2020 Boise State Broncos football team

2020 Boise State Broncos football
MW Championship Game, L 20–34 vs. San Jose State
Conference	Mountain West Conference
Record	5–2 (5–0 MW)
Head coach	Bryan Harsin (7th season)
Offensive coordinator	Eric Kiesau (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Multiple
Co-defensive coordinator	Spencer Danielson (2nd season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Jeff Schmedding (2nd season)
Base defense	Multiple
Home stadium	Albertsons Stadium
Uniform
Seasons ←  2019 2021  →

2020 Mountain West Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 24 San Jose State y$		7	–	0					7	–	1
Boise State y		5	–	0					5	–	2
Nevada		6	–	2					7	–	2
San Diego State		4	–	2					4	–	4
Hawaii		4	–	4					5	–	4
Fresno State		3	–	3					3	–	3
Air Force		2	–	2					3	–	3
Wyoming		2	–	4					2	–	4
New Mexico		2	–	5					2	–	5
Colorado State		1	–	3					1	–	3
Utah State		1	–	5					1	–	5
UNLV		0	–	6					0	–	6
Championship: San Jose State 34, Boise State 20
$ – Conference champion y – Championship game participant Note: Due to COVID-19, the Mountain West suspended the season, but later decided to begin play on October 24. [1] Rankings from AP Poll

The 2020 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Broncos played their home games at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho, as members of the Mountain West Conference. They were led by seventh-year head coach Bryan Harsin.

After the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, then reinstated, the Broncos played seven games, compiling a 5–2 record (5–0 in conference play). The team then lost to San Jose State in the Mountain West Championship Game. On December 20, the team announced that it had decided to forgo playing in any bowl game. ^[2] The program had appeared in 18 consecutive bowl games, dating back to the 2002 Humanitarian Bowl. ^[3]

On December 22, head coach Bryan Harsin resigned to become the head coach at Auburn. ^[4] He finished at Boise State with a seven-year record of 69–19.

Schedule

Boise State announced its 2020 football schedule on February 27, 2020. ^[5] The 2020 schedule consisted of 7 home and 5 away games in the regular season. On August 10, 2020, the Mountain West Conference announced the suspension of the football season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ^{[6] [7]} The new schedule was released by the Mountain West on October 1, 2020. ^[8]

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
October 24	5:00 p.m.	Utah State		Albertsons Stadium Boise, ID	FS1	W 42–13	0 [a]
October 31	4:00 p.m.	at Air Force	No. 25	Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO	CBSSN	W 49–30	500
November 6	7:45 p.m.	No. 9 BYU *	No. 21	Albertsons Stadium Boise, ID	FS1	L 17–51	1,100
November 12	6:00 p.m.	Colorado State		Albertsons Stadium Boise, ID	FS1	W 52–21	1,100
November 21	9:00 p.m.	at Hawaii		Aloha Stadium Honolulu, HI	CBSSN	W 40–32	0 [b]
November 28	2:00 p.m.	San Jose State		Albertsons Stadium Boise, ID	Fox	No Contest	_
December 4	7:30 p.m.	at UNLV		Allegiant Stadium Paradise, NV	CBSSN	No Contest	_
December 12	4:00 p.m.	at Wyoming		War Memorial Stadium Laramie, WY	CBSSN	W 17–9	2,978
December 19	2:15 p.m.	vs. No. 24 San Jose State		Sam Boyd Stadium Whitney, NV (MW Championship Game)	Fox	L 20–34	0
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after November 24 released prior to game All times are in Mountain time

