Prater & The Ballgame

Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey joins Prater and Ballgame in the KTIK Lithia Ford of Boise Studio for his once-a-month conversation - he touches on the new North End Zone project (good and bad, so far), football season ticket sales, jersey patches ... and a new concert coming to The Blue??, Bob (Bronco Focus) talks to three assistant coaches (QB, WR, DL) about their most important player, Pac-12 and MW now sharing the same corporate brand - beef jerky, LSU reporter on expectations for former Boise State safely Ty Benefield

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Ballgame to share separate interviews with QB coach Zak Hill, DL coach Frank Maile and WR coach Alvis Whitted. Bob asks each coach about their most important player.

Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey joins Prater and Ballgame in the KTIK Lithia Ford of Boise Studio for his once-a-month conversation. This time, Dickey touches on the new North End Zone project (the good and bad, so far), football season ticket sales, jersey patches, Pac-12 branding ... and a new concert coming to The Blue??

Bob steps outside of Boise on a Monday edition of Bronco Focus and fills the audience in on some of the hottest talking points around the Pac 12 with camps well underway across the entire conference.

Troy Merritt is returning to Boise this week for the Albertsons Boise Open. He talked about what's been a strong 2026 for him having played in events both on the PGA Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour and coming back to the Treasure Valley to play at Hillcrest Country Club this week.

Johnny and Greg (in for Prater) celebrate Johnny's birthday, share their winners and losers from the weekend, and check in with Boise State athletics Hall of Famer Troy Merritt from men's golf as it's Boise Open week! Bob checks in and gives us all the hottest preseason topics in the Pac 12. Ryan Leaf was in Boise over the weekend Johnny and Greg reacted to a lot of what the lead analyst for USA's coverage of the Pac 12 had to say. Plus, who is going to be the biggest contributor amongst the newcomers to Boise State Football in 2026? Lastly, do you trust the Raiders to get the most out of Ashton Jeanty in a pivotal second season for the BSU legend.

Sherrod Smith is projected to be one of Boise State's starting cornerbacks in 2026 after sitting behind A'Marion McCoy and Jeremiah Earby last season. Bob filled everyone in on what to expect from the junior this season, who also went to the same high school as McCoy and Earby.

Johnny and Greg (in for Prater) talked a lot about the Pro Football Hall of Fame weekend in Canton. Former Boise State football player Richie Brockel joined the show from Ohio as Brockel was a former teammate of Luke Kuechly's in Carolina. Plus, who might give Boise State Football fans a reason to head to Canton one day? Bob checks in with Broncos CB Sherrod Smith who is projected to start in 2026. Later on, Johnny and Greg talk about a challenging task of preparing inexperienced Broncos for the challenge that is opening the season in Autzen Stadium against Oregon. Also, the Friday Five is back and they gave out one final pair of Boise State Football season tickets in Touchdowns for Tickets!

Our final day of qualifying for Touchdowns for Tickets - we pick our sixth and final winner of Boise State football season tickets during Friday's show, observations from the second day of Broncos' camp (Boen Phelps!!!), hear interviews with WR Akeem Wright (motivated, confident) and EDGE rusher Bol Bol (Bronco Focus with Bob), NFL running backs are getting paid - what does that mean for Ashton Jeanty when he starts chasing a second contract, Prater diving into a bachelor party this weekend - how old is too old for a bachelor party?

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Ballgame to share his conversation with Bol Bol. The 6-4, 250-pound Canadian said he "was alright'' last year - his first in college football. What are expectations for this season?

Our three-week Touchdowns for Tickets contest is down to its final three days - new winner of Boise State football season tickets is announced Wednesday with three more chances to qualify Thursday, our first-day observations from Boise State football camp, interviews with starters Dylan Riley (RB), Tyler Ethridge (LT) and Travis Anderson (S), touchdown celebration spikes will be allowed in college football this season (what happens when a player dives into the north end zone field-level suites?), are you Team Ted Lasso or Team Hard Knocks

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Ballgame to share his conversation with junior safety Travis Anderson. Wednesday was the first day of fall camp and Anderson was taking No. 1 snaps at field-side safety. Where has Anderson become a better player going into 2026?

