2021 Boise State Broncos football team

The 2021 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Broncos were led by first–year head coach Andy Avalos and played their home games at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. They completed as members of the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference.

2021 Boise State Broncos football
ConferenceMountain West Conference
DivisionMountain Division
Record7–5 (5–3 MW)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTim Plough (1st season)
Offensive schemeUp-tempo spread
Defensive coordinatorSpencer Danielson (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinatorKane Ioane (1st season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumAlbertsons Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Mountain West Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Mountain Division
No. 24 Utah State xy$   6 2     11 3  
Air Force x   6 2     10 3  
Boise State   5 3     7 5  
Wyoming   2 6     7 6  
Colorado State   2 6     3 9  
New Mexico   1 7     3 9  
West Division
No. 25 San Diego State xy   7 1     12 2  
Fresno State   6 2     10 3  
Nevada   5 3     8 5  
Hawaii   3 5     6 7  
San Jose State   3 5     5 7  
UNLV   2 6     2 10  
Championship: Utah State 46, San Diego State 13
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The Broncos completed their regular season with a 7–5 record and accepted a bid to the Arizona Bowl, where they were due to face the Central Michigan Chippewas. On December 27, Barstool Sports (the title sponsor of the bowl) founder David Portnoy announced the withdrawal of the Broncos from the bowl due to COVID-19 issues within the program; organizers stated that they would attempt to secure a replacement team to face the Chippewas.[1] Later in the day, the Arizona Bowl was canceled,[2] and Central Michigan was named as a replacement team for the Sun Bowl.[3]

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 27:46 p.m.at UCF*ESPNL 31–36 43,928
September 107:30 p.m.UTEP*FS1W 54–13 35,518
September 187:00 p.m.Oklahoma State*
  • Albertsons Stadium
  • Boise, ID
FS1L 20–21 36,702
September 2510:00 a.m.at Utah StateCBSW 27–3 23,715
October 21:30 p.m.Nevada 
  • Albertsons Stadium
  • Boise, ID (rivalry)
FS1L 31–41 37,426
October 91:30 p.m.at No. 10 BYU*ABCW 26–17 63,470
October 167:00 p.m.Air Force
  • Albertsons Stadium
  • Boise, ID
FS1L 17–24 34,446
October 305:00 p.m.at Colorado StateCBSSNW 28–19 25,221
November 65:00 p.m.at No. 23 Fresno StateCBSSNW 40–14 41,031
November 127:00 p.m.Wyoming
  • Albertsons Stadium
  • Boise, ID
FS1W 23–13 35,474
November 207:00 p.m.New Mexico
  • Albertsons Stadium
  • Boise, ID
FS1W 37–0 28,542
November 2610:00 a.m.at No. 21 San Diego StateCBSL 16–27 11,886
December 3112:00 p.m.vs. Central Michigan*Barstool SportsWithdrew
Source:[4][5]

