Prater & The Ballgame

Boise State football opens its Mountain West season at Air Force on Saturday night - we preview the game with final details, along with Bob (Bronco Focus), B.J. (BNN Report) and former Utah State/NFL running back Robert Turbin (on the call with CBSSN), Civil War and Apple Cup are featured in our weekly College Football Six Pack, Johnny's emotions as he travels to Seattle to watch Kellen Moore coach against the Seahawks, Khalil Shakir gets his first TD of the seasonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Utah State running back Robert Turbin, a Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks, joins Prater and Mallory for his preview of Saturday night's Mountain West opener for Boise State. Turbin, the color analyst for the game in Colorado Springs, also touches on Ashton Jeanty and how the Raiders handled his workload in last week's game against the Chargers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State reporter B.J. Rains (BroncoNationNews.com) joins Prater and Mallory from Colorado, where he's covering the BSU-Air Force game on Saturday night. How bad is Air Force's pass defense? What's the difference between the Falcons' two quarterbacks? Who's the all-around standout who could threaten Boise State?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, joins Prater and Mallory to share his preview of Saturday night's Mountain West opener at Air Force. As is typically the case against the option-oriented Falcons, success always starts with ball control. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from Broadway on the Rocks inside Albertsons on Broadway, Boise State coach Spencer Danielson on being more of a "hard-ass'' this season, Bob on the oral history of BSU-Air Force in Bronco Focus, how are BSU transfers playing at their new schools (five players a combined 12-2 with new teams, and four NFL prospects), what are your must-haves when it comes to tailgatingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share the highs and lows of a Mountain West rivalry that could go away after Saturday's game in Colorado Springs. The narrative has always focused on the Falcons' option offense - what until you hear how Boise State QBs have performed against Air Force's defense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty says he wants more carries after Monday night's debacle, meet new Boise State nickel/safety Jayden Mickey who graduated from Notre Dame while playing three seasons with the Irish, Bob talks to coaches and players about the Air Force game in Bronco Focus, Bengals activate QB2 Brett Rypien to the 53-man roster, how to buy a piece of the original blue turf from 1986 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jay Sharman, the founder of CollectU, joins Prater and Mallory to explain his company's new partnership with Boise State athletics. CollectU visits college campuses across the nation, refurbishes old and dated memorabilia and turns them into auction items for fans. CollectU will have a season-long series of Boise State merchandise to sell at bsu.givesmart.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share parts of interviews he conducted for this week's Spencer Danielson coach's show. Bob also talks to defensive coordinator Erik Chinander, wide receiver Chris Marshall and nose tackle David Latu.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breaking down Ashton Jeanty's Monday night struggles against the Chargers - the former Boise State RB star didn't have a good game and neither did the entire Raiders team (Chip Kelly included), getting to know RB Dylan Riley (leads Boise State in rushing only months after the passing of his father), Bob features QB Maddux Madsen in Bronco Focus, where's WR Khalil Shakir and why aren't the Bills using him more, all-time memories, favorite movies and Boise stories involving Hollywood icon Robert Redford, who passed away TuesdaySee 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 Mallory to share parts of Tuesday's interview with quarterback Maddux Madsen. Bob paints a picture for Madsen to have a big game in Saturday's Mountain West opener at Air Force.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We keep pushing the Ashton Jeanty-Travis Hunter rivalry, but what about Jeanty and fellow NFL running back Omarion Hampton (Raiders vs. Chargers on Monday night), BSU coach Spencer Danielson on bye week priorities, new Mountain West availability/injury reports, Charlie Kirk and 9/11, who are the best five teams in college football based on wins (and not slotted preseason polls), more than 25 channels are carrying college football games this season - is that good or bad for fans, Bob with his early Air Force preview in Bronco FocusSee 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 Mallory to share his early preview of the Broncos' road game against Air Force on Saturday. The Falcons are pesky (as always) on offense with two quarterbacks, but their defense looks vulnerable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johnny and Greg wrap up the week with a tribute to the Kibbie Dome's 50th anniversary and are joined by Vandal historian Tom Morris. Bob goes around Major League Baseball and Bob, Johnny and Greg all share how they're feeling about their teams with the postseason right around the corner. BJ Rains of Bronco Nation News hops on for his weekly hit talking a lot of basketball with the football team on a bye week. Johnny and Greg preview the BSU NFL Week 2 action and Greg is back with another edition of the Friday Five.