Three new chances to qualify for our Touchdowns for Tickets contest - and your chance to win Boise State football season tickets (contest ends this week), Boise State opens fall camp Wednesday and our focus will be on the offensive line, one EDGE rusher position and linebackers, Bob shares how this team can go from "good to great" in his Bronco Focus report, Spencer Danielson looking into adding 2025 top players Braxton Fely and Jeremiah Earby to this year's roster (new court ruling!!) - how would that impact chemistry, has Tony Romo called his last game for CBS and how do we feel about that potential decision 

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Ballgame for a conversation on the eve of fall camp. Bob wants to see the 2026 Broncos go from "good to great'' - what is he looking for on offense and defense as fall camp Wednesday?

Third and final week of our Touchdowns for Tickets contest - 12 chances to qualify this week and two winners (Wednesday and Friday) will walk away with a pair of Boise State football season tickets, Boise State football coach Spencer Danielson on details behind fall camp starting Wednesday, could Danielson add former players Braxton Fely and Jeremiah Earby to the roster, Bob looks into the running back room in Bronco Focus, we chronicle the highs and lows of Banana Ball weekend inside Albertsons Stadium, Weekend Winners & Losers

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Greg for a conversation about running backs Sire Gaines and Dylan Riley. Bob said RB is the Broncos' best position - both players are hoping to chase 1,000 yards this season. How can that happen? Will it happen? And which players are providing depth behind Gaines and Riley?

Week two of Touchdowns For Tickets comes to an end with another winner of Boise State football season tickets - 12 more chances to qualify next week (the third and final week of our annual contest), Boise State opens camp next week - will the Broncos go with live, physical tackling in fall camp like they did in the spring, we honor the life of former NFL player, Super Bowl champion and Eagle High football coach Jordan Devey who passed away earlier this month, Jordan's mom, Leslie, joins the show to talk about her son, his battle with CTE and how it can be spotted early enough to make a difference, B.J. with his weekly BNN Report - this time from Banana Ball inside Albertsons Stadium, former Boise State WR Cam Camper joins the Jets and becomes the 15th former Bronco in the NFL

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, is on vacation so Prater and Greg take over with a pre-camp debate: Should the Broncos, who struggled with tackling during the 2025 season, go live with physical tackling when camp opens Wednesday? Coach Spencer Danielson went with that strategy in spring camp. Does it make sense in fall camp?

TOUCHDOWNS FOR TICKETS ... We qualify more contestants for our three-week contest to give away six pairs of Boise State season tickets (new winner announced 5:30 p.m. Friday), Boise State football general manager Brandon Jones on last-minute camp details, what does the special teams depth chart look like going into camp (Bronco Focus), Oregon insider Steve Tannen (95.3 The Score) on the Ducks roster - is the team really that good, plus NFL camp headlines/interviews with Ashton Jeanty, Kellen Moore and Taysom Hill

Boise State opens fall camp Wednesday, with players scheduled to officially report by Tuesday. General manager Brandon Jones joins Prater and Greg for a conversation about last-minute details, what needs to be done before Wednesday and how the new north end zone complex will play a role in this year's month-long camp.

Steve Tannen, with 95.3 The Score in Eugene (broadcast home of the Oregon Ducks), joins Prater and Greg for a conversation about the 2026 roster. The Ducks are loaded with national championship expectations. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the roster? More important, could Oregon win a natty - if it loses to Boise State on Sept. 5?

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, is on vacation so Prater and Greg take over with a look at special teams. The unit struggled with elite production last season - how will it be different in 2026, starting with position battles in fall camp starting next week. 

TOUCHDOWNS FOR TICKETS ... We qualify more contestants and determine a new winner for our three-week contest to give away six pairs of Boise State season tickets (three more chances to qualify Thursday), Oregon coach Dan Lanning speaks from Big Ten Media Days - what does he say about rock-star QB Dante Moore, Bob talks about two new position coaches on the Boise State football team in Bronco Focus, catching up with Kellen Moore (Saints) and Ashton Jeanty (Raiders) as the NFL dives into training camps, is Moore the best QB in college football or is it Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Greg to share his report on two new position coaches for the football program: Tights end coach Justin Udy and cornerbacks coach DJ Killings. Udy has Idaho ties and Killings has an NFL resume. How did Boise State land two new coaches - and what kind of talent are they working with this season?

Touchdown for Tickets - three more chances to qualify for a shot to win Boise State football season tickets (three more chances to qualify every day this week - and next), Cam Bates talks about Boise State wide receivers and their drop problems from last year (and how the issue is being addressed this offseason), Bob talks to Bates and dives into details behind the WR room in Bronco Focus, what is Memphis coach Charles Huff saying two days before the Tigers open fall camp (Memphis at Boise State on Sept. 12), NFL coaches in trouble - including former Boise State standout Gerald Alexander

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Greg to share his Media Day interview with returning wide receiver Cam Bates. The speedy junior is part of a crowded WR room this season - but an important part of the passing game for QB Maddux Madsen.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Ballgame to share his Media Day interview with presumed starting right guard Roger Carreon. The redshirt senior was a mainstay starter last season but missed spring camp - what's the potential for a strong finish from Carreon?

