2013 PAC-12 Know the Opponent: Boise State

Chris Peterson and his Boise State program continue to chug along going 11-2 and claiming a piece of the conference crown going 7-1. After a brief flirtation with the Big East Conference the Broncos decided the Mountain West is best for them.

Boise State Broncos head coach Chris Petersen talking with ESPN reporter Samantha Steele will face their Las Vegas Bowl opponent in Seattle to open the season on August 31. Photo Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports

Peterson’s squad only returns nine starters from a season ago with five on offense and four on defense. Letterman wise they bring back 47 with 24 on offense, 19 defense and four on special teams.

Senior quarterback Joe Southwick returns after throwing for 2,730 yards with 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions. His backup junior Grant Hedrick is also back but played little in 2012.

Sophomore Jay Ajayi is the leading returning rusher with 559 yard and four scores last year. He’ll likely split time with fellow sophomore Jack Fields who had 146 yards on just 46 carries.

Junior safety Jeremy Ioane is back after a 70 tackles with three interceptions plus two tackles for losses. Junior defensive end Demarcus Lawrence had 48 tackles while recording a team high 9.5 sacks.

Boise State defeated Washington 28-26 in the Las Vegas Bowl and will see the Huskies again on Saturday, August 31 in Seattle. Kickoff is set for 7 pm and will air on Fox Sports 1.

Broncos 2013 schedule: Aug. 29 @Washington, Sept. 7 v. UT Martin, Sept. 13 v. Air Force*, Sept 20 @Fresno State*, Sept. 28 v. Southern Miss, Oct. 12 @Utah State, Oct. 19 Nevada*, Oct. 25 @BYU, Nov. 2 @Colorado State*, Nov. 16 v. Wyoming, Nov. 23 @San Diego State, Nov. 30 v. New Mexico

* = Mountain West Conference Game

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