Idaho Sports Talk

Week two of Touchdowns For Tickets comes to an end with another winner of Boise State football season tickets - 12 more chances to qualify next week (the third and final week of our annual contest), Boise State opens camp next week - will the Broncos go with live, physical tackling in fall camp like they did in the spring, we honor the life of former NFL player, Super Bowl champion and Eagle High football coach Jordan Devey who passed away earlier this month, Jordan's mom, Leslie, joins the show to talk about her son, his battle with CTE and how it can be spotted early enough to make a difference, B.J. with his weekly BNN Report - this time from Banana Ball inside Albertsons Stadium, former Boise State WR Cam Camper joins the Jets and becomes the 15th former Bronco in the NFLSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, is on vacation so Prater and Greg take over with a pre-camp debate: Should the Broncos, who struggled with tackling during the 2025 season, go live with physical tackling when camp opens Wednesday? Coach Spencer Danielson went with that strategy in spring camp. Does it make sense in fall camp?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TOUCHDOWNS FOR TICKETS ... We qualify more contestants for our three-week contest to give away six pairs of Boise State season tickets (new winner announced 5:30 p.m. Friday), Boise State football general manager Brandon Jones on last-minute camp details, what does the special teams depth chart look like going into camp (Bronco Focus), Oregon insider Steve Tannen (95.3 The Score) on the Ducks roster - is the team really that good, plus NFL camp headlines/interviews with Ashton Jeanty, Kellen Moore and Taysom HillSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State opens fall camp Wednesday, with players scheduled to officially report by Tuesday. General manager Brandon Jones joins Prater and Greg for a conversation about last-minute details, what needs to be done before Wednesday and how the new north end zone complex will play a role in this year's month-long camp.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Tannen, with 95.3 The Score in Eugene (broadcast home of the Oregon Ducks), joins Prater and Greg for a conversation about the 2026 roster. The Ducks are loaded with national championship expectations. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the roster? More important, could Oregon win a natty - if it loses to Boise State on Sept. 5?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, is on vacation so Prater and Greg take over with a look at special teams. The unit struggled with elite production last season - how will it be different in 2026, starting with position battles in fall camp starting next week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TOUCHDOWNS FOR TICKETS ... We qualify more contestants and determine a new winner for our three-week contest to give away six pairs of Boise State season tickets (three more chances to qualify Thursday), Oregon coach Dan Lanning speaks from Big Ten Media Days - what does he say about rock-star QB Dante Moore, Bob talks about two new position coaches on the Boise State football team in Bronco Focus, catching up with Kellen Moore (Saints) and Ashton Jeanty (Raiders) as the NFL dives into training camps, is Moore the best QB in college football or is it Ole Miss' Trinidad ChamblissSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Greg to share his report on two new position coaches for the football program: Tights end coach Justin Udy and cornerbacks coach DJ Killings. Udy has Idaho ties and Killings has an NFL resume. How did Boise State land two new coaches - and what kind of talent are they working with this season?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Touchdown for Tickets - three more chances to qualify for a shot to win Boise State football season tickets (three more chances to qualify every day this week - and next), Cam Bates talks about Boise State wide receivers and their drop problems from last year (and how the issue is being addressed this offseason), Bob talks to Bates and dives into details behind the WR room in Bronco Focus, what is Memphis coach Charles Huff saying two days before the Tigers open fall camp (Memphis at Boise State on Sept. 12), NFL coaches in trouble - including former Boise State standout Gerald AlexanderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Greg to share his Media Day interview with returning wide receiver Cam Bates. The speedy junior is part of a crowded WR room this season - but an important part of the passing game for QB Maddux Madsen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Ballgame to share his Media Day interview with presumed starting right guard Roger Carreon. The redshirt senior was a mainstay starter last season but missed spring camp - what's the potential for a strong finish from Carreon?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Boise State football All-American and Seattle Seahawks draft pick Larry Polowski joins the show in-studio for all three hours, celebrating 42 years of Idaho Sports Talk. Polowski, the inspiration and co-host behind IST in 1985, shares the story of how IST started and some of his favorite memories and interviews (and most challenging interviews). Polowski also dives into the future of sports talk radio/sports media in Boise - and beyond. Plus, Bob with Bronco Focus and more from Boise State football Media Day on Wednesday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Ballgame to share a few nuggets from Boise State Media Day on Wednesday. What does Sire Gaines think about the Broncos having two 1,000-yard running backs this season?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State football conducted Media Day on Wednesday inside Albertsons Stadium - and we share exclusive interviews with team leaders Maddux Madsen and Jayden Virgin-Morgan (with Prater and Ballgame) and head coach Spencer Danielson (Bob in Bronco Focus), plus Greg interviews several players and coaches - what do they know about the Pac-12? We share a few other items that we learned during three hours with the football team.