PREVIEW OF HAWAII OPPONENTS
Boise is a lot like Honolulu, at least in its sports identity. BSU is WAC
team to beatWhieldon tentative No. 1 FIFTH OF 13 PARTS
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comIdaho's capital city -- where the Hawaii Warriors and Boise State Broncos tangle Oct. 5 -- is home to minor-league hockey and baseball teams. But Boise State is the most popular sports operation, by far. Since Boise is one of the most isolated metropolitan areas in the United States, there are no big-league pro teams with which to share the spotlight.
As anyone affiliated with UH can attest, being the biggest show in the state is at once a blessing and a curse.
Everybody wants to know everything. They want to read all about it when your star quarterback leads the team past Fresno State, but they also thirst for the 411 when the same guy gets into a scrape with the local law.
Ryan Dinwiddie did both last fall, as the Broncos went 8-4. The sophomore QB'ed BSU to seven of those wins. But Dinwiddie was suspended for the final game because he was found unconscious in the driver's seat of a car with the engine running. City prosecutors later said Dinwiddie had the depressant GHB in his system, and he pleaded guilty to a DUI charge.
Since then, Dinwiddie has been busy repairing his image in Boise, visiting area schools to talk about his mistake.
"I'm just kind of sad and disappointed in myself that the situation happened," Dinwiddie told the Idaho Statesman.
Hawkins said all is forgiven, but not forgotten -- especially by Dinwiddie.
"In this business we're dealing with a lot of kids," Hawkins said. "We all make mistakes. The question is can you learn from that and grow. He values his opportunity to play football a lot more now."
Dinwiddie (6-foot-1, 196 pounds) is a major key to the Broncos' hopes of following up last year's season with the Western Athletic Conference championship many have predicted for them.
He completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 3,043 yards (both second in school history) and threw for 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
"He had a lot of confidence in himself, now he has confidence in the total system," Hawkins said. "We try to stay balanced on offense. We don't aspire to throw for 6,000 yards a season."
Was that a shot at Hawaii, which Boise State beat 28-21 last year? Not really, knowing Hawkins. It was more an indirect compliment to running back Brock Forsey (6-0, 203), who rushed for 1,199 yards and 13 TDs last year.
Forsey will see if he can do the same behind a re-tooled offensive line. Three starters are gone, leaving two seniors, center Scott Huff (6-2, 292) and right guard Rob Vian (6-5, 300) to hold things together until their new mates can catch up.
Dinwiddie has the four top receivers from 2001 back in seniors Jay Swillie (6-3, 214), Lou Fanucchi (5-11, 190) and Billy Wingfield (5-10, 178) and junior Tim Gilligan (5-8, 164). Swillie is the epitome of effectiveness, with 34 of his 48 receptions last year going for first downs or touchdowns (team-high eight).
Senior Rocky Atkinson (6-2, 237) will try to replace star tight end Jeb Putzier.
BSU has a new defensive coordinator in Ron Collins, but most of the key players on that side of the ball will be veterans.
Senior tackle Bobby Hammer (6-2, 266) is the rock up front. Another senior, Chauncey Ako will be the middle of three new starters at linebacker, with camp battles going on for the two outside spots. In the secondary all four starters are back: Senior rover Quinten Mikell (5-10, 206) is a three-year all-league player, and junior free safety Wes Nurse (5-10, 187) is back, too, along with junior Julius Brown (5-10, 182) and senior Gabe Franklin (5-10, 181) at the corners.
The schedule appears to favor Boise State, and that's why many observers feel they're the team to beat.
"It looks like we're playing the toughest teams at home," Hawkins said.
Going into its second year in the WAC, Boise State is past the happy to be here stage.
Now BSU won't settle for less than the league title.
"With Fresno State making its run, for Hawaii to dismantle BYU on TV like they did ... and people go, 'Geez, you beat both those teams'," Hawkins said.
All-time record: 259-133-2 Boise State Broncos
Against Hawaii: 1-2
Now you know: The Broncos have started to practice on their new AstroPlay field. The reviews are mixed so far. Players say it is much softer than the previous AstroTurf, but rubber granules to make it softer haven't settled into the base yet, and players leave the field with pieces of rubber on their faces and in their shoes and helmets. ... BSU backup quarterback B.J. Rhode is the brother of UH backup quarterback Jeff Rhode.
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