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Boise State's football team on a bye week, Johnny and Greg check in with BJ talking some Bronco basketball in light of the conference schedule being finalized this week. They also look ahead to what the season might look like on the hardwood and preview the Mountain West opener on Saturday between Air Force and Utah State.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johnny and Greg check in with Howard Bender of fantasyalarm.com to preview the Thursday Night Football game between the Washington Commanders and the Green Bay Packers. Bob looks at a pivotal early-season clash in the Mountain West this weekend between Utah State and Air Force. Greg and Johnny evaluate the jobs the first-year Mountain West coaches have done so far in 2025. Lee Sterling of Paramount Sports stops by for his weekly spot. Johnny and Greg also look at some of the biggest sports fans that served as unifiers for the country on the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Boise State and four other Mountain West teams on a bye this week, there isn't a ton of Mountain West action to preview, but Bob zeroed in specifically on Utah State hosting Air Force.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johnny and Greg get you over the hump and look ahead to Taylen Green and Malachi Nelson both playing ranked opponents this weekend. Bob talks with Leon Rice in Bronco Focus as the 2025-26 Mountain West conference schedule has been finalized. Johnny and Greg also re-draft the 2024 NFL QB class after JJ McCarthy is named the NFC's Offensive Player of the Week and they get the opinion of CFB writer Chris Vannini at The Athletic on what's going on with The American, Mountain West and Sun Belt in the G5 CFP race.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Vannini of The Athletic joins Johnny and Greg to discuss just how much of a blow Boise State's loss was to South Florida in the G5 CFP race with the American Conference off to a good start. Plus, is the Mountain West even the second-best conference in the Group of Five?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Mountain West men's basketball schedule now finalized for 2025-26, Bob caught up with Boise State men's basketball coach Leon Rice to get his thoughts on what lies ahead for the Broncos on the hardwood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johnny and Greg discuss the early-season concerns for the Mountain West in the race for the Group of Five's automatic bid in to the College Football playoff, Bob gets some perspective from Raiders radio announcer Jason Horowitz on Ashton Jeanty's NFL debut, Vandals coach Thomas Ford checks in with the 50th anniversary of the Kibbie Dome being celebrated on Saturday, and BSU AD Jeramiah Dickey joins for his monthly spot.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State Athletic Director Jeramiah Dickey joins Johnny and Greg to discuss how things went at Albertsons Stadium for last week's football home opener, the design of the football team's new helmets which will debut at the end of the month against App State, scheduling more season openers at home and an update on where things stand with a future football game against Idaho.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vandals coach Thomas Ford joins Johnny and Greg to discuss the state of his team after two games, the 50th anniversary of the Kibbie Dome and how close we might be to seeing a game between Idaho and Boise State.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob gets the perspective in Vegas on Ashton Jeanty's NFL debut from Raiders radio play-by-play announcer Jason Horowitz.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johnny and Greg react to Boise State's first victory of the season, the first Sunday of NFL action in 2025, Ashton Jeanty's Raiders debut and Kellen Moore's head coaching debut with the Saints, and ponder if now is a good time for Boise State's first bye week of the 2025 season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob recaps the good from Friday's win and highlights the strong rushing attack and Jaden Mickey's increased role in the secondary while also noting the struggles in the kicking game for the Broncos.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johnny "Ballgame" Mallory and Greg Frank are live from Ridley's Family Markets in Middleton. The NFL season kicks off on Thursday night and Greg is fired up for his Eagles to defend their super bowl crown. Both Johnny and Greg share their thoughts on another NFL season getting started, share some things they'd like to see change in Boise State's game plan ahead of Friday's home opener against Eastern Washington, give their favorite NFL storylines for 2025 and discuss Kellen Moore's head coaching debut and Ashton Jeanty's NFL debut with both set for Sunday.