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State senior quarterback Maddux Madsen joins Prater and Ballgame for an exclusive conversation from Media Day at Albertsons Stadium. He's helped the Broncos to win three conference championships, but he hasn't won over the fan base. How can that change in 2026? What will his legacy be after this season - and how much does he think about legacy? And what about that honeymoon to Europe, where he encountered a Boise State fan in Italy?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior Jayden Virgin-Morgan joins Prater and Ballgame for an exclusive conversation at Boise State Media Day - Wednesday on the north end zone concourse inside Albertsons Stadium. JVM is the leader of the defense and a leader in the locker room, but what about production. Can he chase down more QBs in 2026? And what's his plan for continuing his career in the NFL?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Ballgame to share his Boise State Media Day conversation with football coach Spencer Danielson. What does he know about the Pac-12?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our annual Touchdowns for Tickets contest continues - listen daily over the next three weeks for a chance to win Boise State football season tickets (first winner announced during Wednesday's show), we preview Boise State football Media Day on Wednesday (what's Maddux Madsen thinking these days?), Bob talks about Boise State and CFP ingredients in Bronco Focus, will Jeremiyah Love (Cardinals) have a better rookie season in 2026 than Ashton Jeanty (Raiders) did in 2025, Aaron Rodgers is bonding with teammates and family - sincere or an act?, what's the future of ESPN and sports mediaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Ballgame for a conversation about what it takes to land a CFP invite. What ingredients worked in the past when Boise State landed in four Fiesta Bowls? What's it going to take this year - especially when it comes to coaching and the schedule?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IT'S BACK - our favorite contest of the year: Touchdowns For Tickets and your chance to win a pair of 2026 Boise State football season tickets (listen to the show for chances to qualify every hour, Monday through Thursday, for the next three weeks - six winners will be announced Wednesdays and Fridays) ... Bob dives into Boise State's defense in Bronco Focus, former Boise State/current Cleveland Browns safety Zion Washington joins the show three days before opening his first NFL training camp, Idaho State voted ahead of Idaho in Big Sky preseason media polls, is Fresno State the biggest game on the Broncos' schedule, thoughts on the World Cup, Weekend Winners & LosersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Boise State defensive back Zion Washington joins Prater and Ballgame for a conversation - three days before reporting to his first NFL training camp with the Browns. The safety has been working out in Texas for two months and has high hopes of making the roster - along with his cousin. That would be former Boise State/Arkansas QB Taylen Green, now also with the Browns.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Ballgame for a conversation about this season's version of Boise State's defense. He compares the 2026 roster to four previous Boise State defenses that played in Fiesta Bowls.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Riley O'Brien was an eighth-round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft out of the College of Idaho. He became an MLB All-Star nine years later. He joined Johnny and Greg to discuss his journey on Idaho Sports Talk.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johnny and Greg (in for Prater) wrap up the week catching up with Boise State soccer coach Jim Thomas to preview the big soccer game on Sunday afternoon between Spain and Argentina. Johnny also tries to get Greg more into the game by attempting to sell him on what's being billed as a huge halftime show. Bob checks in with Baseball with Bob where he previews the second half of the Major League Baseball season. Later on, Phil Steele catches up with Johnny and Greg to preview Boise State's Football season and look around the rest of the Pac 12. In the final hour of the show, College of Idaho product and MLB All-Star Riley O'Brien talks with Johnny and Greg about his journey to the Midsummer Classic. Plus, the guys conclude the week with the traditional Friday Five segment but also throw in a big show announcement at the end!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Thursday's show, Johnny and Greg (in for Prater) caught up with Thomas Harding, Rockies beat writer for MLB.com to discuss Idaho product Gabriel Hughes getting the ball in Colorado's first game out of the All-Star break on Friday. Is Hughes going to stay in the rotation for the rest of the season for the Rockies? As the sports calendar dries up, what kinds of sports documentaries do you enjoy with a new season of "Quarterback" available on Netflix. Johnny and Greg also have had some home repairs this week. Are you the kind of person that likes to be home when the repair work is being done to monitor the situation? Plus, the duo took a look at Boise State's pass rush. How much better does it need to be in 2026 compared to last year. Lastly, with no PAC 12 media days going on, what are some of the conference's hottest talking points entering the first year of the reconfigured league.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob continues checking in on the strengths of some previous Boise State Football teams that have played in the Fiesta Bowl. On Thursday, he looked at how the rushing attacks have been for the teams that played on one of College Football's biggest stages.