We started with prayer, we're going to end with prayer, and we're going to give the glory to God," said Thornton. The chaplain had regularly lead prayer on the field after games and held chapel the night before.

The story of Boise State, a public university, having an official team chaplain organizing religious services drew the attention of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). The foundation sent a letter to Boise State President Marlene Tromp stating that employing a chaplain was a constitutional violation and that it could make some student athletes feel coerced into prayers against their wishes.[10] FFRF Staff Attorney Christopher Line explained, "Government chaplains may only exist as an accommodation of a public employee’s religious beliefs when the government makes it difficult or impossible to seek out private ministries...Boise State football players have no government-imposed burden on their religion, so there is no need — or legitimate legal reason — for Boise State to provide a chaplain for them."

Boise State responded by eliminating the official chaplain position and pledged to take measures to "resolve the issue and establish appropriate constitutional boundaries."[11] President Tromp emphasized the importance of students' rights to make their own choices about their spiritual lives, telling Deseret News, "Boise State will always support our students’ right to pray, should they wish to do so. As a public institution, we cannot sponsor or endorse a specific religious advisor."[12]

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a non-profit law firm promoting religious accommodationism, criticized the FFRF after Boise State's pledge to reform. Becket Fund vice president Luke Goodrich called the FFRF "bullies" and erroneously claimed that it had forced a Kansas middle school to end their Christmas toy drive.[13][14] "Many public universities have team chaplains, and it’s not only constitutional but good to accommodate players’ voluntary religious practices in this way," said Goodrich.

Players drafted into the NFL

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Round Pick Player Position NFL Club
4 124 John Bates TE Washington Football Team
5 183 Avery Williams CB Atlanta Falcons

References

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  1. ^ "WE'RE BACK". twitter.com/MountainWest. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  2. ^ "Boise State football team announces decision to forego bowl game this season". KTVB. December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  3. ^ Counts, Ron (December 20, 2020). "Boise State won't play in a bowl game, ending streak at 18 straight appearances". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  4. ^ "Auburn names Boise State's Harsin as new coach". December 22, 2020.
  5. ^ "Broncos' 2020 Schedule Announced". Boise State University. February 27, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  6. ^ "Boise State, local businesses will lose millions with cancellation of fall football". KTVB.com. August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  7. ^ "Mountain West postpones football, fall sports". ESPN.com. August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  8. ^ "Mountain West Announces Revised Football Schedule". Boise State University Athletics. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  9. ^ Walch, Tad (November 11, 2020). "The story behind BYU and Boise State football players joining hands to pray after their game". DeseretNews. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  10. ^ Line, Christopher. "Unconstitutional Chaplaincy and Open Records Request" (PDF). Freedom From Religion Foundation.
  11. ^ "Boise State downgrades chaplaincy after FFRF protests". Freedom From Religion Foundation. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  12. ^ Walch, Tad (December 17, 2020). "Boise State keeps team chaplain away from game after atheists protest postgame prayer with BYU". Deseret News. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  13. ^ Line, Christopher. "Multiple Constitutional Violations" (PDF). Freedom From Religion Foundation. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  14. ^ Helfrich, Tony. "Letter to FFRF" (PDF). Freedom From Religion Foundation. Retrieved March 3, 2021.