Former Boise State football All-American and Seattle Seahawks draft pick Larry Polowski joins the show in-studio for all three hours, celebrating 42 years of Idaho Sports Talk. Polowski, the inspiration and co-host behind IST in 1985, shares the story of how IST started and some of his favorite memories and interviews (and most challenging interviews). Polowski also dives into the future of sports talk radio/sports media in Boise - and beyond. Plus, Bob with Bronco Focus and more from Boise State football Media Day on Wednesday.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Ballgame to share a few nuggets from Boise State Media Day on Wednesday. What does Sire Gaines think about the Broncos having two 1,000-yard running backs this season?

Boise State football conducted Media Day on Wednesday inside Albertsons Stadium - and we share exclusive interviews with team leaders Maddux Madsen and Jayden Virgin-Morgan (with Prater and Ballgame) and head coach Spencer Danielson (Bob in Bronco Focus), plus Greg interviews several players and coaches - what do they know about the Pac-12? We share a few other items that we learned during three hours with the football team.

Boise State senior quarterback Maddux Madsen joins Prater and Ballgame for an exclusive conversation from Media Day at Albertsons Stadium. He's helped the Broncos to win three conference championships, but he hasn't won over the fan base. How can that change in 2026? What will his legacy be after this season - and how much does he think about legacy? And what about that honeymoon to Europe, where he encountered a Boise State fan in Italy?

Senior Jayden Virgin-Morgan joins Prater and Ballgame for an exclusive conversation at Boise State Media Day - Wednesday on the north end zone concourse inside Albertsons Stadium. JVM is the leader of the defense and a leader in the locker room, but what about production. Can he chase down more QBs in 2026? And what's his plan for continuing his career in the NFL?

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Ballgame to share his Boise State Media Day conversation with football coach Spencer Danielson. What does he know about the Pac-12?

Our annual Touchdowns for Tickets contest continues - listen daily over the next three weeks for a chance to win Boise State football season tickets (first winner announced during Wednesday's show), we preview Boise State football Media Day on Wednesday (what's Maddux Madsen thinking these days?), Bob talks about Boise State and CFP ingredients in Bronco Focus, will Jeremiyah Love (Cardinals) have a better rookie season in 2026 than Ashton Jeanty (Raiders) did in 2025, Aaron Rodgers is bonding with teammates and family - sincere or an act?, what's the future of ESPN and sports media

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Ballgame for a conversation about what it takes to land a CFP invite. What ingredients worked in the past when Boise State landed in four Fiesta Bowls? What's it going to take this year - especially when it comes to coaching and the schedule?

IT'S BACK - our favorite contest of the year: Touchdowns For Tickets and your chance to win a pair of 2026 Boise State football season tickets (listen to the show for chances to qualify every hour, Monday through Thursday, for the next three weeks - six winners will be announced Wednesdays and Fridays) ... Bob dives into Boise State's defense in Bronco Focus, former Boise State/current Cleveland Browns safety Zion Washington joins the show three days before opening his first NFL training camp, Idaho State voted ahead of Idaho in Big Sky preseason media polls, is Fresno State the biggest game on the Broncos' schedule, thoughts on the World Cup, Weekend Winners & Losers

Former Boise State defensive back Zion Washington joins Prater and Ballgame for a conversation - three days before reporting to his first NFL training camp with the Browns. The safety has been working out in Texas for two months and has high hopes of making the roster - along with his cousin. That would be former Boise State/Arkansas QB Taylen Green, now also with the Browns.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Ballgame for a conversation about this season's version of Boise State's defense. He compares the 2026 roster to four previous Boise State defenses that played in Fiesta Bowls.

Riley O'Brien was an eighth-round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft out of the College of Idaho. He became an MLB All-Star nine years later. He joined Johnny and Greg to discuss his journey on Idaho Sports Talk.