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, joins Ballgame and Greg to share some of his observations from speaking with Boise State WRs coach Matt Miller, WR Ben Ford and DT Braxton Fely on his weekly coaches show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State hosts Eastern Washington in a Friday night home opener - Bob (Bronco Focus) takes a look at what needs to change after last week's loss at USF (No. 1 change - the running game), associate AD/operations Nathan Burk on what fans can expect Friday, especially the north end zone construction impact (and stadium entrances), there are 11 former Boise State players on 53-man rosters in the NFL - who has the best shot to reach the Super Bowl (or go deep into the playoffs), Rick Neuheisel on what he saw in the Boise State opener - and his favorite things about college football todaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nathan Burk, a senior associate athletic director/operations at Boise State, joins Prater and Mallory to explain Albertsons Stadium changes going into a new home football season, starting Friday night against Eastern Washington. Burk touches on north-end zone construction and how it will impact the game-day experience, and he dives into changes to stadium entrances, logistical issues on the east side and concessions.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, joins Prater and Mallory to share his four keys to getting better after the Broncos lost their season opener at USF last week. What Bob wants to see Friday night in the home opener against Eastern Washington ... No. 1: Improved run game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Longtime college football coach Rick Neuheisel, now a analyst for CBS Sports and SiriusXM, joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about Boise State, its slow start in the USF opener, replacing Ashton Jeanty and Dirk Koetter, fixing effort ... and all the things he still cherishes when it comes to the current state of college football. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Giving away tickets to the Boise State football home opener all week, how coach Spencer Danielson (and his two coordinators) explain what happened in the USF loss - and how to prevent more of the same moving forward, Bob talks to DT standout Braxton Fely in Bronco Focus, Boise ad director on the new Ashton Jeanty/Kendall Auto commercials, Saints insider on what to expect from Kellen Moore's season opener this weekend (11 a.m. Sunday, vs. Arizona), what did we learn about the Mountain West this weekend, Weekend Winners & LosersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Veteran Saints reporter Ross Jackson (Locked on Saints Podcast, 104.5 ESPN, WWL-TV) joins Prater and Mallory for a deep dive into rookie head coach Kellen Moore and the impact he's had on the organization going into a new season. The Saints open their 2025 schedule at 11 a.m. Sunday at home against Arizona.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelly Knopp, the Boise-based director of the longtime Kendall Auto ad campaign featuring Boise State football icons Kellen Moore, Leighton Vander Esch and Chris Petersen, joins Prater and Mallory for a behind-the-scenes look at the new commercial featuring Ashton Jeanty. The ad was filmed over a two-day span in Boise in June, Knopp said. Future Kendall commercials, starting this weekend and airing throughout the football season, include NFL quarterbacks Justin Herbert, Bo Nixon and Marcus Mariota.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 Mallory to share Tuesday's interview with defensive tackle Braxton Fely. The senior led the Broncos' defense in the 34-7 season-opening loss in Tampa, Florida.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from Banbury Golf Course, Prater, Johnny, Bob (Bronco Focus), B.J. (Bronco Nation News) and listeners on the phone share a variety of reactions to the Broncos' 34-7 loss in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, former Boise State offensive lineman and current radio analyst Pete Cavender with his new weekly post-game report, we preview the six biggest games of the college football weekend, we give away another pair of Boise State season tickets in our Touchdowns for Tickets contestSee 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 Mallory to share the four biggest downfalls that led to a 34-7 at South Florida on Thursday night.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State reporter B.J. Rains (BroncoNationNews.com) joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about the Broncos' 34-7 loss at USF on Thursday night in Tampa. What went wrong, according to B.J.? And how can it be fixed?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BOISE STATE FOOTBALL POST-GAME CALL-IN SHOW: Boise State lost its season opener at South Florida 34-7 in Tampa on Thursday night. The Broncos opened with a 7-0 lead then gave up 34 consecutive points after a series of mistakes and poor execution. What did fans and callers have to say about the loss?