1. Game played behind closed doors
2. Game played behind closed doors

Roster

2020 Boise State Broncos football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class WR 1 Octavius Evans Sr WR 2 Khalil Shakir Jr TE 3 Riley Smith  So WR 6 C. T. Thomas Sr WR 7 Latrell Caples Fr QB 8 Cade Fennegan Fr QB 10 Chase Cord  Jr QB 14 Andy Peters Fr WR 15 Maclaine Griffin  So QB 16 Jack Sears  Jr WR 18 Billy Bowens  So QB 19 Hank Bachmeier So RB 21 Andrew Van Buren Jr WR 23 Khyheem Waleed  Fr RB 24 George Holani So RB 25 Taequan Tyler So WR 27 Shea Whiting  Fr RB 31 Obi Gee Fr WR 32 Trevor Cole  Fr RB 33 Tyler Crowe  Fr RB 37 Danny Smith  So TE 40 Russell Corrigan Fr OL 50 Riden Leong Fr OL 51 Dalton Lins  So OL 55 Kekaniokoa Holomalia-Gonzalez  So OL 57 Nathan Cardona Fr OL 62 Kyle Juergens Fr OL 66 Ben Dooley  Fr OL 68 Jake Stetz  Sr OL 69 Garrett Curran  So OL 70 John Ojukwu  Jr OL 71 Donte Harrington  Sr OL 72 Dallas Holliday  So OL 73 Nick Crabtree  Sr OL 74 Jacob Golden  Fr OL 75 Brandon Hernandez Fr OL 77 Uzo Osuji  Sr OL 78 Julian Simpson  Fr TE 80 Mason Sikes  Sr TE 81 Austin Bolt Fr WR 82 Stefan Cobbs  So WR 83 Cole Wright Fr WR 84 Matt Greenwald Fr TE 85 John Bates  Sr TE 86 Tyler Eiguren  Fr TE 87 Kaden DeLuna  So TE 88 Tyneil Hopper  So WR 89 Connor Riddle  So	Defense Pos. # Name Class S 0 JL Skinner So CB 2 Jalen Walker  Sr OLB 3 Brandon Hawkins  Jr S 4 Rodney Robinson Fr S 5 Evan Tyler GS MLB 7 Ezekiel Noa  Jr CB 8 Markel Reed So OLB 9 Brock Miller  Sr CB 13 Marques Evans  Jr CB 14 Kaonohi Kaniho Fr CB 16 Jonathan Earl Jr CB 17 Donovan Clark Fr DE 19 Aisa Kelemete  Jr CB 20 Roman Kafentzis  Jr CB 21 Tyreque Jones  Jr CB 22 Tyric LeBeauf  So CB 24 Damon Cole  Jr MLB 25 Benton Wickersham  Sr CB 26 Avery Williams  Sr CB 28 Kekaula Kaniho Sr CB 29 Chris Mitchell  So DE 30 Isaiah Bagnah  Fr S 34 Alexander Teubner  Fr S 36 Semaj Verner Fr DE 38 Demitri Washington  So CB 41 Jaylen Clark Fr S 43 Tyler Visser  Jr OLB 44 Riley Whimpey Sr OLB 45 Nick Provenzano  Sr MLB 48 Bruno DeRose  Sr DE 49 Dylan Herberg  So OLB 52 D. J. Schramm  So DE 53 Sam Whitney GS DE 54 Gabe Hunter Fr DE 55 Shane Irwin  Jr DE 56 Casey Kline  Fr DT 58 Robert Cooper Fr DE 59 Jadyn Ewing  Fr DE 60 Amari Williams Fr DT 90 Scale Igiehon Jr DT 92 Michael Callahan  Fr DE 93 Andy Nwaoko Fr DT 94 Jackson Cravens  So DT 95 Divine Obichere Jr DT 97 Keeghan Freeborn  So DT 98 Herbert Gums Fr DT 99 Scott Matlock  So	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K/P 35 Jonah Dalmas Fr LS 42 Daniel Cantrell  Jr P 43 Gavin Wale  Fr K/P 46 Joel Velazquez  Sr P 49 Keola Downing Fr LS 65 Koby Tryggestad Fr K 96 Ryan Meyer  So	Head coach Bryan Harsin Coordinators/assistant coaches Kent Riddle – Associate head coach/Tight ends Eric Kiesau – Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks Spencer Danielson – Co-defensive coordinator/Defensive linemen Jeff Schmedding – Co-defensive coordinator/Inside linebackers Zac Alley – Special teams coordinator/Outside linebackers Matt Miller – Passing game coordinator/Wide receivers Jalil Brown – Cornerbacks Brad Bedell – Run game coordinator/Offensive linemen Winston Venable – Co-special teams coordinator/Running backs Gabe Franklin – Safeties/nickels Jeff Pitman – Director, Strength and Conditioning Brandon Crosby – Offensive analyst Danny McDonald – Defensive analyst Jake Casteel – Graduate assistant Jabril Frazier – Graduate assistant Jeff McDaniels – Graduate assistant Jared Pulu – Graduate assistant J. P. Sorensen – Graduate assistant Tanner Tallan – Graduate assistant Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster

