Boise State is about to get a significant lift at wide receiver, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the young guys who stepped up last time are headed to the sideline.
Freshman Rasean Jones and junior Cam Bates were taken off the Broncos’ availability report on Wednesday, clearing the way for their return at Washington State after both missed Boise State’s 38-31 win over Fresno State. Fifth-year receiver Darren Morris also came off the report, while sixth-year receiver Ben Ford is listed as questionable after leaving the Fresno State game at halftime with an injury. Senior left guard Carson Rasmussen remains out for a third straight game.
Jones had been sidelined because of a concussion, and wide receivers coach Alvis Whitted said Thursday, “Rasean was out that game because of the concussion. He just needed to get some sleep, some rest, and get his head right,” Boise State wide receivers coach Alvis Whitted said Thursday.
On Bates, Whitted pointed to a positive week of work. “Cam Bates, I think it was very beneficial for him because he actually had a practice (this week) that gave a lot of us as coaches confidence to know that he can run, he can plant, he can put pressure on that knee, and he feels good,” Whitted continued.
Even with those two back in the mix, Boise State got encouraging production from its younger receivers against Fresno State. Sophomores Quinton Brown and Qumonte Williams Jr. each finished with two catches, and freshman Terrious Favors also had two receptions while scoring the first touchdown of his college career.
Jones remains Boise State’s top receiver by the numbers, with 23 catches for 359 yards. Bates has had a quieter first half of the season, with just eight catches. Still, the Broncos don’t sound eager to shut the door on the younger players who helped in the last game.
“We go through the week, we watch the tape, and we want to keep continuing to give those guys a role and have the growth continue for them,” Whitted said. “So we’ll personnel things so that you’ll see AJ (Jones) on the field, you’ll see Qumonte on the field, you’ll see Romeo (Carter) on the field, and it’ll be a meaningful rep for them.”
Whitted didn’t single out Favors in that comment, but the four-star recruit is also expected to have his role grow in the weeks ahead.
Head coach Spencer Danielson said the competition in the receiver room has reached a new level.
“We’ve got a lot of receivers that are talented, have done a great job,” Danielson said. “And so our staff’s gone through it to see OK, who’s going to be a part of these certain situations, and we’ve got to find a way to get them involved.”
Boise State visits Washington State on Saturday at 4 p.m. Mountain time at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington.
The game will air on USA Sports, with Bob Behler and Michael Callahan on the radio call. Boise State is a 13.5-point favorite.
The forecast calls for a high of 56, a low of 34, humidity at 58%, partly cloudy skies and a 10% chance of rain.
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