Good morning, Bronco Nation! To some, the life of a college athlete may seem ideal. Student-athletes can continue playing the sport they love while receiving a scholarship that helps them pursue their degree. However, facing pressure to win, balancing athletics and academics, missing time to socialize, being hundreds of miles from home, and overcoming injury setbacks are some of the various factors that take a toll on a student-athlete’s mental health.

📚️ B:1 Feature: Mental Health Matters: The Impact of BroncoBOLD

What else is brewing in today’s edition, Bronco Nation?

🏈 Hassanein named to Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award watchlist
⚽️ Soccer recap
🔷 And much, much more!

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📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Watch Out. Boise State senior Ahmed Hassanein has been named to the watch list for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year. The award is presented annually to the FBS college football player who demonstrates a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field. A team captain, Hassanein is tied for the team lead with two sacks, leading a Boise State unit that is tied for first in the FBS with four sacks per game. In addition to his athletic and academic achievements, Hassanein is a major contributor to the Boise community and serves on the leadership committee for BroncoBOLD, a mental health initiative that is driven by student-athletes.

🔼 Starting Strong. Boise State's Carly Cross scored in the 55th minute to lift the Broncos to a 1-0 victory over host Fresno State in the Mountain West women's soccer opener. Goalkeeper Genevieve Crenshaw came well off her line to play a ball ahead to Cross. The senior took a touch, sped past a Bulldog defender, and beat the goalkeeper for her fifth goal of the season. Boise State is now 8-0-2 in its last 10 conference openers and 8-2-0 this season.

🎙️ Listen to the latest episode of From The Spot
🎥 Check out the highlights from the Broncos’ win

🔼 Hard-fought Battle. Boise State volleyball lost a heartbreaker Thursday night in Fresno, Calif., where they fell victim to a Fresno State rally falling in five sets. Leading two sets to none, the Broncos hit a cold spell midway through the third and could not shake it. In the meantime, the Bulldogs came to life and surged past the Blue and Orange, claiming three straight sets to win the match. Kiersten Van Kirk recorded a career and team-high 13 kills while hitting .286 with three digs, one block and a career-high 13.5 points.

🔼 Bronco Hospitality. Boise State women’s tennis will host the seventh annual Barb Chandler Classic at the Appleton Tennis Center. The Broncos have won the top flight the past two years and posted a 16-7 singles record and 7-5 doubles record at the tournament in 2023. Four Broncos finished the season opener with a winning record in singles. Freshman Maya Dutta claimed the top spot in the blue draw and senior Bhakti Shah took runner-up in the orange draw.

🔼 Officially Licensed Candy. A new candy bar is now available in participating retail stores throughout the Treasure Valley and online through a collaboration between Boise State University and the Idaho Candy Company with proceeds benefiting the university. Bronco Bites are a delicious candy that starts with creamy caramel deposited on top of fresh dry roasted peanuts, coated with premium milk chocolate and topped with blue, orange, and white candies.

🍬 Purchase Bronco Bites today!

🔼 Mental Health Matters. Boise State Athletics and BroncoBOLD, a student-athlete-led mental health initiative, has announced designated games/competitions for fall sports programs to share the importance of mental health to increase awareness of mental health resources available to the community, promote help-seeking behavior, and foster a culture of care.

📚️ Read more about the initiative and which designated events BroncoBOLD will promote mental health

🤔 BLUE TURF TRIVIA

Ground Attack. Today’s trivia question…where does Boise State football’s rushing offense rank in terms of yards per game in the nation?

Think you got it? Scroll to the bottom and find out!

📱 FROM THE AD’S DESK

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🗓 THE WEEK AHEAD

(All times are MT)

Friday, September 27
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ ITA All-American Championships in Cary, N.C. | Live Stream
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ Barb Chandler Classic in Boise, Idaho | Live Stream
🎾 Men’s Tennis @ ITA Bedford Cup in the Mountains in USAFA, Colo.

Saturday, September 28
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ ITA All-American Championships in Cary, N.C. | Live Stream
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ Barb Chandler Classic in Boise, Idaho | Live Stream
🎾 Men’s Tennis @ ITA Bedford Cup in the Mountains in USAFA, Colo.
🏐 Volleyball vs. San Jose State @ 3 p.m. in San Jose, Calif. | MWN | Live Stats
🏈 Football vs. Washington State @ 8 p.m. in Boise, Idaho | Tickets | FS1 | Live Stats

Sunday, September 29
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ ITA All-American Championships in Cary, N.C. | Live Stream
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ Barb Chandler Classic in Boise, Idaho | Live Stream
🎾 Men’s Tennis @ ITA Bedford Cup in the Mountains in USAFA, Colo.
⚽️ Soccer vs. San Jose State @ 1 p.m. in San Jose, Calif. | MWN | Live Stats

Monday, September 30
⛳️ Men’s Golf @ Mark Simpson Colorado Invitational in Boulder, Colo.

Tuesday, October 1
⛳️ Men’s Golf @ Mark Simpson Colorado Invitational in Boulder, Colo.

Wednesday, October 2
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ Mountain West Fall Qualifier in Las Vegas, Nev.
🎾 Men’s Tennis @ MW Individual Championships in Las Vegas, Nev.

Thursday, October 3
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ Mountain West Fall Qualifier in Las Vegas, Nev.
🎾 Men’s Tennis @ MW Individual Championships in Las Vegas, Nev.
🏐 Volleyball vs. Air Force @ 6 p.m. in Boise, Idaho | Tickets | MWN | Live Stats
⚽️ Soccer vs. New Mexico @ 7 p.m. in Boise, Idaho | Tickets | MWN | Live Stats

🔷Click here to view the entire Boise State Athletics Calendar

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Third!

Boise State football’s offense is averaging 311.3 yards per game with a running back room that features Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty and freshmen Sire Gaines and Dylan Riley.

🔷 Have a great weekend, Bronco Nation!