With bowl destination up in the air, Shakir commits to one more game with Boise State

Rachel Roberts, Ron Counts
·7 min read

Bad news: For the first time since 1998, the Boise State football team has finished the regular season with five losses.

Good news: The Broncos still have a bowl game on the horizon. But exactly where the Broncos are headed remains a mystery following a 27-16 loss to No. 22 San Diego State on Friday at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Bowl matchups will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 5, after conference championship games.

While many national prognosticators have placed Boise State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on its home turf, the Broncos aren’t so sure they’ll be bowling in Boise.

“There are opportunities (for a road trip),” Boise State coach Andy Avalos said. “Our AD has been in conversations the last couple weeks with people from various bowl games on the West Coast. There’s possibilities within the conference to go to some of the bowl games in different areas, outside of the bowl game the winner of the conference championship gets to go to here in L.A. Here in the next couple days, a lot of that stuff gets to sorting itself out.”

Aside from the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl, which is reserved for the league champion — either San Diego State or Utah State — here are the initial bowl options available for Mountain West teams:

  • Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (vs. MAC), Dec. 21

  • New Mexico Bowl (vs. Conference USA), Dec. 18

  • Offerpad Arizona Bowl (vs. MAC), Dec. 31

  • SoFi Hawaii Bowl (vs. American Athletic), Dec. 24

The Mountain West also has an affiliation to fill in, if needed, in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl (Big Ten or Big 12, Dec. 28), and Group of Five schools can fill slots in the Cure Bowl (Group of Five or Army, Dec. 17), RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl (Group of Five or Army, Dec. 18), SERVPRO First Responder Bowl (Group of Five or Army, Dec. 28) and Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl (Group of Five or Army, Dec. 21).

The highest-ranked champion from the AAC, C-USA, MAC, Mountain West or Sun Belt will play in a New Year’s Six bowl. That distinction will belong to No. 4 Cincinnati of the AAC, even if it loses its conference championship game. San Diego State is No. 21 in the College Football Playoff rankings.

Regardless of which bowl the Broncos are headed to, senior receiver Khalil Shakir says he plans to be there. Some NFL-bound seniors choose to skip bowl games in favor of draft preparation and avoiding potential injury.

“My mentality has never been that way,” Shakir said. “I’m not sure what bowl game we’re gonna play in, but right now I am set on playing.”

The Mountain West has six guaranteed bowl slots through the end of the 2025-26 season.

“(Athletic Director) Jeramiah (Dickey) has been so diligent about working, and these guys deserve an unbelievable experience,” Avalos said. “Wherever that is, whoever we’re playing against, we’re going to work on focusing on our last opportunity here together.”

The Broncos will enter their bowl game with a 7-5 record, their worst regular-season mark since they were 6-5 in 1998, when they were a member of the Big West. The 2013 team finished with five losses, at 8-5, but was 8-4 in the regular season and then lost the Hawaii Bowl to Oregon State.

Broncos lose two LBs to injury

Boise State linebackers Riley Whimpey and D.J. Schramm each exited Friday’s game with injuries.

Schramm, who is also a key player on special teams, was seen on the CBS broadcast with a boot on his left foot.

Whimpey went down on San Diego State’s first drive of the third quarter and never returned. He was replaced by Rocky Mountain High graduate Ty Tanner.

“We’ve got to continue to build the depth so young men can step up and play and fulfill a role for the team when the time comes,” Avalos said. “As we go through this, we’ll continue to build the confidence and develop guys so that when their opportunity comes, they can jump in there.”

Whimpey finished the game with four tackles, including one tackle for loss, and Schramm had two tackles.

Quarterbacks take a beating

Hank Bachmeier had already absorbed the most hits of any quarterback in the country this season, according to CBS, going into Friday’s game against 22nd-ranked San Diego State.

The Aztecs didn’t cut Bachmeier any slack. Although he was officially sacked three times, an already banged up Bachmeier found himself on the ground quite a bit.

“Through the course of the season, Hank’s been battling,” Avalos said. “I’m not going to go into all the details, but he’s wearing a knee brace for a reason. He was out there battling all day, running, trying to make plays, scrambling.”

Avalos chose to put in backup Jack Sears for the Broncos’ final two drives of the fourth quarter, and Sears found the Aztecs’ pursuit just as taxing. Sears was sacked for a 9-yard loss on his very first play, and he was intercepted on his final pass attempt of the game.

The two Boise State quarterbacks were sacked a combined four times for 27 yards in losses, and intercepted three times.

San Diego State nose tackle Jonah Tavai was a menace, collecting 3.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two QB hurries.

Two Broncos hit career milestones

▪ Sophomore kicker Jonah Dalmas set a single-season program record with his 22-yard field goal in the second quarter. It was his 26th field goal of the season, surpassing the previous record of 25 set by Tyler Rausa in 2015. He needs three more to tie the Mountain West single-season record of 29 by New Mexico’s John Sullivan in 2007. Dalmas has made 18 straight field-goal attempts, which is the longest active streak in the nation.

