Prater & The Ballgame

Did the Team USA soccer loss at the buzzer on Thursday night still hurt you even though the game didn't impact their future? Johnny and Greg discussed that. They were joined by Steelheads veteran Charlie Dodero in the Lithia Ford of Boise studio as Dodero gave them the perspective on living in Boise year-round while the Steelheads right in the middle of their offseason. Bob gave the audience an update on where things stand in Major League Baseball at the halfway point of the 2026 season. Edward Norton and Brad Pitt were spotted at the USA soccer game on Thursday night. Johnny and Greg discussed their love for Fight Club and some other popular movie duos. BJ Rains joined for his weekly BNN Report on Fridays. Later on, Johnny and Greg discussed an important next few weeks for Tyson Degenhart as the NBA Summer League is getting closer and the Friday Five returned to the show.

Pearson Carmichael is one of Boise State's more experienced basketball players all of a sudden. Bob shared Carmichael's thoughts on becoming one of the veteran leaders on Boise State's roster heading into 2026-27.

A new proposal is out to make some more changes to College Football and Johnny and Greg reacted to possibly shrinking the transfer portal window in January to open the show. Boise State soccer coach Jim Thomas joined for his weekly hit discussing the final games of the group stage in the world's biggest soccer tournament. Zig Fracassi of SiriusXM NFL Radio also hopped on the show to break down the national perspective on Kellen Moore's second season as an NFL head coach and Ashton Jeanty heading into year two in the Raiders backfield. Have you heard of Merlin the duck? Later on, Greg and Johnny reacted to additional elements of the proposed changes to college football that involve some practice adjustments in the offseason. Plus, lots of recruiting services are liking Texas State's 2027 football class.

Having previously served as an assistant at Boise State, Andrew Rich thrived in his first head coaching gig at Idaho State and now returns to the Treasure Valley to take the head job at BSU. Bob gives Boise State fans all the info on their new softball coach.

Boise State is officially one week out from joining the Pac 12! Don't forget to join Johnny, Prater and Greg on Tuesday, June 30 at Albertsons Stadium in the North End Zone concourse to celebrate the new league. John Bladholm joined the show to discuss the first annual Idaho Charity Championship. If the 2025 NFL head coaching hires had a horse race, where is Kellen Moore currently pacing? What are some things you do differently at work when you get a new boss? Johnny and Greg also discussed if Gonzaga Basketball can still be a strong brand atop the new Pac 12 with Gonzaga set to not have a player drafted into the NBA for the second consecutive year. Plus, they take a look back at how Boise State Football performed in its first season in the Big West, WAC and Mountain West with the Pac 12 getting closer.

Boise State has a new point guard and Johnny and Greg caught up with Damari Wheeler-Thomas in studio on Tuesday. What's life been like for the North Dakota State transfer since arriving in Boise? What does he know about his teammates so far? How about the coaching staff? What does he like to do in his free time?

After checking in with football yesterday, Bob catches up with some former Bronco basketball players who shared their favorite memories of the Mountain West era with Boise State officially in its final week as a member of the Mountain West.

With the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft held on Tuesday night, Johnny and Greg discuss if the Utah Jazz can revive some of their older fans in Idaho with the second overall pick. The two also react to some more news regarding Brendan Sorsby after the NFL denied his application for the Supplemental Draft. Bob checks in with some former Boise State Men's Basketball players and their favorite memories in the Mountain West as Boise State wraps up its final week as a Mountain West member. Johnny and Greg also reacted to the big news of Toy Story 5 grossing 312 million dollars worldwide in its opening weekend. Later on, new Boise State guard Damari Wheeler-Thomas joined the show in the studio to talk about picking BSU in the transfer portal and Johnny and Greg talked about their expectations for the basketball season.

With NFL minicamps and OTAs in the rearview mirror and training camps right around the corner, Johnny and Greg caught up with Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland to see how former Boise State QB Taylen Green is doing since being drafted by the Browns in the sixth round of this year's NFL Draft. What kinds of chances does Green have to make the roster this fall in Northeast Ohio? Could he start a game or two for the Browns this season? Might he only be a gadget player?

