‘Can they stop it?’ Boise State redshirt freshman receiver becoming deep-ball threat

It took redshirt freshman Eric McAlister just three games to go from his first career catch to his first career touchdown.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Azle, Texas, product found the end zone for the first time in a Boise State uniform on a 9-yard reception in the third quarter Saturday night.

The Broncos came up short in a 31-28 loss to BYU at Albertsons Stadium, but McAlister’s role continues to grow as he impresses his teammates and coaches.

It marked the third straight game McAlister has recorded at least one catch, finishing with two receptions for 33 yards, including a long of 24. That grab in the fourth quarter helped set up a touchdown run by George Holani that gave Boise State a 28-24 lead with 6:28 to play.

“We’re excited about where he can go and what his ceiling is,” Boise State coach Andy Avalos said. “We just want to keep seeing him do well.”

After his first catch against Air Force on Oct. 22 — a 44-yarder — McAlister followed with a career-best 48 receiving yards on two grabs against Colorado State. But his progress isn’t simply about making catches, Avalos said.

“It’s not just about running those routes,” Avalos said. “It’s the process and making sure that we’re continuing to grow and we’re learning more. There’s a lot that goes into the offense in terms of alignments, motions, all those different things besides just the route running, and he’s growing at that stuff and being able to handle the full plan.”

Teammates say McAlister is already developing a reputation as a down-field threat, and opponents are starting to take notice, too.

“We know he’s a deep-ball threat, every team knows, and it’s just a matter of, can they stop it?” Boise State receiver Latrell Caples said. “They can’t yet, so we’re going to keep trying it and we’re going to keep throwing it to him, because he’s reliable.”

Broncos lose Washington early

Boise State had to play the majority of Saturday’s game without starting edge Demitri Washington.

The 6-3, 260-pound redshirt senior was injured on the opening play of the game and never returned. He was replaced by redshirt sophomore Gabe Hunter, who finished with six tackles, including one for loss.

Linebacker Ezekiel Noa also was injured on the game’s first play but was able to return. While Noa was out, he was spelled by redshirt freshman Ty Tanner — a Rocky Mountain High graduate — who contributed two tackles.

“From my initial evaluation, being out there in the game, not dissecting the film, Gabe did a good job,” Avalos said. “That’s big time for him to be able to step up. Ty Tanner, jumping in there and holding his own and allowing us to keep battling. I’m proud of those guys for that.”

Dooley debuts

Boise State right guard Ben Dooley made his season debut against the Cougars.

The redshirt junior had not played this season because of what Avalos described as an “unfortunate infection.” Redshirt freshman Mason Randolph had been starting in Dooley’s place.

“Much like everybody else, I’m just excited to see him back out there,” Avalos said. “... This was the first week where he could get in the game and play a few snaps, and so we’ll just continue to get him in shape as we move forward. It’s awesome to see him back out there.”

Three miss game with injuries

Boise State was without one starting guard on the offensive line Saturday against BYU.

Left guard Garrett Curran was injured in the first quarter of last week’s 49-10 win over Colorado State. He did not return to the game or practice this week.

Texas Tech transfer Will Farrar, who had been starting at center, moved to left guard, and Kekaniokoa Holomalia-Gonzalez returned to the starting lineup at center.

Nose tackle Jackson Cravens and kicker Will Ferrin missed their second game in a row with undisclosed injuries.

Colledge nominated for Salute to Service Award

Former Boise State football player Daryn Colledge has been nominated by the Green Bay Packers for the 12th annual NFL Salute to Service Award.

The award recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni with demonstrable commitment to honoring and supporting military and veteran communities.

Colledge was drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft and spent five seasons with the team, including a victory in Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011. He started at left guard, playing in all 80 possible regular season games, and went on to play three seasons in Arizona (2011-13) and one in Miami (2014).

After retiring from the NFL in 2015, Colledge enlisted in the Idaho National Guard in 2016 as a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter repairer.

“I always wanted to come back and serve, and I had a great opportunity to do that,” Colledge said in a news release. “It was like being back in a locker room, just being with a group of people who had the same goal as you and were striving for the same outcome. ... I found that team and that brotherhood again in the military that I had been missing. Different goals and consequences, but a team nonetheless.”

All 32 NFL teams nominated an individual, and finalists are scheduled to be announced in January. The winner of the award will be honored with a $25,000 donation to a military or veterans charity of their choosing, as well as a $25,000 donation in their name to official aid societies representing all U.S. military branches.

Former BSU OC signs extension

Former Boise State offensive coordinator Eliah Drinkwitz recently signed a contract extension with the University of Missouri.

The school’s Board of Curators voted 7-0 to approve a contract extension for Drinkwitz through the 2027 season. Drinkwitz originally signed an agreement through the 2025 season.

Mizzou has won two straight games but has a losing record. The Tigers are 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the SEC.

Quick hits

The Broncos wore black jerseys, black pants and black helmets. ... Team captains Scott Matlock and John Ojukwu were joined by wide receiver Davis Koetter and cornerback Caleb Biggers as game captains. ... Boise State won the coin toss and elected to defer. ... Boise State was led onto the field by safety Alexander Teubner, who carried the Dan Paul Hammer. ... Defensive tackle Divine Obichere carried the American flag and running back Elelyon Noa carried the Bleed Blue flag. ... The announced attendance was 36,461. ... The Broncos did not give up a sack against BYU.