UGA alum Bob Behler is calling Boise State over the Bulldogs
Because the voice of the Boise State Broncos happens to be a UGA graduate, people assume Bob Behler must be torn about how he wants Saturday’s Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome to turn out.
Think again.
Behler
“There’s no question about it, I want Boise State to win,” Behler said Sunday. “That’s my team; it’s where I live; I know those kids. I don’t know Mark Richt. He seems like a nice guy. But I’m friends with Chris Petersen. I’m wearing blue and orange to the stadium and I think Boise State is going to win the game.”
So let’s just go ahead and get that out of the way.
While extremely proud of his broadcast journalism degree from UGA’s Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and very grateful for his two productive years in Athens, Behler has put in a lot of miles at a lot of places since 1985. Most recently that has been Boise, Idaho, where he came to succeed Paul J. Schneider as the play-by-play voice in 2008.
You could say Behler’s timing is pretty good. He happened to catch the Broncos during the takeoff of what has continued to be a pretty awesome flight above the college football landscape.
“Thirty-eight and two since I’ve been here,” Behler spouts proudly. “Of course, [quarterback] Kellen Moore is 38-2 during that time, too, so that might have something to do with it.”
Behler didn’t know exactly what he was going to be in for when he accepted the Broncos’ gig. He’d spent 22 years calling I-AA games at Bucknell and UMass and, frankly, was just looking to call some Division I football.
In fact, he actually didn’t set out seeking Boise State. He applied for the play-by-play job at Virginia and the search firm handling that opening also happened to be involved with the Broncos. They asked Behler if he’d consider them, too.
“I said ’sure, why not,’” Behler recalled with a laugh. “You know which job I didn’t get.”
He got the better job. At this particular point Boise State is one of the hottest college football properties in the country and Behler has been along for every minute of the ride.
“I knew I was getting a team that had won a Fiesta Bowl [in 2007],” Behler said. “But did I think we’d be a Top 10 team every year? Probably not.”
So Behler was there when the Broncos won a second Fiesta Bowl in 2010 to cap off a 14-0 2009 season. He was behind the mic when they knocked off Oregon in 2008 and ‘09. And he was there last year in Washington, D.C., when everybody and their brother was assuring us that Boise couldn’t get it done against a Virginia Tech team which was clearly too big and physical and had more tradition and whose fans were going to make up 80-plus percent of spectators in a pro football venue.
Sound familiar?
“I think this will be a great game, just like that one was,” Behler said, referring to Boise’s 33-30 win over the Hokies at FedEx Field. “I give us the edge with Kellen Moore at quarterback and our defense is very, very good. Led the nation in sacks last year. I also think our situation at running back is better. I think Georgia gets a big edge in the kicking game. Not sure about the lines.”
I asked Bob how the Bulldogs were being viewed out in Idaho.
“People think Georgia is a very talented and they know it’s going to be tough to play somebody from the SEC,” he said. “They’re concerned with their size and athleticism. All the same things they were concerned about with Virginia Tech.”
Behler was thrilled when he first learned his two favorite schools were hooking up. While his roots aren’t deep in the Georgia red clay of Athens, he credits the school for getting him where he is today.
A native of Stockton, Calif., Behler enrolled at UGA in 1983 because he wanted to “go someplace different” and because his high school journalism teacher new somebody on the UGA journalism faculty. Behler had called his high school’s games on radio and stayed behind the mic for two years of junior college.
At Georgia he was introduced to sports information director Claude Felton, who said he could work for him and call women’s basketball and baseball.
“Claude always impressed me in that he let his students do things that were important,” Behler said. “He was always around to help but he gave you real responsibility and let you get in there and do it.”
From Athens, Behler got a job broadcasting games for the Chattanooga Lookouts. Then he went north and worked for Bucknell for 13 years, then nine at UMass. Just about the time he felt like true Easterner, he was whisked back west.
“It’s different,” he said. “The town reminds me a little of Northern California. We’re in a valley and it’s not as rural as you might think. It’s a city of 500,000 people. But it gets pretty sparse a few miles out of town. You can’t just get in your car and drive to a lot of places.”
No need to leave. The Broncos are the biggest thing around. Behler is looking forward to watching Moore get the eight wins he needs to become the winningest college quarterback ever. And he’ll like it even more if the first victory comes against the old alma mater.
“Sometimes you get lucky and I certainly did,” he said being a Bronco.
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397 comments Add your comment
Boise in ATL
August 29th, 2011
2:37 pm
Some decent posts – some crazy ones as well. Love football in the South!
guys – I never said it would be an easy game – just rooting for my team – and realize that we perform well in big games.
To address some criticisms about Boise State Football:
1. Weak schedule – not our fault – we have left our league behind and trying to upgrade. Thanks to the Oregon’s, VT and UGA’s of the world that play us. This game is a no win situation for established status quo teams.