As Boise State prepares to install new blue turf at Albertsons Stadium, Bob shared with Johnny and Greg the four former Broncos he caught up with during the offseason that had some memories on the turf that is getting replaced and some other iterations of the blue.

The news of the day on Monday in sports was Dusty May accepting the Dallas Mavericks head coaching position. Johnny and Greg (in for Prater) reacted to what it means for college basketball. They mixed in some soccer and golf talk in weekend winners and losers and got a check in on Taylen Green's status in Cleveland with Browns reporter Daryl Ruiter. Plus, Serena Williams is back at Wimbledon as news broke over the weekend that she will return to the lawns in London as a wild card in the women's singles draw next week. Later on, Johnny and Greg talked about the stability in the Pac 12 with its basketball coaches and evaluated the chances of Tyler Shough having a breakout season for the Saints in Kellen Moore's second year as the head coach.

What Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey told Prater and B.J. (BNN Live on Thursday morning) about new campus president finalist David Hahn - a mechanical engineer who's worked on the Arizona, Florida and LSU campuses, what's Dickey's first impression and is Hahn a sports fan (Kellen Moore!), Father's Day weekend stories and the importance of the U.S. Open golf tradition this weekend, Boise State soccer coach Jim Thomas with an American update on World Cup soccer, the story of a Treasure Valley businessman who drove four hours round trip Tuesday to present Camp Rainbow Gold with a check for $10,000 during our annual show/trip to Hidden Paradise outside Fairfield

Boise State announced a finalist for university president this week - David Hahn, a mechanical engineer with a academic background on the campuses of Arizona, Florida and LSU. Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey has been talking/meeting with Hahn for a couple of weeks - he told Prater and B.J. (BNN Live show earlier Thursday morning) about his initial impression of Hahn. More important, is he a sports fan? And which team? The answer may surprise you ... NOTE: Bob returns to Bronco Focus with Johnny and Greg next week.

Our fourth annual show from Hidden Paradise/Camp Rainbow Gold - inspirational stories behind the growth (and needs) of Idaho's only cancer camp for kids, families and siblings ... US soccer star/ESPN analyst Kasey Keller joins the show to talk about the World Cup, USA in Seattle and AC Boise, Seahawks reporter Gregg Bell (News Tribune, KJR) on DeMarcus Lawrence, George Holani and Super Bowl rings, Bobs talks to former player/current football coach Jabril Frazier in Bronco Focus, who has the best WR room in the new Pac-12. SHOW SPONSOR: TREASURE VALLEY SUBARU

Former American goalie Kasey Keller, who played in four World Cups, joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about this week's World Cup stop in Seattle. Keller is a Seattle area native, covering the tournament for ESPN, and has plenty to say about Monday's Seattle Stadium debut (Belgium-Egypt) and Friday's long-anticipated game (USA-Australia). He also talks about the story behind his minority ownership in AC Boise's new soccer club.

Seahawks reporter Gregg Bell (News Tribune, KJR) joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about the end of spring camp season for the defending Super Bowl champions. Former Boise State standouts DeMarcus Lawrence and George Holani remain significant parts of the roster, and they now have their Super Bowl rings. 

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Johnny to share the second half of his interview with former Broncos player/current EDGE coach Jabril Frazier. He recently attended the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship in California, spending time with the Los Angeles Rams.

We dive into the 2026 Pac-12 football season by ranking the top running back rooms in the new conference - Boise State, San Diego State and Fresno State appear at the top of the list (with Colorado State at the bottom), Bob talks to former player/current coach Jabril Frazier about his growth/future in Bronco Focus, Boise State basketball loses top guard transfer Ty Rodgers to serious injury, Kellen Moore has mandatory minicamp this week - his top priorities, Weekend Winners & Losers

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Johnny to share the first half of his interview with former Broncos player/current EDGE coach Jabril Frazier. He recently attended the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship in California, spending time with the Los Angeles Rams. TUESDAY: Part II of the Frazier interview.

