The 2007 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Broncos, led by second year head coach Chris Petersen, play their home games at Bronco Stadium, most famous for its blue artificial turf surface, often referred to as the "smurf-turf", and were members of the Western Athletic Conference. The Broncos finished the season 10–3, 7–1 in WAC play and failed to win the WAC for the first time since 2001. They were invited to the Hawaii Bowl, where they were defeated by East Carolina, 41–38.
Pre-season
Boise State was picked to finish second in the WAC by the media and by the coaches during the WAC media days. Hawaii was picked first in both polls. The Broncos were ranked #23 in the first Coaches poll and #24 in the AP poll. The Broncos enter the season with the nation's longest winning streak (13).
Pre-season awards
Ryan Clady- Outland Trophy Watch List, Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List, Playboy All American Team, NationalChamps.net 2nd Team All-American.
Ian Johnson- Heisman Trophy Candidate, Maxwell Award Watch List, Walter Camp Foundation Player of the Year Award Watch List, Doak Walker Award Candidate, Athlon, Street & Smith's and NationalChamps.net 3rd Team All-American.
Marty Tadman- Chuck Bednarick Award Watch List, Walter Camp Award Watch List, Sports Illustrated First Team All-American, NationalChamps.net Honorable Mention.
During the season
The 2007 season started Thursday, August 30, 2007. Boise State played 5 games on either ESPN or ESPN2. The Southern Miss game was played on a Thursday, the Nevada and New Mexico State games were played on Sundays and the Fresno State and Hawaii games were played on Fridays. The Washington game was also televised nationally via FOX Sports NET. Any game not televised nationally was broadcast locally in Boise on KTVB.
The Broncos also debuted new uniforms in the 2007 season, the most notable feature being the removal of last names on backs. The last names were put back on the uniforms for the final game of the regular season against Hawaii and remained for the Hawaii Bowl.
Schedule
Rankings
Game results
Weber State
56-7. Boise State opened its season hosting the Weber State Wildcats of Division I Football Championship Subdivision's (formerly known as I-AA) Big Sky Conference. The Broncos scored on their first seven possessions to run the score to 49-0 at halftime. Ian Johnson rushed for 129 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a 54-yard run, and quarterback Taylor Tharp went 14-19 for 184 yards and 1 touchdown in his first collegiate start. Boise State gained a total of 571 yards to Weber State's 145. The victory pushed Boise States nations best winning streak to 14.
Washington
24-10. Washington snapped the Broncos 14 game win streak. The Broncos were held to their lowest point total since losing 27-7 to Fresno State in 2005. Ian Johnson was held to 81 yards on 20 carries and Taylor Tharp went 29/47 for 281 and 3 interceptions and lost a fumble when he fell down while attempting a hand off in the loss. Washington started the game fast, jumping to a 14-0 lead. Boise State returned a kickoff for a touchdown after Washington's first score, but it was called back. Boise State never recovered.
Wyoming
24-14. Boise State ran their home winning streak to 8 and 53 of the last 55 with the 24-14 win over Wyoming. Ian Johnson had another subpar game rushing 24 times for 83 yards. Taylor Tharp went 15 of 30 for 182 and two touchdowns, one being a 52 yarder to Sophomore Jeremy Childs. The Bronco defense held the Cowboys to just 35 yards on 24 rushing attempts and collected three sacks of quarterback Karsten Sween. Kick returner Rashaun Scott was awarded the WAC special teams player of the week with two kickoffs returned for an average of 36.5 yards, one being for 52 yards in the fourth quarter. Boise State is still undefeated (11-0) against teams from the Mountain West Conference since its formation.
Southern Miss
38-16. Ian Johnson had his best game of the season thus far as he rushed for 111 yards and 3 touchdowns on 22 carries and added 80 yards on 3 receptions to earn the WAC offensive player of the week award. Taylor Tharp surpassed 300 yards passing for the first time as a starter by posting 307 yards on 19 of 27 for 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. The Broncos offense surpassed 500 yards with 506 total yards. The Broncos won their 39th consecutive regular season home game in front of a crowd of 30,159 that wore blue and orange in alternating sections in what has become known as the "Blue and Orange out."