Prater & The Ballgame

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES - OUR FINAL SHOW OF CHRISTMAS WEEK ... Former Boise State basketball star Tyson Degenhart joins the show to talk about his start in the NBA G-League and expectations for his pro career, should Boise State's athletic department disclose NIL payment details to the public/media, Mountain West off to 0-2 start in bowl games - what's going to happen with the final five games involving MW teams, ECHL players (including the Idaho Steelheads) planning to go on strike Friday - what does that mean for the short-term schedule, what's your favorite sports-related Christmas giftSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Boise State wide receiver star Kirby Moore, most recently the offensive coordinator at Missouri, joins Prater and Mallory for an exclusive interview during Monday's Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Albertsons Stadium. He was in Boise to watch his new team, Washington State, beat Utah State. Moore talks about being a first-year head coach in Pullman, his vision for the program and what to expect when Washington State and Boise State meet for the first time in the new Pac-12.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Washington State coach Kirby Moore, a former Boise State wide receiver, joins the show to talk about his new gig, his vision for the Cougars, life in the new Pac-12 and thoughts about his brother's NFL winning streak, Washington State beats Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, NFL report featuring Ashton Jeanty (monster Sunday), Kellen Moore (three-game winning streak) and Taysom Hill (made NFL history), the G6-P4 debate was loud and toxic over the weekend, Weekend Winners & LosersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The College Football Playoff starts this weekend and it's a much different vibe than last year without Boise State, Ashton Jeanty and the Fiesta Bowl - do you still follow the CFP and who's going to win a national title, Bob previews a new Mountain West basketball season in Bronco Focus - Boise State opens Saturday in Reno, Big Sky commissioner Tom Wistrcill on the importance of the Montana-Montana State FCS playoff game in Bozeman, B.J. addresses the future of safety Ty Benefield in his BNN Report - will the Boise State football star leave or bolt for the NFL, our Six Pack of top college football games this weekend, Friday Five - our week in review, with a twistSee 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 preview a new Mountain West basketball season. Who are the top teams? Where does Boise State sit going into Saturday's opener - the program's last ever trip to Reno?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from the annual Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Tackle Hunger event at Bishop Kelly High, we celebrate Boise's bowl game and postseason college football - what's your favorite part of the bowl season, Bronco Mendenhall (Utah State head coach) and Gage Jones (Washington State linebacker, Eagle High graduate and the only Idaho player on the Cougars' roster) join the show, Bob (Bronco Focus) talks to Boise State basketball coach Leon Rice before Saturday's Mountain West opener at Nevada, Fantasy Corner with Howard Bender, KTIK Best Bets with national handicapper Lee Sterling 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 interview highlights with basketball coach Leon Rice. His team is 8-3 with a four-game winning streak heading into the Mountain West opener at Nevada on Saturday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State football coach Spencer Danielson, during his postseason press conference, talked Wednesday about Maddux Madsen and loyalty, Kage Casey and Danielson's decision not to let him travel to the LA Bowl, and Ty Benefield's future now that he's exploring NFL options, Bob (Bronco Focus) with four players who could emerge in 2026 with big seasons, Washington State reporter Greg Woods on Kirby Moore's first day as head coach in Pullman, do the Seahawks have a legitimate shot to win a Super BowlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spokesman-Review beat writer Greg Woods joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about Kirby Moore - officially announced as Washington State's new head coach Tuesday afternoon in Pullman. The former Boise State wide receiver dives into a new era of the Pac-12, and seems to be starting with enough resources to grow a program that hasn't had a double-digit win season since 2018. PHOTO COURTESY OF WASHINGTON STATE ATHLETICSSee 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 names of four football players he expects to have a bigger role next season: DE Max Stege, LB Boen Phelps, CB Sherrod Smith and WR Quinton Brown. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If college football was a keeper league, which three Boise State players would you have to keep for the 2026 season - top names that need to be on the roster next season, former Boise State standout Kirby Moore holds first press conference as Washington State head coach, Oregon State play-by-play broadcaster Mike Parker on what he's learned about new head coach JaMarcus Shephard, Bob previews the six bowl games featuring Mountain West opponents in Bronco Focus, should Boise State distribute NIL money as a end-of-the-season bonus - based on performance and resultsSee 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 rank his favorite bowl games with Mountain West teams - Utah State-Washington State (Famous Idaho Potato), UNLV-Ohio (Frisco), Hawaii-Cal (Hawaii), New Mexico-Minnesota (Rate), Fresno State-Miami/Ohio (Arizona) and San Diego State-North Texas (New Mexico)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We check the psyche of Boise State football fans - how are you feeling after the LA Bowl loss to Washington and how are you feeling about the future, Bob breaks down football's loss/basketball's victory over Saint Mary's in Bronco Focus, college football analyst Pete Cavender with his priorities going into a new offseason, what's the future for former Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin, six former Boise State players are headed to the NFL postseason - which one has the best shot at a Super Bowl ring, Weekend Winners & LosersSee 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 recap a mixed-results weekend for the Broncos' athletic department. Football lost to Washington in the LA Bowl and basketball beat Saint Mary's in a nonconference game in Idaho Falls. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

POST-GAME CALL-IN SHOW: Boise State football finishes its season 9-5 following a lopsided loss to Washington at SoFi Stadium on Saturday night. QBs Maddux Madsen and Max Cutforth combined to throw five interceptions as the Broncos dropped their 10th straight game against a Power 4/5 opponent. The Huskies won the game with 21 straight points in the second quarter, and Boise State played the second half with Madsen on the sideline with a boot on his right foot.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State left tackle and team captain Kage Casey opts out of LA Bowl and isn't with the team for Saturday night's game against Washington, former Boise State WR Kirby Moore is the new head coach at Washington State, Bob (Bronco Focus) and B.J. (BNN Report) with their previews of the LA Bowl, former Boise State center/assistant coach Scott Huff joins the show - he also coached at Washington at works at SoFi Stadium as the Rams tight ends coach, our Six Pack of bowl games featuring Mountain West teams, Friday Five - our week in review with a twistSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Boise State center/assistant coach Scott Huff, who also coached at Washington under Chris Petersen, joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about the LA Bowl on Saturday night. This season, Huff is the tight ends coach for the Los Angeles Rams, who play in SoFi Stadium, the site of Saturday's bowl game. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State reporter B.J. Rains (BroncoNationNews.com) joins Prater and Mallory for breaking news from the LA Bowl - Broncos' starting left tackle Kage Casey will not play in the game, Spencer Danielson announced Friday. Casey will begin preparing for the NFL Draft while Boise State takes on Washington. 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 give his preview of Saturday night's game at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Bob's No. 1 key: Based on recent bowl history, and what Boise State's offense did this season, a fast start would be an advantage for the Broncos.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State was 15-9 against Power 4/5 opponents between the 2007 Fiesta Bowl and the 2019 season opener against Florida State - the Broncos have since lost nine straight against power programs (why?), LA Bowl is folding after Saturday night's game between Boise State and Washington - what's the future of Pac-12 bowl games in 2026, former Washington QB/current Fox college football analyst Brock Huard on Saturday's game, Bob talks to DT Braxton Fely (playing his final college game) in Bronco Focus, Fantasy Corner with Howard Bender, KTIK Best Bets with Lee SterlingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Longtime college/NFL quarterback, current Fox Sports college football analyst and Seattle radio personality Brock Huard joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about Boise State-Washington in the LA Bowl on Saturday night. 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 a interview with defensive tackle Braxton Fely. The senior, who left the team in the offseason only to return, is having a strong season and will play the final game of his college career Saturday vs. Washington in the LA Bowl.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The offseason narrative for Boise State QB Maddux will be defined by the outcome of a three-hour football game Saturday night - how will the LA Bowl between BSU and Washington impact Madsen's confidence and his offseason, Kirby Moore is in Pullman to interview for the vacant Washington State job (or is he?), debating Ty Benefield and his future on the Boise State football team, Bob with an oral history of the Boise State-Washington series in Bronco Focus, executive director Danielle Brazil explains how the Famous Idaho Potato landed Washington State-Utah State, College of Idaho coach Mike Moroski on the Yotes traveling to Florida for a national NAIA semifinal game SaturdaySee 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 Boise State-Washington football history. The two programs meet Saturday night in the LA Bowl. In the past, the Broncos and Dawgs have met six times (twice in bowl games) - UW is 4-2 in those games.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Danielle Brazil is the executive director of the Boise-based Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, which will host Utah State and Washington State on Monday, Dec. 22, at Albertsons Stadium. Brazil dives into the details behind the regional matchup, how it can impact the game-day attendance, and what's the future of the game (and all national bowl games) in 2026-27.