Steen says

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Broncos soar past Air Force Boise State opened up MWC play with a 42-20 win over Air Force one ending in a turnover. Ajayi bounced back however, scoring three of his four touchdowns after the fumble. “We always have to have great ball security,” Ajayi said. “That’s something I learned tonight.” Stopping the Air Force triple option offense was a point of emphasis for the Bronco defense entering the week. After allowing 192-yards and 17 points in the first half, the Broncos shut down the Falcon offense in the second half, holding them to just 95-yards and three points. “The first half we just kind of felt them out,”

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@MichaelSteen2

Under head coach Chris Petersen, the Broncos have gone an incredible 86-9 since 2006, including 5-2 in bowl games, with two Bowl Championship Series (BCS) victories in 2007 and 2010. The success Boise State has had should make fans worry more than ever about Chris Petersen leaving the Treasure Valley, and they shouldn’t be surprised if he does. Here are three reasons Chris Petersen could be leaving Boise State sooner than the Bronco faithful think. 1. The disintegration of the BCS Boise State has been one of the more dominant BCS busting schools in the last decade. With the BCS coming to a close in 2013, Boise State could be on the outside looking in for good. Moving on to a power conference school could be Petersen’s way to continue competing for bigger championships. 2. Boise State not going undefeated recently Former Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore became the winningest quarterback in NCAA history, going an unprecedented 50-3, losing the three games by a combined five points. Since losing Moore, along with a myriad of current NFL players, Boise State went 11-2 in 2012, and have already picked up a 32-point loss this season: their worst since 2005. With Boise State being wrongly viewed as an average squad in the last couple of years, Petersen could be at risk of being seen as a “flash in the pan.” A Mountain West Conference title and potentially a one loss BCS appearance could erase all doubt of that notion. 3. A bi-polar fan base For a school that finished in the top 25 in every year except one under Petersen, you would think the fan base would be more realistic about the pressures of Division I college football. The attendance for Boise State’s 2013 home opener, was just 33,293, more than 4,000 shy of a sellout. The game was accompanied by a chorus of “boos” due to the Broncos not running up the score, while up 63-7. A fan base that might be too spoiled for it’s own good could find themselves chasing Petersen away. Whether Petersen leaves in one year, 20 years, or never, he has done more for Bronco football than anyone ever imagined.

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puts the Broncos into a tie for first with Utah State in the West division of the Mountain West Conference and moves them to 2-1 on the year after an opening loss to the Washington Huskies. “That’s our whole mission in life, to improve,” Petersen said. “We don’t care if it’s on offense, kicking game, linebacker play or whatever.” The Broncos will now go on the road to Fresno State next week as they add another chapter to their storied rivalry against the Bulldogs on Friday night at 7 p.m. on ESPN.

Coming off a 63-14 victory over the TennesseeMartin Skyhawks, Boise State (2-1, 1-0) opened their Mountain West ConDid you catch ference schedule against the Air Force Falcons (1the game? 2, 0-2), picking up a 42-20 Tell us about victory at Bronco Stadium it by emailing on Friday night. Redshirt senior quarSports@arterback Joe Southwick biteronline. completed on 27-of-29 com. passes for 287 yards, one touchdown and an interception while rushing for Southwick’s completion percentage of .931 set the all-time single-game record for Boise State, previously held by Jared Zabransky in 2006, who completed 21-of-23 passes (.913) against Utah State. “I’m proud of it. I’m proud of the guys though too,” Southwick said. “With the O-line, I didn’t get touched all night.” Redshirt sophomore running back Jay Ajayi carried the load for the Broncos on the ground, going for 125-yards on 17 carries. Ajayi rushed for four touchdowns on the night, tying his 2012 season total and bringing his 2013 total to six. Ajayi picked up two fumbles on the opening drive of the second cutline half, witwh the second Boise State running back Jay Ajayi ran for a career high four touchdowns against Air Force.

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Michael Steen

Redshirt senior defensive tackle Ricky Tjong-ATjoe said. “At halftime we made some adjustments and the crowd was going so that made a big difference.” After giving up 408 yards of offense to the Falcons two years ago, the 287-yards allowed this year was a vast improvement. “We just swarmed to the ball as a group and as a whole,” freshman linebacker Ben Weaver said. “Everyone did their assignments and ended up getting some 3-and-outs and making some plays.” The win over Air Force

Women’s golf opens 2013 season Brandon Walton Staff Writer

Last season the Boise State women’s golf team had one of their most successful seasons to date. The Broncos finished second at the Mountain West Championships by tying a school record for a three round tournament. 2012 was the the Broncos best season in almost 20 years and their second best showing in school history at a conference tournament. After the success they experienced in their 2012 season, the bar is set high for the Broncos in 2013. Even though they lost several good players from the 2012 team, they are expected to be among the top once again led by a trio of sophomores that turned in quite the performances as freshmen.

The trio is led by sophomore Samantha Martin who at last season’s Mountain West Championships, had her first top10 finish to go along with six top 25 finishes for the year. That is tied for seventh best in school history. She also has a scoring average of 76.65, which ranks sixth best in school history. McKenzie Ford who placed 11 at the Mountain West Championships last April. Ford will look to continue her momentum she had at the end of last season for the Broncos. To round out the trio, is sophomore Sammie Pless. Pless finished tied for 24 at the championships as a freshman and had five top 25 finishes for the Broncos. One thing you will notice upon taking a look

at the roster is this is a very young team. The Broncos have five freshmen on this years squad that include Dana Clary, Jamie Donizio, freshman Genevieve Ling, freshman Oceane Pelloille, and freshman Haliee Piper. The Broncos in fact do not have a single senior on this year’s team as junior Jenna Leurquin is the team’s most seasoned veteran. Leurquin along with the trio of Martin, Ford, and Pless will look to be the leaders of the team and help guide this year’s very young Bronco roster. The Boise State women will open the season at home this week at the Bronco Fall Invitational on Sept. 16 and 17 at the Falcon Crest Golf Course in Kuna.

The tournament will serve as the only home tournament the team will have all year. The Broncos will have four more tournaments during the fall season, which will include Rose City Collegiate in Oregon, Price’s “Give ‘Em Five” Invitational in New Mexico, SCU Colby invi-

tational in California, and the Winthrop Intercollegiate in North Carolina. The Broncos will then have a few months off before returning to play in February for their competitive season leading up to the Mountain West Championships and the NCAA Regional and National Championships.

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