Game summaries

Utah State

See also: 2020 Utah State Aggies football team

Utah State at Boise State

1 2 3 4 Total Aggies 0 0 7 6 13 •Broncos 7 21 0 14 42 Date: October 24, 2020 Location: Albertsons Stadium Boise, ID Game start: 5:15 p.m. MDT Elapsed time: 3:14 Game attendance: 0 Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C) • Weather: Partly Cloudy • Wind: 22 MPH NW Referee: Mike Cuttone • Umpire: Mark Warner • Linesman: Justin Gragg • Line judge: Carlos Owens • Back judge: M. Aaronian • Field judge: Michael Defee • Side judge: T. Castleberry • Center judge: Ian Malepeai TV announcers (FS1): Kevin Fitzgerald and Robert Smith

Scoring summary 1 7:28 BSU George Holani 1 Yd Run (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 0–7 2 13:58 BSU Khalil Shakir 52 Yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 0–14 2 3:23 BSU Hank Bachmeier 6 Yd Run (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 0–21 2 0:25 BSU George Holani 17 Yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 0–28 3 2:05 USU Jaylen Warren 1 Yd Run (Nels Haltom Kick) BSU 7–28 4 11:57 USU Jaylen Warren 2 Yd Run (Nels Haltom PAT failed) BSU 13–28 4 8:29 BSU Khalil Shakir 18 Yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 13–35 4 1:37 BSU Andrew Van Buren 5 Yd Run (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 13–42

Uniform Combination
Helmet	Jersey	Pants

• Passing leaders: Hank Bachmeier (BSU): 20–28, 268 YDS, 3 TD; Jason Shelley (USU): 14–27, 92 YDS, 1 INT.
• Rushing leaders: George Holani (BSU): 14 CAR, 100 YDS, 1 TD; Jaylen Warren (USU): 23 CAR, 89 YDS, 2 TD.
• Receiving leaders: Khalil Shakir (BSU): 7 REC, 123 YDS, 2 TD; Deven Thompkins (USU): 5 REC, 37 YDS.

Statistics	Utah State	Boise State
First downs	12	25
Plays–yards	70–203	67–450
Rushes–yards	43–111	35–171
Passing yards	92	279
Passing: comp–att–int	14–27–1	22–32–0
Time of possession	30:00	30:00

At Air Force

See also: 2020 Air Force Falcons football team

Boise State at Air Force

1 2 3 4 Total •No. 25 Broncos 7 21 7 14 49 Falcons 14 3 0 13 30 Date: October 31, 2020 Location: Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO Game start: 5:00 p.m. MDT Elapsed time: 3:14 Game attendance: 500 Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: 17 MPH N Referee: Brandon Cruse • Umpire: Sheldon Davis • Linesman: George Gusman • Line judge: Jay Bilbo • Back judge: Donnie Aultman • Field judge: Scott Gaines • Side judge: Rick Ockey TV announcers (CBSSN): Carter Blackburn, Aaron Taylor and Jenny Dell (sideline)

Scoring summary 1 14:50 BSU CT Thomas 75 Yd pass from Jack Sears (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 7–0 1 9:27 AFA Brandon Lewis 7 Yd Run (Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl Kick) TIED 7–7 1 3:23 AFA Matthew Murla 1 Yd Run (Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl Kick) AFA 7–14 2 13:14 BSU Andrew Van Buren 4 Yd Run (Jonah Dalmas Kick) TIED 14–14 2 6:53 AFA Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl 31 Yd Field Goal AFA 14–17 2 2:27 BSU Andrew Van Buren 1 Yd Run (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 21–17 2 0:47 BSU Octavius Evans 21 Yd pass from Jack Sears (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 28–17 3 0:54 BSU CT Thomas 26 Yd pass from Jack Sears (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 35–17 4 11:24 AFA Matthew Murla 7 Yd Run (Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl Kick) BSU 35–24 4 11:13 BSU Avery Williams 88 Yd Kickoff Return (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 42–24 4 7:24 AFA Jack Sears 1 Yd Run (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 49–24 4 2:04 BSU Bo Gross 5 Yd Run (Two-Point Run Conversion Failed) BSU 49–30