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Boise State and Washington coach Chris Petersen joins the show to talk about his former teams, the LA Bowl on Saturday night and the controversial issues that are hovering about his favorite sport, Petersen said current Boise State coach Spencer Danielson is having his best season - how do we feel about that and what kind of grade would you give Danielson for his 2025 season, Seattle radio personality Softy Mahler on the Broncos and Dawgs in the LA Bowl, Bob talks to RB1 Dylan Riley in Bronco Focus (is he the MVP of Boise State's season?), Philip Rivers, 44, is back in the NFL - prompting a series of questions: "How old is too old?''See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Boise State and Washington coach Chris Petersen joins Prater and Mallory to share his thoughts on Saturday night's LA Bowl between his two former teams. Petersen said he plans to watch the game, but is careful to pick sides. He touches on the college football issues of today - and says current Boise State coach Spencer Danielson is putting together the best coaching job of his career in 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dave "Softy'' Mahler (93.3 KJR FM in Seattle) joins Prater and Mallory to talk about Saturday's LA Bowl between Boise State and Washington. Mahler shares the strengths and weaknesses of Washington's roster, what to expect in Saturday's game and the role coach Chris Petersen played in both programs.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 interview with Broncos' running back Dylan Riley. The sophomore started the calendar year as Boise State's No. 4 back - he finishes as RB1 with a 1,000-yard season. And he did it following the recent death of his father.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State is playing Washington in the LA Bowl on Saturday - thoughts on the game and thoughts on what happened with the Group of Six and the CFP tournament committee over the weekend, what's the future of the G6 postseason, coach Spencer Danielson on his weekend talks with former Boise State and Washington coach Chris Petersen (PROGRAMMING NOTE: Petersen will join Prater & The Ballgame at 5 p.m. Tuesday), Bob (Bronco Focus) and Pete Cavender (radio analyst) on Boise State's victory over UNLV in the Mountain West Championship Game on Friday, has Kellen Moore found his QB, who should win the Heisman Trophy, Weekend Winners & LosersSee 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 recap of the Broncos' 38-21 victory over the Rebels in the Mountain West Championship Game last Friday night. Bob's No. 1 impression: Quarterback Maddux Madsen and his fast start.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

POST-GAME CALL-IN SHOW: Boise State won its third straight Mountain West Championship Game, all against UNLV, with a celebration victory Friday night at Albertsons Stadium. The Broncos jumped out to a 21-0 lead and clinched their seventh MW title in their 15th and final season in the league. QB Maddux Madsen and S Ty Benefield turned in MVP performances as Boise State secured a spot in the LA Bowl on Dec. 13, against the Washington Huskies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from Broadway on the Rocks (Albertsons on Broadway), Boise State and UNLV meet again Friday night in the Mountain West Championship Game, sharing memories from the epic 2024 game in Albertsons Stadium, Bob with a oral history of the Boise State-UNLV series in Bronco Focus, would Ashton Jeanty win the Heisman based on this season's competition, Fantasy Corner with Howard Bender, KTIK Best Bets with Lee Sterling (including a Boise State-UNLV prediction)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 report on the recent history of the Boise State-UNLV football series. The Broncos have dominated the past nine games - and host the Rebels on Friday night in the Mountain West Championship Game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The top storyline going into Friday's Mountain West Championship Game between Boise State and UNLV - quarterback play, how starter Maddux Madsen will play in his return from ankle/toe injuries (what's the plan if he struggles?), what Spencer Danielson and Zak Hill say about the QB situation, what did Boise State do well in its 56-31 home victory over UNLV in October - and what have the Rebels done to get better (ESPN Vegas radio insider Steve Cofield shares his thoughts), how BYU can impact the CFP picture this weekend, highlights of Boise State's 29-member recruiting class from Bronco Nation News recruiting analyst Chris Van SickleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State recruiting analyst Chris Van Sickle (Bronco Nation News) joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about the Broncos' haul on National Signing Day - 29 players from 12 states (and Sweden), including 11 from California and three from Texas. The class includes two QBs who will join the program in January, a top running back from Georgia and three players from the Treasure Valley. In all, 16 of the 29 players are expected to be in Boise in January.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 highlights from his interview with quarterback Maddux Madsen. He's back from ankle/toe injuries and is starting Friday night's Mountain West Championship Game against UNLV. His thoughts? His joy? His expectations?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey on the importance of Friday's Mountain West Championship Game against UNLV - and the Albertsons Stadium sellout streak he's trying to extend, Boise State lands new QB prior to Wednesday's National Signing Day, Boise State QB Maddux Madsen vs. UNLV QB Anthony Colandrea - who has the advantage Friday night, Bob talks to NFL-bound offensive lineman Kage Casey about his final game on the blue, several Broncos represented on the All-Mountain West TeamSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey joins Prater and Mallory in the KTIK studio to talk about Friday's Mountain West Championship Game against UNLV, ticket sales, consequences of the game - and the future of the college football calendar that desperately needs fixing.