2. UGA players too big, too fast, too athletic for Boise State to handle
– UGA went 6-7 last year – and I am sure this was UGA’s arguement regarding Colorado and UCF
– Boise is better athletically than you realize – hey, beating Oregon once would be an upset – but beating them twice (including a Rose Bowl year) and beating VT (in an ACC title year) let’s you know that this team can play with anyone.
3. UGA will blow Boise off the field
– see #2
– hey – could happen – I think it will be an exciting game with an improved and focussed UGA staff and team trying to distance last years poor showing.
– Also consider Coach Petersen not only knows how to prepare the team – and the game plan against the strengths and weaknesses of our opponents – but game day coaching is incredible.
Taking nothing for granted – Boise will compete in this game – and I think will win based on the fact that UGA has too many new players and new moving parts that need to jell. We are catching UGA at the best possible time.
Athens Dawg
August 29th, 2011
2:41 pm
I don’t think people realize how stupid they are going to look on Saturday. Don’t spout off until it’s happened. If you talk all kinds of junk leading up to the game and Georgia just dominates, how does that make you look? I don’t take Boise for granted and I know they’ll compete and so will we. The better team will win. Make what you want of it.
CDAWG
August 29th, 2011
2:46 pm
Boise in Atl, ok last post was good. Boise is a very well coached team with that being said, Coach Richt has won a big game or two in his tenure at UGA so it’s not like he is not accustomed to playing big time opponents. UGA’s size and speed will wear Boise down and you happen to be the beneficiary of their bad attitude on 9/3! Oh I almost forgot the best running back that has ever played the game of College football will be in the house offering his support for his fellow Dawgs!
sc fan
August 29th, 2011
2:55 pm
I am looking forward to the tape of the game. The best part is that Darth Visor will have a great chance to see how to pick apart the dog d. Thanks for the leg up on scheduling!
BroncosOverGeorgia
August 29th, 2011
2:58 pm
Boise State: 30
Georgia: 20
Georgia still has a buffoon for a head coach. That’ll be the difference.
UGASlobberknocker
August 29th, 2011
3:05 pm
Another Bulldog announcer/journalist..there are a lot out there
Mark Schlabach
Tony Barnhart
Chip Carey
Jim Powell
Ernie Johnson Jr
just to name the ones on the top of my head.
UGASlobberknocker
August 29th, 2011
3:18 pm
This was the headline in the AJC today:
“FBI asks public’s help in finding former Tech hoops star”
I would suggest checking Grant Field. Knowing that it is almost football season, Crittendon prob went to the stadium to hide out knowing no one ever goes there.
UGASlobberknocker
August 29th, 2011
3:23 pm
Some bloggers above have mentioned Boise State and the PAC 12 in the same breath. That will never happen..;Boise State is not a state chartered research university which is the first qualification to get into any major conference. The University of Idaho is the only one in that state . Boise State is never going to get a PAC 12 invitation .
A couple of days ago someone mentioned BYU as a possible PAC 12. No way that will ever happen either. The PAC 12 nor any other conference is going to let BYU in and have their 26 year old seniors dominate the normally aged seniors.
Columbus
August 29th, 2011
3:23 pm
Yeah they BETTER be worried about our SPEED, ATHLETICISM AND STRENGTH BABY!
You have a really good defense? Against a good SEC team? No you dont.
Dont know about the lines? We are going to MANHANLDE your lines and DOMINATE the second half.
Lead the nation in sacks? Against junior colleges.
Boise will be lucky if they are still in the game in the 4th qtr.
Moore has a new receiving corp and we are going to be all over his receivers and all over him….ALL GAME. How many pics do we get? 3 or 4?
Will they even be able to THINK about stopping our running game? No.
Will their defense be on the field all game, while their offense watches and cannot do any scoring? Yes
Will their defense and linemen be toast come the 4th qtr? Yes
Is UGA much faster and stronger than them and VT? Yes
UGA 41 Boise 33
1eyedJack
August 29th, 2011
3:36 pm
BroncosOverGeorgia, what has your head “buffoon” won that ours has not?
Columbus
August 29th, 2011
3:38 pm
No….. UGA 41 Boise 27
Alphare
August 29th, 2011
3:40 pm
Bronco fans,
don’t get scared of UGA. They are paper tigers for the most part. They couldn’t beat UCF in the last game they played. Their best player Arron Murray couldn’t throw a TD in that game.
Since that game, their 2 most experienced RB’s are gone, while a couple of unexperienced freshmen are added to their roster.
Yes, they are big and fast. They are a top-10 recruiting team. But it’s been like that every year. That is nothing new.
Like Texas, not many teams can beat them on paper. The state of Texas and Georgia have 1/3 of the football talents in this country. You’d imagine Texas and UGA had won 10 NC’s between the 2. Actually they only won 1 in the last 30 years. Only 1.
Texas and UGA, the 2 worst underachivers in college football.