Uniform Combination
Helmet	Jersey	Pants

• Passing leaders: Jack Sears (BSU): 17–20, 280 YDS, 3 TD; Warren Bryan (AF): 3–6, 38 YDS.
• Rushing leaders: Andrew Van Buren (BSU): 12 CAR, 70 YDS, 2 TD; Brandon Lewis (AF): 10 CAR, 112 YDS, 1 TD.
• Receiving leaders: CT Thomas (BSU): 2 REC, 101 YDS, 2 TD; Kyle Patterson (AF): 3 REC, 38 YDS.

Statistics	Boise State	Air Force
First downs	23	28
Plays–yards	49–459	73–484
Rushes–yards	29–179	66–415
Passing yards	280	69
Passing: comp–att–int	17–20–0	4–7–0
Time of possession	22:29	37:31

BYU

See also: 2020 BYU Cougars football team

BYU at Boise State

1 2 3 4 Total •No. 9 Cougars 7 9 22 13 51 No. 21 Broncos 3 0 0 14 17 Date: November 6, 2020 Location: Albertsons Stadium Boise, ID Game start: 7:45 p.m. MST Elapsed time: 3:21 Game attendance: 1,100 Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C) • Weather: Fair • Wind: 11 MPH WNW Referee: David Alvarez • Umpire: Stuart Schake • Linesman: Rick Smith • Line judge: Mark Estermyer • Back judge: Terrance Jones • Field judge: Jason Ledet • Side judge: Corey Luxner • Center judge: Kenneth Ray TV announcers (FS1): Aaron Goldsmith and Petros Papadakis

Scoring summary 1 11:24 BYU Tyler Allgeier 86 Yd Run (Jake Oldroyd Kick) BYU 7–0 1 3:27 BSU Jonah Dalmas 39 Yd Field Goal BYU 7–3 2 14:54 BYU Jake Oldroyd 47 Yd Field Goal BYU 10–3 2 1:00 BYU Zach Wilson 4 Yd Run (Jake Oldroyd PAT blocked) BYU 16–3 3 12:48 BYU Isaac Rex 5 Yd pass from Zach Wilson (Jake Oldroyd Kick) BYU 23–3 3 6:57 BYU Isaac Rex 20 Yd pass from Zach Wilson (Zach Wilson Pass to Neil Pau'u for Two-Point Conversion) BYU 31–3 3 1:26 BYU Lopini Katoa 20 Yd Run (Jake Oldroyd Kick) BYU 38–3 4 11:27 BYU Neil Pau'u 1 Yd Run (Jake Oldroyd Kick) BYU 45–3 4 9:27 BSU Khalil Shakir 52 Yd pass from Cade Fennegan (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BYU 45–10 4 9:07 BSU Khalil Shakir 46 Yd pass from Cade Fennegan (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BYU 45–17 4 7:59 BYU Tyler Allgeier 2 Yd Run (Jake Oldroyd PAT failed) BYU 51–17

Uniform Combination
Helmet	Jersey	Pants

• Passing leaders: Cade Fennegan (BSU): 15–26, 182 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT; Zach Wilson (BYU): 21–27, 359 YDS, 2 TD.
• Rushing leaders: Andrew Van Buren (BSU): 16 CAR, 45 YDS; Tyler Allgeier (BYU): 14 CAR, 123 YDS, 2 TD.
• Receiving leaders: Khalil Shakir (BSU): 10 REC, 139 YDS, 2 TD; Gunner Romney (BYU): 6 REC, 133 YDS.