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 highlights from his interview with left tackle Kage Casey. The redshirt junior has told coaches that he's leaving for the NFL Draft after this season, meaning the Mountain West Championship Game on Friday will be his final appearance in Boise. His thoughts? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State football coach Spencer Danielson announced Monday that QB Maddux Madsen is returning to his starting position for Friday's Mountain West Championship Game against UNLV, what's the mindset/future of backup QB Max Cutforth, Bob (Bronco Focus) and Pete (radio analyst) recap the Broncos' 25-24 victory at Utah State on Friday night, college football coaching carousel focuses on Kiffin, Mora, Mullen, Sitake - and more, Weekend Winners & LosersSee 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 recap the Broncos' 25-24 victory at Utah State on Friday. Bob's No. 1 impression: Boise State's defense took advantage of poor play-calling from Utah State coaches.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our wonderful Idaho Sports Talk listeners - enjoy your Thursday with family and friends, we preview the Boise State-Utah State football game on Friday with roster updates from coach Spencer Danielson, Bob (Bronco Focus) and B.J. (BNN Report) with Boise State-Utah State previews - and both with the latest updates on basketball at the Maui Invitational, coach Jim Mora Jr. headed for Colorado State but Oregon State still waiting on a new head coach, what's the best football road trip in the new Pac-12 - Logan, Pullman or Corvallis, KTIK Best Bets with national handicapper Lee SterlingSee 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 preview the Broncos' regular season-finale at Utah State on Friday afternoon. Bob's No. 1 key: Start fast - just like new QB Max Cutforth did last week against Colorado State.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State basketball drops back-to-back games to N.C. State and USC in the Maui Invitational - what have been the issues for coach Leon Rice & Co., Bob (live from Maui) on what he saw in Boise State's loss to N.C. State, QB battle between Max Cutforth (Boise State) and Bryson Barnes (Utah State) is a dominant storyline going into Friday's regular season-finale in Logan, College of Idaho football coach Mike Moroski on his team (with 65 Idaho high school players on the roster) host a national playoff game Saturday in Caldwell, latest on Bryan Harsin and Justin Wilcox - and college football coaching vacancies in the WestSee 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 from the Maui Invitational, where the Broncos' basketball team lost to N.C. State 81-70 on Tuesday. Boise has lost both games in Maui, including USC on Monday. Bob said turnovers were an issue against N.C. State.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deep discussion on the state of Boise State's offense after dominating victory over Colorado State - do we trust the Broncos to pull off a repeat performance at Utah State on Saturday, what Spencer Danielson said about the Cutforth-Potter performance, Bob (Bronco Focus) and Pete Cavender (radio analyst) with their recaps of the Broncos' offense against CSU, what Idaho State coach Cody Hawkins said after the Bengals beat Idaho in the Kibbie Dome, Raiders fire OC/play-caller Chip Kelly - what does that mean for RB Ashton Jeanty, Weekend Winners & LosersSee 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 preview the Broncos' impressive 49-21 victory over Colorado State on Saturday night. Bob's No. 1 impression: Offense inspired the victory with a opening 14-play drive, scoring a TD and setting the tone for a blowout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from the Idaho Snowmobile Show at the Ford Idaho Center Sports Complex in Nampa, we dive deep into the Boise State-Colorado State football game Saturday, Bob (Bronco Focus) and B.J. (Bronco Nation News Report) with previews, it's Senior Day for 20 Broncos - we also debate the expectations of QB Max Cutforth and a troubled offense, Ashton Jeanty (Raiders) and Kellen Moore (Saints) favored to win this weekend, Bishop Kelly coach Chris Culig on chasing a 5A state football title Monday night on the blue, our Six Pack of the top college football games of the weekend, Friday Five - our week in review, with a twistSee 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 preview the Broncos' final regular season game in Albertsons Stadium. Bob's No. 1: Start fast, build confidence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from Broadway on the Rocks (Albertsons on Broadway), we gauge the mood of Boise State football through a press conference with Spencer Danielson, the coach is optimistic despite two straight losses and continues to push a more "attacking'' offense for Saturday's Senior Day game against Colorado State, Boise State AD Jeramiah Dickey could become a job candidate at Baylor, WR Chris Marshall won't play against Colorado State, LT Kage Casey is leaving after this season for the NFL, Bob talks to RB coach James Montgomery in Bronco Focus, Timberline High football coach Ian Smart on playing for the 6A state title Saturday, Boise State and bowl-game possibilities - don't count on an appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Fantasy Corner with Howard Bender, KTIK Best Bets with national handicapper Lee SterlingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.