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State football plays at South Florida in a season-opening game in Tampa - we cover all the game-day storylines, Bob talks four keys to a victory in Bronco Focus, our exclusive interview with head coach Spencer Danielson (season expectations and Jeanty or Jesus?), Broncos are 9-5 all-time in NFL stadiums, KTIK Best Bets with national handicapper Lee SterlingSee 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 Mallory from Tampa, Florida, to preview the Broncos' season opener at USF in Raymond James Stadium. Bob's No. 1 key to a victory: Boise State's run game, featuring Sire Gaines and Malik Sherrod.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NOTE: SPECIAL PREGAME EDITION OF PRATER & THE BALLGAME - NOON-3 P.M. ON THURSDAY ... Touchdowns for Tickets - three more qualifying chances to win Boise State football season tickets (contest runs through Friday), meet five true freshmen who made the Broncos' depth chart and traveled to Tampa for Thursday's season opener in Tampa, Bob (Bronco Focus) previews four players who could impact the outcome at USF, Lions reporter on the future of injured DE Ahmed Hassanein, new Pac-12 signs five-year media rights package with The CW (good or bad?), WR Khalil Shakir back at Bills practice and QB Brett Rypien lands on Bengals' practice squad, fantasy draft preview with Howard BenderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Detroit beat writer Nolan Bianchi (The Detroit News) joins Prater and Mallory to share a update on former Boise State defensive end Ahmed Hassanein, who suffered a pec injury in the Lions' training camp earlier this month. Hassanein, a sixth-round draft pick, was waived this week and given a injury settlement. What are the rookie's chances of rejoining the Lions later in the 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, joins Prater and Mallory from the Raymond James Stadium press box to share a list of four players he's thinking about going into the BSU-USF opener in Tampa on Thursday afternoon: Running back Sire Gaines, emerging wide receiver Chris Marshall, EDGE rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan and new kicker Colton Boomer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue another week of Touchdowns for Tickets - 15 qualifiers (three per day) and one will win a pair of Boise State season tickets Friday, Aug. 29, we get you ready for Thursday's USF opener (comments from Boise State coach Spencer Danielson about the Broncos' run game, including QB Maddux Madsen and his role), 11 former Broncos make 53-man rosters in the NFL but DE Ahmed Hassanein is released on an injury waiver - what does that mean for his future, Bob sits down with EDGE rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan in Bronco Focus - how many sacks this 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, joins Prater and Mallory to share an interview with team captain Jayden Virgin-Morgan. The redshirt sophomore from San Diego had 10 sacks last season - can that number go up in 2025? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We launch another week of Touchdowns for Tickets - 15 qualifiers (three per day) and one will win a pair of Boise State season tickets Friday, Aug. 29, we get you ready for Thursday's USF opener (comments from Boise State coach Spencer Danielson and USF play-by-play announcer Jim Louk, both focused on Bulls' QB Byrum Brown), thoughts on the Broncos' new depth chart, meet QB2 Max Cutforth (Skyview High, Nampa), Bob talks to senior linebacker and team captain Marco Notarainni in Bronco Focus, former Broncos Brett Rypien (Vikings) and Ben Dooley (Rams) looking for work - who else could lose their job before Tuesday's NFL cut deadline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jim Louk, the only play-by-play announcer in the history of USF football, joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about the Bulls, who host Boise State in potentially tricky weather Thursday in Tampa. The conversation starts with USF dual-threat quarterback Byrum Brown, who set several school records in 2023 before suffering a leg injury in the first month of the 2024 season. Brown will start a game Thursday for the first time in 11 months.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 Mallory to share an interview with senior linebacker and team captain Marco Notarainni. He'll play a key role in Thursday's opener at USF, where dual-threat QB Byrum Brown is expected create chaos against the Broncos' defense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State ends fall camp and begins full prep for USF opener on Aug. 28, college football season starts Saturday with five Zero Week games - including three involving Mountain West teams, Bronco Nation News Report with B.J., a look at Fresno State's season, deep dive in Notre Dame's schedule, Baseball with Bob and MLB realignment possibilitiesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.