Holani is back: Boise State’s 2-QB offense will be paired with 2-RB attack vs. Wyoming

The Boise State football team is getting healthy at the right time.

The Broncos are entering a critical stretch of games that will determine their chances of playing for a Mountain West championship, beginning Saturday at home against Wyoming (3:30 p.m., FS2). That will be followed by a road trip to Fresno State, and they will end the regular season at home against undefeated Air Force.

There aren’t many easy games left on the schedule, so Boise State can take solace in the fact that it will have a full complement of running backs at its disposal.

Senior George Holani returned to practice on Sunday and is expected to play against Wyoming, Boise State coach Andy Avalos said Monday. The senior hasn’t played since the season opener at Washington.

Avalos also said the Broncos’ top 10 offensive linemen are healthy for the first time since fall camp began in early August. Interior linemen Garrett Curran, Mason Randolph and Ben Dooley are all expected to play this week.

“That allows us to get back to some of the things we worked on in fall camp, which is very exciting,” Avalos said. “Coming off the bye week, it was nice to see the guys were fresh, mentally and physically. They were flying around and communicating.”

Boise State’s coaches came into the season excited about getting Holani and sophomore running back Ashton Jeanty on the field together, but those plans went out the window after Holani’s injury.

Both have been productive, with Jeanty blossoming this season.

Holani finished last year with 1,157 rushing yards, notching the second 1,000-yard season of his career. Jeanty was named a midseason All-American by three organizations last week. He leads the Broncos with 868 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground, and he’s added 396 receiving yards. He also leads the nation with 15 total touchdowns and 604 yards after contact.

The backs can be a lethal combination, offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan said.

“Anytime you’re talking about one of your best playmakers getting back in the mix, it’s obviously exciting,” Hamdan said of Holani.

Having Holani back in the lineup should take some pressure off Jeanty, who ranks No. 4 in the country and leads the Mountain West with 151 carries in seven games. He had 156 carries all of last season.

“What you don’t want to do is have them both out there too much so you don’t have a fresh guy to put in the game,” Hamdan said. “We have to make sure they’re both in position that when they do get the ball, they are explosive.”

Having another explosive option in the backfield should be especially helpful Saturday against Wyoming’s defense, which is giving up 170.9 rushing yards a game.

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Both QBs will play again

Avalos said the Broncos will stick with their two-quarterback system this week, although he reiterated Monday that 6-foot-6 redshirt sophomore Taylen Green is the starter.

Avalos said the same thing before the Broncos’ loss to Colorado State on Oct. 14. He even went as far as to say that Green was going to be the “focal point” of the offense, but redshirt freshman Maddux Madsen ended up playing more snaps.

Avalos said the offense has worked well when switching them in certain situations.

“It has shown to be effective, especially in passing-down situations,” Avalos said. “It comes down to certain areas where each guy can help our offense be more efficient, but ultimately it’s about getting our whole offense in rhythm.”

Madsen, who converted two crucial third downs and a fourth down in the Broncos’ win over San Jose State, is completing 64% of his passes and has thrown for five touchdowns. Green is completing 53% of his passes and also has five TD tosses. He’s added 228 yards and four touchdowns rushing.

The way the Broncos used their quarterbacks looked anything but smooth two weeks ago, when both quarterbacks threw interceptions in the first half against Colorado State. Hamdan hasn’t lost faith in the system, though. He said the Broncos are converting about 20% more third downs than they were before they debuted their two-headed attack.

“We think there are parts of Taylen’s game and his explosiveness in the run game that have helped us,” Hamdan said. “And then Maddux has come in on some of those third downs and really helped us execute.”

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Bolt close to a return

Avalos said Monday that wide receiver Austin Bolt has been back on the practice field the past two weeks and could play Saturday.

Bolt, a former star at Borah High who was the 2019 Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year, hasn’t played since he suffered a broken leg in the Broncos’ season opener last year at Oregon State.

Avalos said Bolt isn’t ready to play a full game, but he could see a few snaps on offense and special teams.

“There’s a return-to-play protocol that we have to make sure we handle,” Avalos said. “We’ve obviously got to make sure he’s comfortable and squared away.”

Bolt began his college career at tight end, but the 6-3, 212-pound redshirt junior transitioned to wide receiver last season. He’s still looking for the first reception of his career.

WYOMING AT BOISE STATE

When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Albertsons Stadium

TV: Fox Sports 2 (Eric Collins, Devin Gardner)

Radio: KBOI 670 AM/93.1 FM (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender)

Records: Boise State 3-4, 2-1 MW; Wyoming 5-2, 2-1 MW

Series: Boise State leads the series 16-1, including a 20-17 win last season in Laramie.

Vegas line: Boise State by 6

Weather: High of 49, 22% chance of rain, 10 to 15 mph wind