With preseason magazines already hitting the stands, what's the picture for Pac-12 quarterbacks in 2026 - four of eight teams have established starters, B.J. (BNN Report) on how the Boise State football roster changed with the addition of 14 new names on the roster, is sports gambling legal in Idaho - (no, maybe, yes?), it's a monster sports weekend in the Treasure Valley - what event are you attending, NBA and NHL finals could be over this weekend, World Cup party starts for the USA, Baseball with Bob

Pocatello native Julian Bowie, in his third season with the Boise State basketball program, is on the court this week as the Broncos go through their summer program. The combo guard missed almost all of last season after his father died. Bowie talks about his emotional journey, his return to basketball, coach Leon Rice's rebuilt roster and what he expects this season in a return to active basketball. PHOTO: Courtesy of Boise State Athletics

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Johnny to share his interview with football general manager Brandon Jones. The Broncos are in the middle of June camp season - Bob takes a look at the importance of high school-aged camps. The Broncos aren't doing a team camp this summer so the emphasis is on individuals (and future/potential recruits). "In the end, in-person evaluation is everything,'' Jones said.

Boise State football coach Spencer Danielson called into the show Wednesday to share the story of a photo he posted on social media earlier in the day - hanging out on The Blue with Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. Danielson said Swinney showed up in the Boise State complex unannounced, and walked into a team leadership meeting. He was on his way home after a family vacation in Montana, Danielson said. PHOTO COURTESY OF SPENCER DANIELSON'S X PAGE

Boise State has two openings on its 2027 football schedule and is shopping for one Power Four road game - we do the homework to find out which teams are available for one game next season (Cal? Stanford? Miami? Alabama? Texas A&M?), Spencer Danielson calls into the show - why was Dabo Swinney on The Blue on Wednesday, Bob (Bronco Focus) talks to GM Brandon Jones about the importance of June camp season for Boise State football, Kellen Moore talks about consistency and building his offense with the Saints, K.J. - our office soccer geek - on top players/stars to watch in the World Cup

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Johnny to share his interview with Boise State football general manager Brandon Jones. The Broncos are in the middle of June camp season - Bob takes a look at the importance of youth camps (up to eighth grade). "Planting seeds at a young age,'' Jones said. Thursday: The impact of camps for high school-aged athletes.

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 interview with former Boise State wide receiver Billy Bowens (2018-23). Bowens, out of football for a while, is playing for the Jacksonville Sharks of the Indoor Football League. 

With Greg sitting in for Johnny, we dive into Saturday night at Albertsons Stadium - Hot Wheels Monster Truck show with Ashton Jeanty drew 30,000 fans, what's next as Boise State continues to pursue different entertainment avenues for raising money, how much did Jeanty's appearance impact the show - and what did he have to say before heading back to Raiders training camp, Bob (Bronco Focus) talks to coach Leon Rice about his new roster after first day of Boise State basketball summer practice, Brendan Sorsby gambling scandal (and Monday's shocking court decision) could be good for college athletes, Weekend Winners & Losers

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 thoughts after meeting with Boise State basketball coach Leon Rice on Monday. It was the first day of summer conditioning for the Broncos and their revamped roster. What were Bob's observations? What did Rice say about his new team?

From Ashton Jeanty and Hot Wheels Monster Trucks to Banana Ball to Boise State football camp in August, it's a busy summer for The Blue - senior associate AD Chris Kutz joins the show to talk about the summer schedule and how it works while a new blue turf is installed, College Football Hall of Famer and former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer (Capital High) in studio to catch up on his annual summer camp - and what he's up to these days, B.J. (BNN Report) on Boise State pursuing Opening Round basketball games for the newly expanded NCAA Tournament in 2027, Friday Five - our week in review with a twist, World Cup storylines that intrigue us, Baseball with Bob (college postseason preview)

Former quarterback star Jake Plummer (Capital High, Arizona State, NFL) joins the show in the KTIK Lithia Ford of Boise Studio to talk about his annual camp - The Plummer Challenge to benefit the Idaho Youth Sports Commission. The camp is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Morley Nelson Elementary School. The camp is free for all participating children. Plummer talks about what makes his camp so unique - and what he's up to these days. PHOTO: Courtesy of the Idaho Youth Sports Commission

