Boise proves it's class of WAC

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

•	Boise St. at Hawai'i When: Saturday Kickoff: 6:35 p.m. Where: Aloha Stadium

It was their angry response to the Bronco football team being snubbed for a postseason bowl in 2001.

In 2002, the Broncos went 12-1, won a bowl game and finished in the top 15.

While playing basketball, head football coach Dan Haw-kins came up with this year's cry of "Prove It" — inspired by the call for an encore when somebody hits an unbelievable shot in the shooting game of H-O-R-S-E.

This year, the Broncos, who play Hawai'i Saturday at Aloha Stadium, are proving their success is not a one-shot deal. As a hana hou, the Broncos have won 11 of 12 regular-season games, clinched their second consecutive Western Athletic Conference title and ascended to No. 17 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll.

The Broncos have flourished despite one of the WAC's smallest athletic department budgets (a reported $11 million annually) and limited promotions. The school aborted a marketing campaign for quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie after he was suspended last spring.

Of the trend to flood media outlets with promotional material, BSU spokesman Max Corbet said, "We don't get into that. We let (the team's success) speak for itself."

But even in Idaho, where star-crossed baseball player Bill Buckner and actress Demi Moore can live in privacy, it is difficult to conceal the Broncos' success. Although UH was the preseason pick to win the WAC, it is the Broncos who have consistently gained points in the national polls.

BSU sold all 1,000 copies of a highlight DVD of the 2002 season, said Geneva Wyett, head of corporate services/group sales.

BSU sold out this season's first three games at 30,000-seat Bronco Stadium. Anita Guerricabeitia, assistant athletic director/ticket operations, said the Broncos sold 14,000 season tickets for football, an increase of 3,000. The family plan — $208 for season tickets for two adults and two children — "was very popular," Guerricabeitia said.

Lately, the town is painted blue.

At Busters restaurant, Bronco fans munch on finger steaks — sliced sirloin dipped in a special house batter — and down Boise Blue, a concoction made of rum, vodka, gin, 7-Up and Island Blue, said manager Lisa Pejovich. Near the Bronco Wall of Fame, the football team's seniors dined after last week's final home game.

At the Boise River Ram, across the street from the stadium, cocktails are sold at two-for-one prices, manager Cheri Dent said. The favorite is Bronco Tea, which is similar to Boise Blue. The cardiac-inducing choice is the Bronco Burger, a one-pound hamburger served with home-made fries. The featured attraction is the costume of the original Buster Bronco, the school's mascot.

The Boise River Ram is where Hawkins hosts his weekly show, and where Bronco fans gather to watch telecasts of road games.

Many fans wear the blue "Prove It" T-shirts, which have been sold in Detroit and Oregon. For this week's game, the Bronco Shop is selling aloha-print shirts, boxers and pajama pants.

"Things have changed so much," said Bennett, a former defensive end who joined the strength staff after completing his Bronco career in 1999.

Bennett remembered when people would ask if Boise was located in Iowa. Now, he said, "people are impressed when I tell them I'm a coach at Boise State. Everyone knows about (the Broncos). It's nice."

Warrior report: Two key UH players — strong safety Hyrum Peters and left slotback Chad Owens — did not practice yesterday because of injuries.

Peters has stiffness in the back of his neck. He said he does not know how he suffered the injury.

"It just happened (Tuesday)," he said. "Somehow, I put the helmet on, ran for a little bit and the next thing you know my neck was getting stiff."

He wore a padded neck collar yesterday.

For the second day in a row, Owens was walking on crutches to ease the pain in the sprained big toe on his left foot. He suffered the injury against Army on Nov. 22 and aggravated it against Alabama on Saturday.

"No need to worry," Owens said. "I'll be out there. I just have to stay off of it. It's getting better every day."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.