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob starts a four-part series by looking at some of the QB play Boise State has gotten in its four seasons that have ended with appearances in Fiesta Bowls.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Mountain West and Sun Belt having their media days on Wednesday and Thursday, Johnny and Greg (in for Prater) took a look at some of the top projected teams in each league and if the conference champions from either conference could challenge Boise State for the G6 College Football Playoff berth. What are some of the most intriguing storylines in the NFL with training camps set to open next week? Also, there were a lot of big movies released on this day as Johnny and Greg take a look back on some notable titles in pop culture. Plus, as Maddux Madsen enters his final season as Boise State's starting quarterback, is there more pressure on Madsen or Zak Hill. Who are some other assistants on BSU's staff that have a lot of pressure on themselves?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johnny and Greg (in for Prater) were joined by Englishman and AC Boise player Charlie Adams as England prepares for a big semifinal against Argentina and Charlie continues to play soccer in the Treasure Valley. Bob hops in for an All-Star game edition of Baseball with Bob. Plus, is the ACC the forgotten power four league? How would Boise State perform in the weakest of the four power conferences? What are things going to look like in the defensive backfield for Boise State in 2026 with Jaden Mickey being the only returning starter? Lastly, with College of Idaho's Ryan O'Brien in the MLB All-Star Game tonight, Johnny and Greg discussed some other Idaho ties to the midsummer classic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Rocky Mountain High School graduate and current Colorado Rockies pitcher joined Johnny and Greg to talk about what the last few weeks have been like for him. Hughes made his Major League debut on July 3 on the mound at Coors Field and got his first start on July 8 at Dodger Stadium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob runs through how likely it might be that both Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines rush for over 1,000 yards in 2026 and provides some historical context on Boise State's rushing attacks of years past.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johnny and Greg (in for Prater) get the week started with the usual weekend winners and losers segment. It's the middle of July which means it's All-Star time in Major League Baseball and there are two former Boise Hawks in the HR Derby. Johnny and Greg looked back on the history of Boise Hawks who participated in the event. More baseball talk later on in the show as the Rocky Mountain High School graduate Gabriel Hughes joins to discuss getting to the major leagues with the Colorado Rockies earlier this month and what his first start was like at Dodger Stadium. Lastly, who do you think is going to be Boise State's best receiver in 2026 and could that player top the numbers LaTrell Caples posted last season as the leading receiver for the Broncos?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Which team finishes last this Pac-12 football season - we target Oregon State and Colorado State, B.J. (BNN Report) joins the show to talk about which community (Corvallis or Fort Collins?) is best equipped to help build those two programs, temperature check on Boise State defensive coordinator Erik Chinander (what kind of job is he doing?), AC Boise soccer owner Brad Stith on the success of his club and the impact of a World Cup, the KTIK crew joins TikTok and we need lots of advice!!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, is on vacation this week as Prater and Ballgame take over his segment to talk about the Pac-12 football season. Earlier in the week, we talked about top contenders? New conversation: Which team finishes last?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Boise State basketball assistant coach/offensive coordinator Will Voigt joins the show - what's his story and what's his plan to improve the Broncos' offense, temperature check on football offensive coordinator Nate Potter (and expectations to get better in 2026), Rocky Mountain High graduate Gabriel Hughes "elite'' in his first major-league pitching start for the Rockies, Boise State football players who could stick around for another season thanks to the new NCAA 5-for-5 rule, best quarterback heading into a new NFL season, who's your foursome if you're playing celebrity golf in Lake TahoeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Boise State assistant basketball coach Will Voigt, previously at BYU, joins Prater and Ballgame for a conversation about his new role in Boise. Why? His two children live here and he's built a relationship with head coach Leon Rice. The goal? A more aggressive, attacking, consistent offense. One additional role? International recruiting. GRAPHIC courtesy of Boise State AthleticsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, is on vacation this week as Prater and Ballgame take over his segment to talk about how the new rule (five years to play five seasons) impacts four senior starters on the Broncos' football roster: EDGE rusher Max Stege, LT Tyler Ethridge, WR Akeem Wright and P Oscar Doyle. All four could take advantage of the new rule and return for a fifth season in 2027.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should Boise State football continue to schedule the Oregon Ducks - especially after what Broncos' coach Spencer Danielson said in a recent publication: "You know what, you don’t have to beat them 10 times; you have to find a way to beat them once, right?,'' we have our thoughts - what are yours, Rocky Mountain High graduate Gabriel Hughes (Rockies) makes his debut as a MLB starting pitcher Wednesday night against the Dodgers - what does his high school pitching coach Chris Frith have to say about that, Garth Brooks going on national "arena'' tour - ExtraMile Arena on the schedule?