New Boise State basketball coach Max Rice joins the show in the KTIK Lithia Ford of Boise Studio to talk about his new role - and how he plans to impact the basketball program coached by his dad Leon Rice, Ryan Dinwiddie on his new role in the Canadian Football League and thoughts on becoming a Boise State Hall of Famer, giving away tickets to meet Ashton Jeanty at the Hot Wheels Monster Truck show at Albertsons Stadium on Saturday, The Blue is covered up for Saturday's show - that can leave fans a bit emotional, Bob (Bronco Focus) continues his tour of Mountain West memories - worst losses, NBA and NHL playoffs full of surprises and dominance

Former Boise State basketball standout Max Rice joins Prater and Mallory in the KTIK Lithia Ford of Boise Studio - his first day on a new job. Rice is Boise State's new assistant coach after completing a quick professional career in Australia. He joins his father, head coach Leon Rice, on the Broncos' staff. His thoughts. His plan to improve Boise State basketball. His future.

Former Boise State QB star Ryan Dinwiddie joins the show to talk about his new gig, which kicks off this weekend - head coach, general manager, offensive coordinator and play-caller for the Ottawa Redblacks. The Canadian Football League veteran kicks off another season in the league Saturday - what does he think about rebuilding a franchise into a CFL contender? PHOTO: Courtesy of the Ottawa Redblacks

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Johnny to continue his Mountain West memory tour. The Broncos didn't do a lot of losing during their 15 seasons in the MW - but some of those losses will sting forever. From TCU in 2011 to UTEP in 2022 and Colorado State in 2023 - which one hurt the most?

Former Boise State QB standout Brett Rypien on why he's coming to Boise this weekend - and his future in the NFL, Boise State officially adds former basketball player Max Rice to Leon Rice's coaching staff, what Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould had to say in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, starting to get a clearer picture of the Pac-12's bowl future, Bob (Bronco Focus) goes down Mountain West memory lane - best wins during the 15-year era, preview of the NBA Finals

Former Boise State QB standout Brett Rypien, who has been in the NFL with several teams since 2019, joins Prater and Mallory to talk about his future in the league. He's a free agent this offseason and still working out - but is coaching his next move in the NFL? Rypien is in Boise on Friday and Saturday for the annual Gridiron Dreams Football Academy, featuring several former Boise State players. Camp and registration information is attached, including a KTIK promo code for a 15 percent registration discount. Website: GridironDreams.net with promo code KTIK15.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Johnny to continue his Mountain West memory tour. The Broncos won 75 percent of their football games during 15 seasons in the MW - what are the top six victories, according to Bob.

Giving away free tickets to the Hot Wheels Monster Truck show Saturday at Albertsons Stadium - chance to win tickets to meet/hang with Ashton Jeanty later this week, Boise State football is 9-8 all-time against QBs who became first-round draft picks in the NFL (Dante Moore next?), Bob continues his series of Mountain West football memories in Bronco Focus - special teams milestones, how many pairs of tennis shoes/sneakers do you own and what was the most you've paid, remembering 1999 - last time the Knicks and Spurs played in the NBA Finals, previewing the Stanley Cup with NHL reporter/former Steelheads play-by-play voice Rob Simpson

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Johnny to continue his Mountain West memory tour. The Broncos have produced several top kickers and punters over the past 15 seasons - but this conversation centers around one of Bob's all-time favorite Boise State football players ... special teams guru Avery Williams.

Former Boise State QB Kellen Moore lands on College Football Hall of Fame ballot for the seventh time - 2027 ballot also includes Mike Leach, NFL headlines on Russell Wilson (headed to TV), A.J. Brown (headed to Patriots) and Myles Garrett (headed to Rams), Bob with Boise State football and its top five defensive players during the Mountain West era (Bronco Focus), Jonah Dalmas has career kicking day in the UFL, what you watching - NBA Finals or Stanley Cup Final (or both?), June is a solid sports month - we rank the top 10 events with a shot of Blue Ice Vodka, Weekend Winners & Losers 

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Johnny to continue his Mountain West memory tour. The Broncos spent 15 seasons in the MW - Bob has identified the top five defensive plays from those seasons (plays from the Kellen Moore season in 2011 to Seyi Oladipo's dramatics in 2024).

