The Home of the NCAA Broncos: A Legacy of Boise State Athletics

The Boise State Broncos represent Boise State University in intercollegiate athletics. Located in Boise, Idaho, the Broncos compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I as part of the Mountain West Conference (MW). With a successful athletic program, the Broncos have captured the WAC Commissioner's Cup in 2005-06 and 2009-10.

A Football Dynasty

Boise State's football program is its most renowned. In 2006, the team achieved a perfect 13-0 record, culminating in an overtime Fiesta Bowl victory over the Oklahoma Sooners. This remarkable season made them the only major undefeated college football team that year. The BSU football team has since won the Fiesta Bowl two more times, after the 2009 and 2014 seasons. As a member of the Mountain West Conference, the football team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of Division I.

Beyond Football: A Spectrum of Sports

The Broncos' athletic prowess extends beyond the gridiron. The basketball program also competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the Mountain West Conference. The 2009 women's soccer team marked a milestone by participating in the first round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship tournament.

A Look Back at Baseball

Boise State had an intercollegiate baseball program that ran until the 1980 season. In 1971, their inaugural season in the Big Sky Conference, the eight teams were divided into two divisions, with a best-of-three series deciding the conference title. The Big Sky discontinued its sponsorship of baseball after the 1974 season, and several schools, including Southern Division champion Idaho State and three-time conference champion Weber State, dropped their programs. Boise State played on campus until 1979 when construction of the BSU Pavilion (now ExtraMile Arena) forced them to relocate. The final infield is now the site of the tennis courts.

In November 2017, Gary Van Tol was named Boise State's head baseball coach, with the hope of beginning play in 2020. However, the baseball program was cut in July 2020.

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Wrestling Legacy

Gregg Randall has significantly contributed to Boise State wrestling. In 1999, as an assistant coach, he guided Kirk White to a national title. As head coach, his teams have consistently placed in the top three at the conference tournament. BSU wrestling joined the Pac-10 Conference in 1988, and Randall led the Broncos to the top of the Pac-12 Conference four times, with seven top-25 finishes at the NCAA Championships, including a 9th-place finish in 2010-11. In 2006, Ben Cherrington, under Randall's guidance, won the national title in the 157-pound weight class. Boise State Wrestling competed at home in the Bronco's Gym or the ExtraMile Arena.

However, in April 2017, Boise State announced the elimination of their wrestling program after a 2-9 season and an 11-35-1 record over four years.

Albertsons Stadium: More Than Just a Field

Albertsons Stadium, an outdoor athletic stadium on the Boise State University campus, is the home of the Boise State Broncos. Known for its distinctive blue playing surface, installed in 1986, it was the first non-green playing surface in football history.

From Public School Field to Albertsons Stadium

During its early years, BJC football was played at "Public School Field." After the college moved to its present campus in 1940, "College Field" opened in September 1940. In the 1950s, it became the baseball field until construction of the Student Union Building displaced it. The first "Bronco Stadium" was built in three months in 1950.

Boise State began NCAA competition in 1970 in a brand new venue. The first game at the new Bronco Stadium was on September 11. Following the 1974 season, an upper deck was added to the east side. The Broncos moved to the Big West and Division I-A in 1996, resulting in another stadium expansion. The latest stadium expansion was completed in time for the 2008 season, with the addition of the Stueckle Sky Club. During its 11th season, the playing field at Bronco Stadium was named Lyle Smith Field. In 2015, the stadium played host to a soccer friendly between Athletic Bilbao and Club Tijuana.

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The Blue Turf Legacy

After sixteen seasons of playing on standard green AstroTurf, athletic director Gene Bleymaier came up with the idea to install the blue turf. BSU replaced the first blue AstroTurf with the same in 1995, then with blue Astroplay in 2002. The AstroPlay field was replaced in the summer of 2008 with blue FieldTurf surface.

The unique blue turf has spawned several myths. The most prevalent is that the NCAA subsequently banned playing surface colors other than green, but allowed Albertsons Stadium's field to remain blue under a grandfather clause. In reality, the NCAA has never adopted such a rule.

Expansion and Future Plans

As the Boise State football program rose to national prominence in the early 2000s, Albertsons Stadium became increasingly insufficient. The school completed a three-story complex on the stadium's west side called the Stueckle Sky Club. The practice facility, named the Caven-Williams Sports Complex, officially opened in February 2006. In late August 2010, the athletic department revealed expansion plans for Albertsons Stadium.

A Fortress at Home

During Boise State's recent streak of conference championships, Albertsons Stadium has proven to be a tough place for opponents. As of December 6, 2024, the Broncos are a sensational 148-14 at home since the 1999 season. The Broncos won 47 straight home conference games from 1999 to 2011 and were undefeated in home conference games during their 10 years in the WAC (40-0). The stadium expanded to 36,387 in 2012 and the highest attendances have all come since.

The Future of the Broncos

Boise State continues to build on its athletic legacy. In 2022, the Southland Conference added Boise State as a beach volleyball affiliate member. The university is constantly evolving, with ongoing facility improvements and a commitment to providing a top-tier athletic experience for its student-athletes and fans.

2025 Season Overview

In the 2025 season, the Boise State Broncos hold a 5-2 overall record and a 3-0 conference record, placing them at the top of the Mountain West standings. Key statistics for the team include:

Passing Yards: 273.0 per game (29th nationally)
Rushing Yards: 205.6 per game (25th nationally)
Points For: 36.9 per game (Tied-20th nationally)
Points Against: 26.1 per game (83rd nationally)

Key players contributing to these stats include Maddux Madsen, the quarterback with 1,823 passing yards and 15 touchdowns, and Dylan Riley, the running back with 695 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. Chris Marshall leads in receiving yards with 440 yards and 2 touchdowns.

2026 Recruiting Class

The Broncos are also actively recruiting for the future, with several players committed for the 2026 season. Top recruits include Terrious Favors, Kole Cronin, and Jackson Taylor.

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