BOISE — The Broncos got the 49 - 30 win against Air Force Saturday without starting quarterback Hank Bachmeier, who did not travel with the team for an undisclosed reason.
During his weekly press availability, Boise State head football coach Bryan Harsin praised backup quarterback Jack Sears for stepping up in his first career start against Air Force.
Sears completed 17 of 20 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Now, the big question leading into this week's matchup: who will the Broncos starting quarterback be?
“We will see. Jack still has to continue his preparation this week; Hank obviously has got to continue to keep developing,” said Harsin.
He did not say if Bachmeier will return this week or who will start. However, Harsin revealed defensive end Demitri Washington is out for the rest of the season because of an injury he sustained against during the Air Force game. Washington had an MRI Tuesday, but no other details have been released.
The NCAA's DI council voted back in September to ban Divison I practices and competitions on election day, giving student-athletes a chance to vote. Harsin said some teams asked for waivers, but the Broncos didn't.
“We are not going to backpedal on this deal. It is what it is. It’s important. It was important then, and it’s still important now. It doesn’t change. I told our staff and players they have a responsibility today.”
Tuesday's off-day will shorten their already short prep week ahead of Friday's game.
“After you practice Thursday and you flip it around for a Friday night, that’s two days in one and the coaches and the GA's, it’s a scramble to flip it around and lock it into having a really great Friday night meeting," said Harsin.
The Broncos climbed four spots to 21st in the latest AP Poll. The offense has been efficient, but that will be tested this week against the No. 9 ranked BYU Cougars and their tough defense.
"We’re obviously playing well and trying to be efficient. That is the goal on the offensive side," said Harsin. Hopefully, that consistency will continue and we can execute and be consistent. I hope those two things keep showing up because we are going to need it.”
After losing some key players on offense, the Broncos will have to rely on their depth.
"We have to be creative that way, and we have to utilize some of our other skill players to be able to run the ball and do different things,” said Harsin.
“It comes down to every single little detail. That’s what's so great about it one team makes more mistakes than the other, and it’s going to show because we have two really good teams going at it, and those little things matter," said Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir.
Boise State is 5-0 at home against the Cougars and 7-3 overall, but this is a rivalry that is always physical.
“The level of competition that’s on the field, I mean it shows every single time we step out there, and us two teams go at it," said Shakir. "It’s always a fun game to be apart of, and just to see what happens this Friday is going to be fun.”
The team is back on the blue this Friday with kickoff at 7:45 p.m. on FS1. No fans are allowed at the game.