What sports/entertainment events would you love to see on The Blue - we have a few thoughts and so do our listeners, B.J. (BNN Report), Prater and Johnny go through the Boise State football schedule and predict the first 11 games (9-2 or 7-4?), new College of Western Idaho athletic director Mahmood Sheikh joins the show in the KTIK Lithia Ford of Boise Studio to talk about starting a new athletic program (#OtterProud), Friday Five - our week in review with a twist, Baseball with Bob (and no-hitters)

Mahmood Sheikh has spent more than 20 years working with college athletics in the state of Idaho - he's now the inaugural athletic director at the Treasure Valley-based College of Western Idaho. The native of Moscow, a University of Idaho graduate and a longtime Vandals employee joins Prater and Mallory in the KTIK Lithia Ford of Boise Studio to talk about the Otters, building a national junior college program from scratch and how he plans to focus on local high school student-athletes.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Johnny and Greg to share wide receiver memories during the Broncos' 15-year run in the Mountain West. Bob highlights plays made by Thomas Sperbeck and Cedrick Wilson Jr.

Former Boise State Football WR Khalil Shakir, now with the Buffalo Bills, joins Johnny and Greg to talk about his second annual Shakir Fest which is a two-day event taking place on June 5 and 6, his relationship with Spencer Danielson and talking with Boise State's wide receivers that have followed him, and how his golf game is.

Boise State Football fans got a nice surprise on Thursday with the announcement that Ashton Jeanty will be back at Albertsons Stadium on June 6, Johnny and Greg discuss the NBA and Stanley Cup Playoffs and which league has been winning the spring postseason, Bob looks back on the best WR performances in Boise State's Mountain West era, Johnny and Greg also get into the biggest football games for the PAC 12 in 2026 against power four opponents, catch up with Khalil Shakir in advance of Shakir Fest and talk about rookie NFL head coaches that have the most pressure on them.

Boise State/Pac-12 release updated schedules for the 2026 football season and it appears to be fan friendly - no Fridays and plenty of day games on Saturdays (but get used to new TV destinations), Bob pays tribute to Boise State RBs during the Mountain West era in Bronco Focus, what's up with Treasure Valley high school products Scott Matlock (Chargers) and Lan Larison (Patriots) in their NFL camps, why are Johnny and Kellen Moore no longer friends, U.S. senators hoping for drastic changes to college sports (what does Jeramiah Dickey have to say about that), are the Vegas Golden Knights the best-run franchise in sports 

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-THURSDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Johnny to share running back memories during the Broncos' 15-year run in the Mountain West. Naturally, Bob focuses on Ashton Jeanty - but Boise State's list of RBs during the Mountain West era would stack up against almost any college football program in America. THURSDAY: Boise State wide receiver memories from the MW era.

Former Boise State kicking standout and NCAA record-holder Jonah Dalmas joins the show to talk about his new UFL gig - how he got it and what's next for his professional career, former Boise State players hit the NFL practice field for OTA camps (Demarcus Lawrence an expected no-show in Seattle), Bob (Bronco Focus) shares Boise State and QB memories in the Mountain West era, how flag football is making an impact in the NFL, Olympics, NCAA Power Four programs - and at the high school level in the Treasure Valley (perspective from Optimist Youth Football president Jerron Moore)  

Jonah Dalmas (Rocky Mountain High), who hasn't been at Boise State since the 2024 Fiesta Bowl, joins Prater and Johnny to talk about his past few weeks - a kicker for the Columbus Aviators in the United Football League. He's played two games, with one more to go this Sunday (4p.m. MT on FOX). How'd the gig happen? What's next for the Boise State and NCAA record-holder? PHOTO COURTESY OF COLUMBUS/UFL