Roster

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2021 Boise State Broncos football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 1 Octavius Evans   Sr
WR 2 Khalil Shakir Sr
TE 3 Riley Smith   Jr
RB 4 Cyrus Habibi-Likio   Sr
WR 5 Stefan Cobbs   Jr
WR 6 C. T. Thomas GS
WR 7 Latrell Caples   Fr
QB 8 Colt Fulton Fr
QB 9 Colton FitzGerald Fr
QB 10 Taylen Green Fr
WR 13 Jalen Richmond Fr
QB 14 Andy Peters   Fr
WR 15 Maclaine Griffin   Jr
QB 16 Jack Sears   Sr
WR 17 Davis Koetter   Sr
WR 18 Billy Bowens   Jr
QB 19 Hank Bachmeier Jr
RB 21 Andrew Van Buren Sr
RB 24 George Holani   So
RB 25 Taequan Tyler   So
WR 27 Shea Whiting   So
WR 29 Ben Ford Fr
RB 33 Tyler Crowe   So
RB 37 Danny Smith   Jr
TE 40 Russell Corrigan   Fr
OL 50 Riden Leong   Jr
OL 51 Dalton Lins   Jr
OL 55 Kekaniokoa Holomalia-Gonzalez   Jr
OL 57 Nathan Cardona   Fr
OL 63 Mason Randolph Fr
OL 66 Ben Dooley   So
OL 68 Jake Stetz GS
OL 69 Garrett Curran   Jr
OL 70 John Ojukwu   Sr
OL 71 Donte Harrington GS
OL 72 Dallas Holliday   Jr
OL 73 Joseph Amos Fr
OL 74 Jacob Golden   So
OL 75 Will Farrar   Sr
OL 77 Uzo Osuji GS
OL 78 Julian Simpson   So
OL 79 Cord Kringlen Fr
WR 80 Eric McAlister Fr
WR 81 Austin Bolt   Fr
WR 82 Kaden Dudley Fr
WR 83 Cole Wright   Fr
TE 85 Matt Lauter Fr
TE 86 Tyler Eiguren   So
TE 87 Kurt Rafdal   Sr
TE 88 Tyneil Hopper   Jr
WR 89 Connor Riddle   Jr
TE 96 Luke Voorhees Fr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
S 0 JL Skinner Jr
OLB 3 Brandon Hawkins   Jr
S 4 Rodney Robinson   Fr
MLB 7 Ezekiel Noa   Sr
CB 8 Markel Reed Jr
OLB 10 Andrew Simpson Fr
CB 14 Kaonohi Kaniho   Fr
CB 16 Jared Reed   Sr
DE 19 Aisa Kelemete   Sr
CB 20 Roman Kafentzis   Sr
CB 21 Tyreque Jones   Sr
CB 22 Tyric LeBeauf   Jr
S 23 Seyi Oladipo Fr
CB 24 Damon Cole   Sr
CB 25 Isaiah Bradford Fr
CB 26 Caleb Biggers Sr
CB 28 Kekaula Kaniho GS
DE 30 Isaiah Bagnah   So
S 31 Zion Washington Fr
OLB 32 Tyler Visser   Sr
S 34 Alexander Teubner   So
S 36 Semaj Verner   Fr
DE 38 Demitri Washington   Jr
CB 39 Jalen Neal Fr
CB 41 Jaylen Clark   Fr
OLB 44 Riley Whimpey GS
DE 45 James Wilborn Jr. Fr
MLB 47 Jai Jones Fr
S 48 Jordan Erickson Fr
DE 49 Dylan Herberg   Jr
OLB 52 D. J. Schramm   Jr
OLB 53 Marco Notarainni Fr
DE 54 Gabe Hunter   Fr
DE 55 Shane Irwin   Sr
DE 56 Casey Kline   So
MLB 58 Ty Tanner Fr
MLB 59 Rejhan Tatum Fr
DT 67 Bryson Kievit Fr
DT 90 Scale Igiehon Sr
DT 91 Ahmed Hassanein Fr
DT 92 Michael Callahan   So
DE 93 Andy Nwaoko   Fr
DT 94 Jackson Cravens   Jr
DT 95 Divine Obichere Sr
DT 97 Keeghan Freeborn   Jr
DT 98 Herbert Gums   Fr
DT 99 Scott Matlock   Jr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K/P 35 Jonah Dalmas So
LS 42 Daniel Cantrell   Sr
P 43 Gavin Wale   So
K/P 45 Will Ferrin Fr
K/P 46 Joel Velazquez GS
LS 65 Mason Hutton Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Frank MaileAssociate head coach/Defensive linemen
  • Tim PloughOffensive coordinator/Quarterbacks
  • Kane IoaneCo-defensive coordinator/Safeties
  • Spencer DanielsonCo-defensive coordinator/Inside linebackers
  • Stacy CollinsSpecial teams coordinator/Edge rushers
  • Matt MillerWide receivers
  • Kent Riddle – Tight ends
  • Jeron JohnsonCornerbacks
  • Tim Keane – Offensive linemen
  • Winston VenableRunning backs
  • Reid Kagy – Director, Strength and Conditioning
  • Brandon Crosby – Offensive analyst
  • Kharyee Marshall – Defensive analyst
  • Jabril Frazier – Graduate assistant
  • Tyson Prince – Graduate assistant
  • McCauley Todd – Graduate assistant
  • Keanu Yamamoto – Graduate assistant

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  •   Injured
  •   Redshirt

Roster
Last update: 8/12/23

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRV
CoachesRVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

Game summaries

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At UCF

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Boise State Broncos at UCF Knights
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 14 10 0731
Knights 0 14 14836

at Bounce House, Orlando, FL

Game information

UCF hosted Boise State in the 2021 season opener. It was the first meeting between the two Group of Five front-runners, and the first game for new head coach Gus Malzahn. The kickoff was delayed about 2 hours and 46 minutes due to lightning in the area, but the inclement weather passed and the game played to completion without additional delay. Boise State jumped out to a 21–0 lead, but UCF rallied and held on for a 36–31 victory. UCF won their sixth consecutive season opener, and 14th season opener out of the last 16 years.