In an odd twist, he missed an extra point on Friday, clanging the kick off the uprights after hooking it.

▪ Redshirt senior tight end Kurt Rafdal hauled in his first career touchdown catch, grabbing a 20-yarder for the Broncos’ first score of the game with 6:08 left in the first quarter. Rafdal joined Boise State this season after three years at Nebraska.

Boise State down two starters

Sixth-year senior Jake Stetz didn’t make the trip to Carson, California, after leaving the Broncos’ win over New Mexico in the second quarter last weekend with a leg injury.

Avalos said after the game that Stetz was out for the season.

Donte Harrington started in place of Stetz at center, and was later replaced by Will Farrar, who had missed the past four games with an undisclosed injury.

Wide receiver Octavius Evans and tight end Tyler Eiguren also were out for undisclosed reasons. But receiver Stefan Cobbs was back in uniform for the Broncos after missing the past two games with an injury.

Boise State didn’t have any players out because of COVID-19 protocols, a spokesperson for the program confirmed before the game.

Quick hits

Team captains Shakir and Kekaula Kaniho were joined by linebacker Ezekiel Noa and running back George Holani as game captains. ... San Diego State won the coin toss and deferred. ... Boise State was led onto the field by Kekaula Kaniho, who carried the Dan Paul Hammer. ... Wide receiver Billy Bowens carried the American flag and edge Demitri Washington carried the Bleed Blue flag. ... Redshirt freshman Kaonohi Kaniho started at cornerback instead of Tyric LeBeauf. Kaniho has now started six straight games. ... Bachmeier moved up on Boise State’s single-season lists for attempts (ninth, 401) and completions (10th, 252). He also raised his career totals to 485 completions (seventh), 6,151 yards total offense (eighth), and 35 touchdown passes (ninth). ... Shakir moved into fourth all-time at Boise State with 2,882 yards receiving and fifth with 208 receptions. He also is tied for ninth with 20 scoring grabs. On the single-season list, Shakir is tied for seventh for receptions at 77 and his 1,117 yards receiving ranks ninth. ... San Diego State’s Segun Olubi, who played the 2017 season at College of Idaho, tied for the team lead with six total tackles.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • UPDATE 1-Israel gears up for Rafah civilian evacuation ahead of promised assault

    Israel has procured tens of thousands of tents for Palestinian civilians it intends to evacuate from Rafah in the coming weeks ahead a promised assault on the city it sees as the last bastion of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Israeli sources said on Wednesday. Abutting the Egyptian border, Rafah's population has been swollen by more than a million Palestinians who fled the half-year-old Israeli offensive through the rest of Gaza. After weeks of talks with the United States about civilian safeguards, Israel's Defence Ministry has bought 40,000 tents, each with the capacity for 10 to 12 people, for Palestinians relocated from Rafah, Israeli government sources said.

  • Dow Jones Futures: Tesla Soars As Elon Musk Touts 'Affordable' EV, Robotaxi

    The rally attempt is gaining steam. Tesla soared as Elon Musk said "affordable" EVs will come in 2025 and touted robotaxis.

  • How microplastics can impact health, as plastic wet wipes to be banned in UK

    Microplastics are everywhere - including in our bodies.

  • When will Despicable Me 4 be released?

    Will Ferrell joins Steve Carrell as Gru and the Minions return to screens in Despicable Me 4. Here’s everything we know about it so far.

  • What is Terrorgram? Extremist group chat the UK is trying to ban

    The UK has taken steps to proscribe Terrorgram

  • First Girder Placed on World's Largest Wildlife Crossing

    The first girder was lowered into place on the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills, California, on Wednesday, April 17, the Save LA Cougars campaign said.The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing will be “the largest of its kind in the world, a first in California, and a global model for urban wildlife conservation”, according to the campaign.The crossing will need 82 girders installed to reach across ten lanes of the 101 Freeway.When finished, the crossing will serve mountain lions and other wildlife hemmed in by the freeway’s path through their habitat.“It means a better future for wildlife,” Beth Pratt, the regional executive director of the National Wildlife Federation, told local media.“We don’t want more mountain lions or wildlife to get hit by cars. But also, the mountain lions south of the 101 right here, they’re inbreeding themselves out of existence. So, this is going to ensure a future for them in that they’ll get dates outside their family,” she added. Credit: Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing via Storyful

  • China blasts US military aid to Taiwan, saying the island is entering a 'dangerous situation'

    China on Wednesday blasted the latest package of U.S. military assistance to Taiwan on Wednesday, saying that such funding was pushing the self-governing island republic into a “dangerous situation.” The U.S. Senate late Tuesday passed $95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars. The package included $8 billion for Taiwan, meant to counter the threat of invasion by China, which claims the entire island as its own territory and has threatened to take it by force if necessary.