Johnny and Greg (in for Prater) wrap up the week catching up with Boise State soccer coach Jim Thomas to preview the big soccer game on Sunday afternoon between Spain and Argentina. Johnny also tries to get Greg more into the game by attempting to sell him on what's being billed as a huge halftime show. Bob checks in with Baseball with Bob where he previews the second half of the Major League Baseball season. Later on, Phil Steele catches up with Johnny and Greg to preview Boise State's Football season and look around the rest of the Pac 12. In the final hour of the show, College of Idaho product and MLB All-Star Riley O'Brien talks with Johnny and Greg about his journey to the Midsummer Classic. Plus, the guys conclude the week with the traditional Friday Five segment but also throw in a big show announcement at the end!

On Thursday's show, Johnny and Greg (in for Prater) caught up with Thomas Harding, Rockies beat writer for MLB.com to discuss Idaho product Gabriel Hughes getting the ball in Colorado's first game out of the All-Star break on Friday. Is Hughes going to stay in the rotation for the rest of the season for the Rockies? As the sports calendar dries up, what kinds of sports documentaries do you enjoy with a new season of "Quarterback" available on Netflix. Johnny and Greg also have had some home repairs this week. Are you the kind of person that likes to be home when the repair work is being done to monitor the situation? Plus, the duo took a look at Boise State's pass rush. How much better does it need to be in 2026 compared to last year. Lastly, with no PAC 12 media days going on, what are some of the conference's hottest talking points entering the first year of the reconfigured league.

Bob continues checking in on the strengths of some previous Boise State Football teams that have played in the Fiesta Bowl. On Thursday, he looked at how the rushing attacks have been for the teams that played on one of College Football's biggest stages.

Bob starts a four-part series by looking at some of the QB play Boise State has gotten in its four seasons that have ended with appearances in Fiesta Bowls.

With the Mountain West and Sun Belt having their media days on Wednesday and Thursday, Johnny and Greg (in for Prater) took a look at some of the top projected teams in each league and if the conference champions from either conference could challenge Boise State for the G6 College Football Playoff berth. What are some of the most intriguing storylines in the NFL with training camps set to open next week? Also, there were a lot of big movies released on this day as Johnny and Greg take a look back on some notable titles in pop culture. Plus, as Maddux Madsen enters his final season as Boise State's starting quarterback, is there more pressure on Madsen or Zak Hill. Who are some other assistants on BSU's staff that have a lot of pressure on themselves?

Johnny and Greg (in for Prater) were joined by Englishman and AC Boise player Charlie Adams as England prepares for a big semifinal against Argentina and Charlie continues to play soccer in the Treasure Valley. Bob hops in for an All-Star game edition of Baseball with Bob. Plus, is the ACC the forgotten power four league? How would Boise State perform in the weakest of the four power conferences? What are things going to look like in the defensive backfield for Boise State in 2026 with Jaden Mickey being the only returning starter? Lastly, with College of Idaho's Ryan O'Brien in the MLB All-Star Game tonight, Johnny and Greg discussed some other Idaho ties to the midsummer classic.

The Rocky Mountain High School graduate and current Colorado Rockies pitcher joined Johnny and Greg to talk about what the last few weeks have been like for him. Hughes made his Major League debut on July 3 on the mound at Coors Field and got his first start on July 8 at Dodger Stadium.

Bob runs through how likely it might be that both Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines rush for over 1,000 yards in 2026 and provides some historical context on Boise State's rushing attacks of years past.

Johnny and Greg (in for Prater) get the week started with the usual weekend winners and losers segment. It's the middle of July which means it's All-Star time in Major League Baseball and there are two former Boise Hawks in the HR Derby. Johnny and Greg looked back on the history of Boise Hawks who participated in the event. More baseball talk later on in the show as the Rocky Mountain High School graduate Gabriel Hughes joins to discuss getting to the major leagues with the Colorado Rockies earlier this month and what his first start was like at Dodger Stadium. Lastly, who do you think is going to be Boise State's best receiver in 2026 and could that player top the numbers LaTrell Caples posted last season as the leading receiver for the Broncos?

Which team finishes last this Pac-12 football season - we target Oregon State and Colorado State, B.J. (BNN Report) joins the show to talk about which community (Corvallis or Fort Collins?) is best equipped to help build those two programs, temperature check on Boise State defensive coordinator Erik Chinander (what kind of job is he doing?), AC Boise soccer owner Brad Stith on the success of his club and the impact of a World Cup, the KTIK crew joins TikTok and we need lots of advice!!!

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, is on vacation this week as Prater and Ballgame take over his segment to talk about the Pac-12 football season. Earlier in the week, we talked about top contenders? New conversation: Which team finishes last?