Statistics	BYU	Boise State
First downs	25	14
Plays–yards	68–573	65–310
Rushes–yards	38–214	27–61
Passing yards	359	249
Passing: comp–att–int	21–27–0	23–38–1
Time of possession	26:47	33:13

Colorado State

See also: 2020 Colorado State Rams football team

Colorado State at Boise State

1 2 3 4 Total Rams 0 7 14 0 21 •Broncos 21 21 10 0 52 Date: November 12, 2020 Location: Albertsons Stadium Boise, ID Game start: 6:00 p.m. MST Elapsed time: 3:27 Game attendance: 1,100 Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C) • Weather: Mostly Cloudy • Wind: 9 MPH E Referee: Timothy Davis • Umpire: Rico Orsot • Linesman: Eric Carmouche • Line judge: J Weatherford • Back judge: Robert Lewis • Field judge: Brian Wirfel • Side judge: Keith Claiborne TV announcers (FS1): Alex Faust, Evan Moore

Scoring summary 1 14:08 BSU Punt blocked by Avery Williams, recovered by Avery Williams for a TD (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 0–7 1 6:06 BSU Riley Smith 5 Yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 0–14 1 1:14 BSU Field Goal blocked, Kekaula Kaniho return for 91 Yds (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 0–21 2 13:40 CSU Patrick O'Brien 1 Yd Run (Robert Liss Kick) BSU 7–21 2 9:12 BSU Andrew Van Buren 1 Yd Run (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 7–28 2 3:48 BSU Andrew Van Buren 1 Yd Run (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 7–35 2 1:23 BSU Punt blocked by Avery Williams, recovered by DJ Schramm for a 20 Yd return TD (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 7–42 3 11:01 CSU Trey McBride 21 Yd pass from Todd Centeio (Robert Liss Kick) BSU 14–42 3 10:44 CSU A'Jon Vivens 17 Yd run (Robert Liss Kick) BSU 21–42 3 8:52 BSU Jonah Dalmas 38 Yd Field Goal BSU 21–45 3 5:21 BSU Kahlil Shakir 16 Yd pass from Hank Bachmeier, fumbled at goaline, recoverd by Nick Crabtree in endzone (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 21–52

Uniform Combination
Helmet	Jersey	Pants

• Passing leaders: Hank Bachmeier (BSU): 16–28, 202 YDS, 1 TD; Patrick O'Brien (CSU): 9–20, 140 YDS, 1 INT.
• Rushing leaders: Andrew Van Buren (BSU): 13 CAR, 28 YDS, 2 TD; A'Jon Vivens (CSU): 12 CAR, 76 YDS, 1 TD.
• Receiving leaders: CT Thomas (BSU): 6 REC, 103 YDS; Dante Wright (CSU): 5 REC, 109 YDS.

Statistics	Colorado State	Boise State
First downs	15	15
Plays–yards	70–315	67–291
Rushes–yards	139	89
Passing yards	176	202
Passing: comp–att–int	11–29–1	16–30–0
Time of possession	27:27	32:33

At Hawaii

See also: 2020 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team

Boise State at Hawaii

1 2 3 4 Total •Broncos 3 16 21 0 40 Rainbow Warriors 3 0 14 15 32 Date: November 21, 2020 Location: Aloha Stadium Honolulu, HI Game start: 9:00 p.m. MST Elapsed time: 3:46 Game attendance: 0 Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: 21 MPH E Referee: Mike Cuttone • Umpire: Mark Wagner • Linesman: Justin Gragg • Line judge: Carlos Owens • Back judge: M. Aaronian • Field judge: Michael Defee • Side judge: T. Castleberry TV announcers (CBSSN): John Sadak, Randy Cross

Scoring summary 1 4:36 HAW Matthew Shipley 27 Yd Field Goal HAW 0–3 1 1:13 BSU Jonah Dalmas 32 Yd Field Goal TIE 3–3 2 10:09 BSU Jonah Dalmas 42 Yd Field Goal BSU 6–3 2 5:12 BSU Khalil Shakir 38 Yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas PAT blocked) BSU 12–3 2 0:54 BSU Khalil Shakir 3 Yd pass from CT Thomas (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 19–3 3 11:09 HAW Calvin Turner 1 Yd Run (Two-Point Run Conversion Failed) BSU 19–9 3 10:54 BSU Avery Williams 99 Yd Kickoff Return (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 26–9 3 8:18 BSU Andrew Van Buren 11 Yd Run (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 33–9 3 5:36 HAW Calvin Turner 36 Yd pass from Chevan Cordeiro (Calvin Turner Run for Two-Point Conversion) BSU 33–17 3 3:38 BSU Andrew Van Buren 11 Yd Run (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 40–17 4 9:56 HAW Calvin Turner 15 Yd pass from Chevan Cordeiro (Matthew Shipley Kick) BSU 40–24 4 4:52 HAW Jared Smart 4 Yd pass from Chevan Cordeiro (Calvin Turner Run for Two-Point Conversion) BSU 40–32