  • Soldier thrown from horse as it charges down Buckingham Palace Road

    A soldier has been injured after a spooked horse hit a number of vehicles while charging through central London.

  • Caitlin Cronenberg isn't spooked by her dad's horror legacy with debut film 'Humane'

    TORONTO — Her surname is synonymous with cinematic nightmares, but Caitlin Cronenberg says she doesn’t feel pressure to live up to her famous father's legacy as she steps into the director’s chair. The Toronto native’s debut feature film “Humane” opens Friday, and she’s well aware it will invite comparisons to the darker work of Canadian horror pioneer David Cronenberg, whose more grotesque visions include "Rabid," "The Fly" and "Dead Ringers." “I'm sure there are certain expectations that peopl

  • Frank Field: Former Labour minister and crossbench peer dies aged 81

    Lord Field of Birkenhead died in a London care home on Tuesday night following a ‘long battle with cancer’

  • Eurovision Song Contest host Sweden braces for anti-Israel protests

    Sweden said it plans to host a dazzling Eurovision Song Contest, watched by 200 million people worldwide, but visitors face heightened security amid planned protests over Israel's participation and a new geo-political backdrop since Sweden joined NATO. The contest, the world's biggest of its kind, takes place in Malmo from 7-11 May and is expected to draw 100,000 visitors to Sweden's third-largest city which has a large Muslim population. Organisers plan a special tribute to Swedish pop group ABBA, who won Eurovision 50 years ago this year.

  • What we know about the St George's Day marches which turned violent

    The Met Police said six people were arrested after disorder broke out at St George’s Day marches in London.

  • Fallout 5 release date: What we know about the highly anticipated game

    The apocalypse recently came to Amazon Prime Video, but when will we get a new Fallout game?

  • Why Britain’s packed prisons could ease the worklessness crisis

    At the HM Prison Highpoint in rural Suffolk a group of inmates are busy fixing and assembling dummy train tracks in the rain.

  • David Harewood says blackface is 'grotesque distortion of race'

    The star puts out a statement after saying actors "should be able to do anything" including blackface.

  • Cincinnati Reds host the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday

    Philadelphia Phillies (15-9, second in the NL East) vs. Cincinnati Reds (13-10, third in the NL Central)Cincinnati; Wednesday, 6:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Spencer Turnbull (2-0, 1.23 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 22 strikeouts); Reds: Nick Lodolo (2-0, 0.75 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 16 strikeouts)BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Reds -114, Phillies -105; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Reds square off against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.Cincinnati is 8-6 at home and 13-10 overall. T

  • Guardians try to keep home win streak going, host the Red Sox

    Boston Red Sox (13-11, third in the AL East) vs. Cleveland Guardians (17-6, first in the AL Central)Cleveland; Wednesday, 6:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Red Sox: Cooper Criswell (0-1, 4.26 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, four strikeouts); Guardians: Carlos Carrasco (1-1, 3.44 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 16 strikeouts)BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Guardians -141, Red Sox +119; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Cleveland Guardians, on a five-game home winning streak, host the Boston Red Sox.Cleveland has a 17-6 record overall

  • Pirates face the Brewers leading series 2-0

    Milwaukee Brewers (14-8, first in the NL Central) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (13-11, fourth in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Wednesday, 6:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Bryse Wilson (2-0, 3.29 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 12 strikeouts); Pirates: Josh Fleming (1-0, 1.74 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, seven strikeouts)BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Pirates -115, Brewers -105; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates bring a 2-0 lead into the next game of the series against the Milwaukee Brewers.Pittsburgh is 13-11

  • Kansas City Royals host the Toronto Blue Jays Wednesday

    Toronto Blue Jays (13-11, fourth in the AL East) vs. Kansas City Royals (14-10, third in the AL Central)Kansas City, Missouri; Wednesday, 7:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Blue Jays: Yariel Rodriguez (0-0, 2.35 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 13 strikeouts); Royals: Alec Marsh (3-0, 3.22 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 16 strikeouts)BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Blue Jays -119, Royals +100; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Kansas City Royals host the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday.Kansas City is 14-10 overall and 10-5 at home. Th

  • Angels and Orioles meet to determine series winner

    Baltimore Orioles (15-8, second in the AL East) vs. Los Angeles Angels (10-14, third in the AL West)Anaheim, California; Wednesday, 4:07 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Orioles: Dean Kremer (0-2, 4.91 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 17 strikeouts); Angels: Tyler Anderson (2-2, 1.42 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 14 strikeouts)BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Orioles -128, Angels +108; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore Orioles meet on Wednesday with the three-game series tied 1-1.Los Angeles has a 3-5 re