BSU Head Coach Chris Petersen Holds First Fall Camp Press Conference

Boise State head football coach Chris Petersen held his fall camp press conference Wednesday, fielding questions from the reporters assembled. The subjects were wide ranging, and Petersen was candid on a number of subjects.

The highlights of the press conference from Broncosports.com include the role of freshman, health of some players, and the way in which the offense may change for the new quarterback, whoever that may be.

Four quarterbacks are vying for the starting position and Petersen was asked if the offense would change to showcase the different abilities that the new QB will bring (as in more mobility) to the field.

"Yes, it will," Petersen said. "We always play to our player's strengths. It may feel a lot different to us, but it may not look different to other people out there."

When asked about the scrambling that has been observed in fall camp and whether it was intentional or not, Petersen smiled and said some was intentional and some was pressure. He added that "if they get across the line of scrimmage that will probably be a decent scramble."

As freshmen have been stepping up, Petersen noted that he believed a freshman would factor into the running game. He did, however, also say that sixth-year senior D.J. Harper was still the first-string tailback. "D.J has made so many good plays, breaking tackles…we've seen that over and over."

"The only hope that I have right now is that we could redshirt every single freshman, but that's not going to happen," Petersen said.

One thing that certainly will take place, however, is the Broncos' opening game against Michigan State University on August 31. "We've looked at them," said Petersen, a two-time winner of the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award in 2006 and '09. "But right now we just have a problem getting lined up right. Until we do that, we won't worry about who we are playing.

"Everyone wants to talk about the quarterback, but I think the No.-1 thing is the defense. If you got some corners and some guys that can rush the passer, you've got something going. We've got the pieces. I like how all these new young DBs compete."

With redshirt freshman Jake Van Ginkel not in fall camp—there was room for 105 Broncos, but he didn't make the cut—inevitably, questions surrounding the kicking game were asked. "If we can't make field goals, we are going to go for it," said Petersen, quite candidly. "Nothing has changed there."

When asked if he thought kicker (read that as, primarily, the punter) Trevor Harmon would have his role expanded, Petersen said Harmon "has as strong a leg as we have had around here. But, as coaches, we don't want to load him up too much, or ask him to do too much."