Uniform Combination
Helmet	Jersey	Pants

• Passing leaders: Hank Bachmeier (BSU): 21–31, 278 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT; Chevan Cordeiro (HAW): 25–48, 253 YDS, 3 TD.
• Rushing leaders: Andrew Van Buren (BSU): 27 CAR, 113 YDS, 2 TD; Chevan Cordeiro (HAW): 18 CAR, 90 YDS.
• Receiving leaders: Khalil Shakir (BSU): 11 REC, 130 YDS, 2 TD; Miles Reed (HAW): 6 REC, 69 YDS.

Statistics	Boise State	Hawaii
First downs	21	25
Plays–yards	68–408	83–394
Rushes–yards	36–127	35–141
Passing yards	281	253
Passing: comp–att–int	22–32–1	25–48–0
Time of possession	29:20	30:40

At Wyoming

See also: 2020 Wyoming Cowboys football team

Boise State at Wyoming

1 2 3 4 Total •Broncos 7 3 7 0 17 Cowboys 3 0 3 3 9 Date: December 12, 2020 Location: War Memorial Stadium Laramie, WY Game start: 4:00 p.m. MST Elapsed time: 3:19 Game attendance: 2,978 Game weather: 20 °F (−7 °C) • Weather: Snowing Referee: Cal McNeill • Umpire: David Williams • Linesman: George Shoup • Line judge: Steve Hoslett • Back judge: Al Moore • Field judge: Albert Bryant • Side judge: Tom Bessant TV announcers (CBSSN): Rich Waltz, Aaron Murray, AJ Ross

Scoring summary 1 11:03 WYO John Hoyland 42 Yd Field Goal WYO 0–3 1 4:41 BSU George Holani 4 Yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 7–3 2 7:38 BSU Jonah Dalmas 34 Yd Field Goal BSU 10–3 3 6:19 WYO John Hoyland 36 Yd Field Goal BSU 10–6 3 0:57 BSU Andrew Van Buren 2 Yd Run (Jonah Dalmas Kick) BSU 17–6 4 4:30 WYO John Hoyland 36 Yd Field Goal BSU 17–9

Uniform Combination
Helmet	Jersey	Pants

• Passing leaders: Hank Bachmeier (BSU): 19–28, 181 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT; Levi Williams (WYO): 3–13, 45 YDS.
• Rushing leaders: Andrew Van Buren (BSU): 25 CAR, 79 YDS, 1 TD; Xazavian Valladay (WYO): 11 CAR, 59 YDS.
• Receiving leaders: Khalil Shakir (BSU): 8 REC, 105 YDS; Xazavian Valladay (WYO): 1 REC, 29 YDS.

Statistics	Boise State	Wyoming
First downs	17	9
Plays–yards	70–292	59–146
Rushes–yards	41–111	38–82
Passing yards	181	64
Passing: comp–att–int	19–29–1	4–21–0
Time of possession	33:37	26–23

vs San Jose State (Mountain West Championship Game)

See also: 2020 San Jose State Spartans football team and 2020 Mountain West Conference Football Championship Game

Boise State vs San Jose State
(Mountain West Championship Game)

1 2 3 4 Total Broncos 3 3 7 7 20 •No. 24 Spartans 7 12 0 15 34 Date: December 19, 2020 Location: Sam Boyd Stadium Whitney, Nevada Game start: 2:15 p.m. MST Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 56 °F (13 °C) • Wind: NE 1 mph Referee: Scott Campbell TV announcers (Fox): Tim Brando, Petros Papadakis

Uniform Combination
Helmet	Jersey	Pants

• Passing leaders: Hank Bachmeier (BSU): 20–40, 221 YDS; Nick Starkel (SJSU): 32–52, 453 YDS, 3 TD.
• Rushing leaders: Andrew Van Buren (BSU): 11 CAR, 26 YDS; Kairee Robinson (SJSU): 12 CAR, 39 YDS.
• Receiving leaders: Khalil Shakir (BSU): 6 REC, 85 YDS; Tre Walker (SJSU): 7 REC, 137 YDS, 1 TD.