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, is on vacation this week as Prater and Ballgame take over his segment to talk about football coach Spencer Danielson and what he recently told a publication regarding the Sept. 5. game at Oregon: "You’re always going to have one of those games that is outside your weight class, but you know what, you don’t have to beat them 10 times; you have to find a way to beat them once, right?'' We have our thoughts. How do you feel about the comment?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pac-12 football isn't sponsoring media days this summer - we'll take over the story-telling starting with the top offensive/defensive players in the league this season (are Maddux Madsen and Jayden Virgin-Morgan players of the year candidates?), Memphis beat writer on why Boise State is the biggest game on the Tigers' schedule, who are the top G6/CFP contenders going into a new season, more from Boise sculptor Ben Victor on the Kellen Moore statue, what's the FIFTH sport in America (Soccer? Golf? MMA? NASCAR? Something else?)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Memphis beat writer Jonah Dylan (The Commercial Appeal) joins Prater and Greg for a segment on the Tigers' and their 2026 football season. Dylan recently wrote a story suggesting that the Boise State game is the biggest, most difficult game on the Tigers' schedule. What's their story as we approach a new college football season?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, is on vacation this week as Prater and Greg take over his segment. We replay highlights from a previous interview with Ben Victor, the nationally known sculptor who is working on a new 9-foot bronze statue of Kellen Moore. What is the process? The timeline? How much does a statue cost?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise sculptor Ben Victor joins Prater and Frank to talk about his anticipated project - a 9-foot Kellen Moore statue that will be unveiled this football season, the nationally-known Victor talks about the process and the details, we preview Tyson Degenhart's appearance with Toronto in NBA Summer League, curiosities for a Boise State football camp that begins in a month, World Cup correspondent Jim Thomas (Boise State women's soccer coach) and Ballgame (from Seattle) on USA-Belgium, Weekend Winners & LosersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, is on vacation this week as Prater and Greg take over his segment. The focus turns to Tyson Degenhart, Boise State basketball's all-time leading scorer who returns to Vegas this week for the Toronto Raptor's appearance in NBA Summer League.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now that Kellen Moore is getting a statue at Boise State, who's next: Chris Petersen or Ashton Jeanty (and why?), former Boise State RB Alexander Mattison on the unique football camp he's bringing to Boise (with an update on his NFL career), the story of Nate and Debbie Sparks - two former Boise State athletes who live in Meridian and raised two children with elite athletic futures (NHL Draft, LSU gymnastics), Bob (Bronco Focus) on what he's learning about Boise State football during this summer magazine season, Friday Five - our week in review, with a twistSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Boise State running back Alexander Mattison, now a veteran in the NFL, joins the show to talk about his Life Skills Football Camp coming to Boise later this month. It's a three-day camp - and it's free. Mattison said the camp will combine life skills, mental health workshops and plenty of competitive football. INFO: horseshoecamps.com/iamgiftedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nate Sparks is a former Boise State quarterback (1997-98) and Debbie (Thompson) Sparks is a former Big West gymnastics champion for the Broncos - they eventually married and raised a family in Meridian. Son Tyus is the first Treasure Valley athlete selected in the NHL Draft (last weekend, fourth round, Washington Capitals) and daughter Kiari is a senior at Mountain View High and a five-star recruit who has committed to LSU for the Class of 2027. Nate and Debbie join the show to share their journey. PHOTO courtesy of the Sparks familySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Johnny to share what he's learned after diving into a new batch of college football magazines. No. 1: Boise State EDGE rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan is getting preseason All-American love.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We celebrate Boise State's first official day in the Pac-12 with the one interview that makes the most sense - Kellen Moore, former Boise State QB and Hall of Famer joins the show to talk about his new statue coming to campus (and a new season in the NFL with the Saints), we explain all changes that happened in college athletics Wednesday, Pac-12 has made new decisions regarding postseason basketball tournament, Boise State soccer coach Jim Thomas, our World Cup correspondent, on USA's knockout game Wednesday night See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State quarterback and Hall of Famer Kellen Moore joins Prater and Mallory for an exclusive interview - one day after the Broncos unveiled plans for an 11-foot bronze statue near the entrance of the football complex. Moore talks about how the idea came about, his involvement in the process and what it means to his former teammates and family. Moore also talks about the upcoming new season as head coach the New Orleans Saints in the NFL. PHOTO courtesy of Boise State AthleticsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Johnny to go back in the record book and share Kellen Moore's history against Pac-12 opponents. The former Boise State QB, who's receiving a statue on campus this fall, played four P12 teams between 2008-2011. He won all four, of course.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.