RENO, Nev. — These should be optimistic times for Boise State, which has not lost a Western Athletic Conference football game in more than three seasons.

But the Broncos have been dealing with the emotions surrounding the legal problems of strong safety Cam Hall, who faces four felony counts for a traffic accident that killed a family of three in May.

In published reports, prosecutors allege that Hall was racing his Ford Mustang at speeds of more than 100 mph while trying to pass a truck. The truck slammed into a car, killing a couple and their 5-week-old daughter. Hall, whose car allegedly avoided the collision by moving into the opposing lane, didn't stop, prosecutors said in published reports.

While awaiting trial, Hall is attending Boise State and working out with the team but has removed himself from the active roster. School officials have allowed him to remain on scholarship.

"That was definitely a big shock to everybody," said BSU linebacker Korey Hall, who is representing the Broncos at the WAC Football Media Preview at the Reno Hilton.

Korey Hall said he is hopeful Cam Hall will be cleared. "I think it'll end up working out all right," he said. Being found "not guilty is a thing on his mind, everybody's mind, I imagine. If everything works out for him, everybody on the team would be glad. If you knew Cam, you knew he'd never be involved in something like that."

BSU offensive lineman Daryn Colledge said the players remain supportive. Hall was tied for fifth on the team with 46 tackles last season.

"He's a friend," Colledge said, adding, "he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and maybe (he didn't) make the right decision."

Colledge said Hall acted correctly in deciding not to play while his case is pending.

"He's got a lot on his plate," Colledge said. "He's handling it like a man. He's doing what he has to do. We'll see what happens in his trial. We all hope he's cleared of any wrongdoing. But he has to do it on his own right now."

FSU QB FEELING HEAT FROM HOME FANS

Think Fresno State fans treat opposing teams harshly? FSU quarterback Paul Pinegar, who is 25-8 as a starter (including 3-0 in bowl games), was booed often at Bulldog Stadium last season.

"They're hard on him," teammate Garrett McIntyre said. "He's got the tough job. He's the quarterback."

FSU coach Pat Hill said Pinegar, a senior, has had the misfortune of succeeding David Carr, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft.

"Sometimes you follow a person who's very good, and sometimes it's hard to live up to those expectations," Hill said.

Pinegar said: "People expect more. David Carr set the tone. He got us on the national stage. The expectations are higher. They want us to go further, and they expect me to take them there."

Pinegar conceded he was "disappointed" at being the guest of honor at the 'boos' parties.

"But there's nothing you can do about it," he said. "Why sit and moan and groan about it? I still have to go out and play my game, whether they're behind me or not behind me. My biggest thing is going out there and proving them wrong."

Pinegar acknowledged his Q rating could change if the Bulldogs win the WAC title this season. Since joining the WAC in 1992, the Bulldogs have shared the league title three times, the last in 1999.

"We haven't done it since I've been here," Pinegar said. "Maybe I'll earn some respect as the quarterback who won the WAC."

IDAHO LINEBACKER IS BIG-TIME TACKLER

With wire-framed glasses and a horse whisperer's voice, Idaho's Cole Snyder does not fit the image of a linebacker who amassed 136 tackles last season. The 5-foot-10 Snyder said many of his classmates don't recognize him as a football player.

"I think my size is a benefit," he said. "Being the smaller guy, I kind of creep through to make tackles."

In his free time, Snyder hunts near his home in Kamiah, Idaho. He shoots elk and deer for food, and sells the hides and gall bladders of black bears and cougars.

Snyder said he uses hound dogs to hunt black bears. "We tree 'em," he said. "They're up in the tree, and we shoot them out of the tree. It's definitely an experience you would enjoy if you like that kind of stuff."

LEAGUE STANDS FIRM ON NOT USING REPLAYS

WAC commissioner Karl Benson yesterday reaffirmed the league's decision not to use replays to settle questionable calls this season.

Benson said the decision was financially based. Of the 36 conference games this season, 20 are televised or will be played in stadiums equipped with JumboTron video. He said it would cost $25,000 per game to videotape the other 16 games.

Instead, Benson said, the WAC will experiment with a digital-recording system, which will be used to monitor controversial plays but not settle on-field disputes.