Statistics	Boise State	San Jose State
First downs	14	26
Plays–yards	65–224	77–498
Rushes–yards	25–3	25–45
Passing yards	221	453
Passing: comp–att–int	20–40–0	32–52–0
Time of possession	25:27	34:32

Rankings

Further information: 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Final
AP	RV	RV*	RV	—	—	—	—	—	25	21	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	—	—
Coaches	RV	RV*	RV	—	—	RV	RV	RV	RV	23	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV
CFP	Not released												—	—	—	—	—	Not released

Chaplain controversy

Following a game against the Brigham Young University Cougars on November 6, 2020, most of the players of both teams knelt midfield at Boise's Albertsons Stadium. ^[9] Images of the unusual prayer circulated on social media and the story was covered by Deseret News who reported that the prayer was led by Boise State's team chaplain Pastor Mark Thornton. "We started with prayer, we're going to end with prayer, and we're going to give the glory to God," said Thornton. The chaplain had regularly lead prayer on the field after games and held chapel the night before.

The story of Boise State, a public university, having an official team chaplain organizing religious services drew the attention of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). The foundation sent a letter to Boise State President Marlene Tromp stating that employing a chaplain was a constitutional violation and that it could make some student athletes feel coerced into prayers against their wishes. ^[10] FFRF Staff Attorney Christopher Line explained, "Government chaplains may only exist as an accommodation of a public employee’s religious beliefs when the government makes it difficult or impossible to seek out private ministries...Boise State football players have no government-imposed burden on their religion, so there is no need — or legitimate legal reason — for Boise State to provide a chaplain for them."

Boise State responded by eliminating the official chaplain position and pledged to take measures to "resolve the issue and establish appropriate constitutional boundaries." ^[11] President Tromp emphasized the importance of students' rights to make their own choices about their spiritual lives, telling Deseret News, "Boise State will always support our students’ right to pray, should they wish to do so. As a public institution, we cannot sponsor or endorse a specific religious advisor." ^[12]

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a non-profit law firm promoting religious accommodationism, criticized the FFRF after Boise State's pledge to reform. Becket Fund vice president Luke Goodrich called the FFRF "bullies" and erroneously claimed that it had forced a Kansas middle school to end their Christmas toy drive. ^{[13] [14]} "Many public universities have team chaplains, and it’s not only constitutional but good to accommodate players’ voluntary religious practices in this way," said Goodrich.

Players drafted into the NFL

See also: 2021 NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	NFL Club
4	124	John Bates	TE	Washington Football Team
5	183	Avery Williams	CB	Atlanta Falcons

References

1. "WE'RE BACK". twitter.com/MountainWest. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
2. "Boise State football team announces decision to forego bowl game this season". KTVB . December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
3. Counts, Ron (December 20, 2020). "Boise State won't play in a bowl game, ending streak at 18 straight appearances". Idaho Statesman . Retrieved December 20, 2020.
4. "Auburn names Boise State's Harsin as new coach". December 22, 2020.
5. "Broncos' 2020 Schedule Announced". Boise State University. February 27, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
6. "Boise State, local businesses will lose millions with cancellation of fall football". KTVB.com. August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
7. "Mountain West postpones football, fall sports". ESPN.com. August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
8. "Mountain West Announces Revised Football Schedule". Boise State University Athletics. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
9. Walch, Tad (November 11, 2020). "The story behind BYU and Boise State football players joining hands to pray after their game". DeseretNews. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
10. Line, Christopher. "Unconstitutional Chaplaincy and Open Records Request" (PDF). Freedom From Religion Foundation.
11. "Boise State downgrades chaplaincy after FFRF protests". Freedom From Religion Foundation. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
12. Walch, Tad (December 17, 2020). "Boise State keeps team chaplain away from game after atheists protest postgame prayer with BYU". Deseret News. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
13. Line, Christopher. "Multiple Constitutional Violations" (PDF). Freedom From Religion Foundation. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
14. Helfrich, Tony. "Letter to FFRF" (PDF). Freedom From Religion Foundation. Retrieved March 3, 2021.