On their first drive of the first quarter, quarterback Dillon Gabriel swiftly drove the Knights to the Boise State 8 yard line. However, his pass was intercepted by Tyric LeBeauf at the goal line, who ran it back 100 yards for a Broncos touchdown. Trailing 21–0, the Knights finally got on the board with a 23-yard catch and run touchdown by Alec Holler early in the second quarter. In the final minute of the second quarter, Gabriel drove the Knights down the field and with 6 seconds left in the half, scrambled to find Titus Mokiao-Atimalala just inside the pylon for a touchdown and a 24–14 score at halftime.

UCF received the opening kickoff for the second half, and the Knights scored again. This time a touchdown pass from Gabriel to Brandon Johnson, who caught the ball on the right side of the endzone, his foot just inches from being out-of-bounds. With 56 seconds left in the third quarter, the Knights took the lead for the first time. Gabriel connected with Jaylon Robinson for a 23-yard over-the-shoulder touchdown pass, and a 28–24 lead.

The Knights defense stiffened in the second half, forcing the Broncos into three three-and-outs along with a safety. With UCF leading 30–24, momentum shifted back to the Broncos after Tyric LeBeauf intercepted Gabriel for the second time. The turnover led to a Boise State touchdown, and the Knights trailed by 1 point with 8 minutes left in regulation.

Gabriel drove the Knights 75 yards in ten plays (including a Targeting penalty by the Broncos), capped off with a 9-yard go-ahead touchdown run by Isaiah Bowser. With four minutes to go, the Broncos had one last chance. They drove to the UCF 35, but quarterback Hank Bachmeier was scrambling and threw up an easy interception for Dyllon Lester. The Knights were able to roll the clock down, and held on for a 36–31 victory. It matched the best comeback win in school history (21 points in 1984 & 2013). Gabriel finished the game with 318 passing yards, 64 yards rushing, and four touchdown passes, and Bowser has 32 carries for 170 yards (1 touchdown) in his Knights debut.[6] The Knights extended their streak of scoring both a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown to 50 consecutive games, the longest such active streak in the nation.

UTEP

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UTEP Miners at Boise State Broncos
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Miners 3 10 0013
Broncos 10 31 10354

at Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID

Game information

Oklahoma State

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Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boise State Broncos
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 7 14 0021
Broncos 10 10 0020

at Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID

Game information

At Utah State

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Boise State Broncos at Utah State Aggies
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 10 0 71027
Cougars 0 0 033

at Maverik Stadium, Logan, UT

Game information

Nevada

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Nevada Wolf Pack at Boise State Broncos
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Wolf Pack 10 10 18341
Broncos 14 7 3731

at Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID

Game information

At No. 10 BYU

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Boise State Broncos at BYU Cougars
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 3 17 3326
No. 10 Cougars 10 0 0717

at LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT

Game information

Air Force

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Air Force Falcons at Boise State Broncos
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 14 0324
Broncos 7 7 0317

at Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID

Game information

At Colorado State

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Boise State Broncos at Colorado State Rams
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 0 7 14728
Rams 13 3 3019

at Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins, CO

Game information

At No. 23 Fresno State

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Boise State Broncos at Fresno State Bulldogs
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 10 6 71740
No. 23 Bulldogs 0 7 0714

at Bulldog Stadium, Fresno, CA

Game information

Wyoming

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Wyoming Cowboys at Boise State Broncos
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 7 0613
Broncos 7 3 31023

at Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID

Game information

New Mexico

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New Mexico Lobos at Boise State Broncos
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lobos 0 0 000
Broncos 10 14 6737

at Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID

Game information

At No. 21 San Diego State

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Boise State Broncos at San Diego State Aztecs
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 9 0016
No. 21 Aztecs 3 10 14027

at Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, CA

Game information

Players drafted into the NFL

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Round Pick Player Position NFL Club
5 148 Khalil Shakir WR Buffalo Bills

References

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  1. ^ Glasspiegel, Ryan (December 27, 2021). "Dave Portnoy announces Boise State out of Barstool Bowl due to COVID-19". New York Post. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  2. ^ "UPDATE: Arizona Bowl canceled for 2021". KOLD-TV. December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021 – via MSN.com.
  3. ^ Sallee, Barrett (December 27, 2021). "Central Michigan to play Washington State in Sun Bowl after Miami pulls out due to COVID-19 issues". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  4. ^ "2021 Football Schedule". Boise State University Athletics. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  5. ^ "2021 Boise State Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  6. ^ "Boise State vs. UCF Gamecast". September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.