Good Morning, Bronco Nation! Boise State running back Sire Gaines was named to the Comeback Player of the Year Watch List. Since 2018, the award has recognized college football student-athletes for overcoming injury, illness, or other circumstances.

As a true freshman, Gaines appeared in three games, totaling 156 yards and one touchdown on 20 rushes. He added three receptions for 44 yards and one touchdown before suffering a season-ending injury against Portland State. A native of Perris, California, Gaines is one of two freshmen on the 2025 Doak Walker Award Watch List and was named Preseason All-MW First Team by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.

What else is mixed into today’s piping hot edition of the Good Morning, Bronco Nation Brew? Scroll down to find out!

🗣 Introducing What’s Next 2.0
🏈 Maddux Madsen On Golden Arm Award Watch List
🤸🏽‍♀️ Kailin Downs Extends Contract
🔷 And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Maddog Mania Ensues. Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen was selected to his fifth national watch list, earning a spot on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List. The award is presented annually to the top senior or upperclassman quarterback who is on track to graduate with their class.

Madsen was named Preseason MW Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for a conference-high 3,018 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. He had nine games last season with zero interceptions on 25+ attempts, the most in the FBS. The American Fork HS product added five touchdowns and 221 yards on the ground. Madsen has a 13-2 career record as Boise State's starter.

🔼 The Bronco Evolution. Boise State Athletics released What's Next 2.0, an updated strategic initiative to advance the vision of Boise State Athletics further.

What's Next 2.0 expands on the original framework with a renewed focus on deeper engagement, broader impact and measurable results. The four areas of focus remain the same with one change: student-athlete experience has transitioned to Bronco Experience to encompass student-athletes, personnel and alumni.

“It's always What's Next. And we are Bar Raisers. We will continue to be prepared for the continuing changes in college athletics, from revenue sharing, the student-athlete experience, and whatever else we face as we maintain Boise State as a national brand." - Jeramiah Dickey, Director of Athletics

🔼 So Down For This. Boise State women's golf head coach Kailin Downs signed a two-year contract extension, director of athletics Jeramiah Dickey announced. Downs, entering her fifth season at the helm, will remain with the program through the 2028 season.

"I'm incredibly excited to continue leading this program as we keep raising the bar and building something special for our student-athletes, fans and community," Downs said.

Downs has elevated the women's golf team since she arrived in 2021. Eight of the program's top-10 low tournament scores have been under Downs' leadership.

🔼 Let’s Play Two. The Boise State soccer team will travel to Southern Utah (August 21, 4 p.m.) and Utah Tech (August 24, 10 a.m.) this week to battle two Western Athletic Conference foes.

The Broncos are 7-0-1 against Southern Utah since 2002 and 2-0 all-time vs Utah Tech.

In the squad’s opener, Kenzie MacMillan scored a goal in her first appearance since 2023 in a 1-1 draw at Idaho State. 

Boise State looks to defend the MW regular season title. In 2024, the Broncos posted a conference record of 8-1-2, while winning 10 matches at home overall.

🔼 Not-So-Stuck in the Middle With You. As the Boise State volleyball team heads toward the season opener on Aug. 29 in Orem, Utah, we are previewing each position on the court in a four-part series. Today, we look at the middle blocker position, which has five Broncos working for starting roles when the season begins. This group has three returners from 2024 and two freshmen.

The middle blockers are responsible for orchestrating and organizing the blockers in the front row. Communication is essential with the right and left outside hitters along the front line. The middle blockers need to relay to their teammates what the opponents are doing, and be available to hit for a high percentage offensively when on the attack.

🏐 : GO HERE FOR MORE

📱 FROM THE A.D.

🤔 BLUE TURF TRIVIA

Quite an ARMy. Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen is the fourth player in program history to earn a spot on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, joining Kellen Moore (2011), Joe Southwick (2013) and what Bronco from 2018? 

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🗓 LOOKING AHEAD

*All times in MT unless otherwise listed

Thursday, Aug. 21
⚽️ Women’s Soccer @ Southern Utah (Cedar City, Utah) @ 4 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 24
⚽️ Women’s Soccer @ Utah Tech (St. George, Utah) @ 10 a.m.

Thursday, Aug. 28
🏈 Football Opener @ South Florida (Tampa, Florida) @ 3:30 p.m. TV: ESPN Radio: Bronco Radio Network | WEAR BLUE
⚽️ Women’s Soccer Home Opener vs. Montana @ 7 p.m. | Watch | Tickets

Friday, Aug. 29
🏐 Women’s Volleyball vs. Navy (Orem, Utah) @ 10 a.m.
🏐 Women’s Volleyball vs. Montana (Orem, Utah) @ 5 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 30
🏐 Women’s Volleyball @ Utah Valley (Orem, Utah) @ 3 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 5
🏈 Football Home Opener vs. Eastern Washington @ 7 p.m. TV: FS1 Radio: Bronco Radio Network | ORANGE 🍊 BLUE STRIPEOUT

🔷 Go here to view the entire Boise State Athletics Calendar

ℹ️ TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Brett Rypien!

Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen is the fourth player in program history to earn a spot on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, joining Kellen Moore (2011), Joe Southwick (2013) and Brett Rypien (2018).

🔷 Happy Wednesday, Bronco Nation!