Athens Dawg
August 29th, 2011
4:05 pm
King and Ealey won’t be missed. You can bet that. Richt has already stated that he’s really pleased with this season’s running backs than last season’s. He showed Ealey the door and King made poor choices. We’ll be better off. As for that UCF game, guys get over it already. Seriously, it’s getting old. When Alabama lost to Louisiana Monroe, and Utah people thought the same thing.
D BAG TROLLS!
August 29th, 2011
4:11 pm
Is this guy for real? Why in the world do you have to stoop so low to find this guy to interview? Really? Can not find anyone else? Sad!
D BAG TROLLS!
August 29th, 2011
4:14 pm
Alphare; how many handles are you going to use? GT stinks and this is what you do all day? Loser!!!!!!!
DawginLex
August 29th, 2011
4:16 pm
I would much rather watch richard Samuel and I Crowell than King and Ealey.
Alphare, you are such a dam football expert: Tell me what ealey and King did in 2010 to warrant being missed?
Hit and run
Not going to class
Fumbles
Missed blocks
Yeah, we will really miss those 2 boneheads.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 29th, 2011
4:18 pm
Its a sad day when almost every sports writer isnt giving UGA a chance
I sure hope Marky Mark Richt and The typical Thomasville know it all native Bobo uses that for motivation
Trojan
August 29th, 2011
4:28 pm
Why is it a story when an announcer picks the team he works for? The headline implies some insight.
Ron Smith
August 29th, 2011
4:32 pm
GO Dawgs; but Boise State will win
Skip
August 29th, 2011
4:35 pm
Of coures Bosie signs his pay checks
Alphare
August 29th, 2011
4:36 pm
D Bag, you don’t want to get mad with me, because it’s my job to get people mad.
DawginLex, King and Ealey are high-caliber recruits. It’s not they don’t have talent, but not properly utilized. Just a half-hearted Tech fan’s opinion.
Sven Ottke
August 29th, 2011
4:37 pm
Midget Murray is going to get his lunch eaten by Boise St.
Boise in ATL
August 29th, 2011
4:47 pm
Columbus – revisit your post – you are claiming athletic and coaching superiority – yet you are predicting Boise to score 33 points. Love it!
Hey – this could turn into a shootout game. I have NO idea what will happen except that Boise should be extremely sharp as we are returning 14 senior starters that included an incredible accurate QB that can pick a defense apart in terms of play calling, short and long passes.
For Boise to win – we have to be the smarter team, make less mistakes – and function a as a unit better than UGA. This is how we we give ourselves a chance to win. And – as mentioned earlier – we have a team full of Verron Haynes type of players. Excellent Athletes with high potential – yet overlooked by the traditional big boys. These type of players have a chip on their shoulder and will play every last minute – never quit. We do a great job of getting these players to Boise – and coaching up their potential.
Again – UGA has so many new players and issues they are resolving – I think it will take a few games to jell. UGA starting off 0-2 is very much a potential reality.
Boise in ATL
August 29th, 2011
4:49 pm
Columbus – saw you downgrade us to 27 points. Nice D there fella!
Go Dawgs!
August 29th, 2011
4:50 pm
@ Boise in ATL “. Behler is correct – our defense is incredible – very fast – very athletic – and does have some size.”
LOL!!
Very fast compared to what?!
Look, compared to a go kart, a 4cyl Honda is blazin fast, but up against a Corvette that same Honda gets smoked.
Listen, we all heard this same thing a few years back when it was Zabransky and Co. This was going to be the big statement game for Boise and a kickoff to Zabransky yada, yada, yada.
Here’s a more realistic look at what will likely happen as stated in a post game article on ESPN from the 2005 game…
…Meanwhile, Jared Zabransky and the high-scoring Broncos were totally overwhelmed by Georgia’s revamped defense, which didn’t seem to have any trouble replacing David Pollack, Thomas Davis and Odell Thurman, three defensive stars who moved on to the NFL, or coordinator Brian VanGorder, who also landed a job in the pros.
For Boise State, ranked in the preseason for the first time, the opener was a jarring lesson in big-time football.
“We got spanked,” coach Dan Hawkins said. “Georgia is a very good football team. That had a lot to do with it.”
I get it, it’s not 2005 and since then Boise beat “Choke-la-homa” and a VT team that came out flat because they read too much of their own press and still nearly won the game.
Boise is not going to sneak up on the Dawgs, they aren’t going to overlook them like we did UCF and like OK and VT did. It’s a little different when they see you coming.
Leonard’s Loser…Boise, by a bunch!!
Go Dawgs!!!
Augusta YellowJacket
August 29th, 2011
4:52 pm
Hope Boise beat ga. like the Gators do each year
DawginLex
August 29th, 2011
4:53 pm
not properly utilized
what part of not breaking the law and actually going to class makes them underutilized?
Ealey scored 7 TD’s last year-5 against Kentucky. I don’t think that is any great performance that we are going to sit back and say “wow I sure wish we had Ealey back”
I’d rather watch a kid like Samuel who actually goes to class, is smart, works in UGA Compliance Office in the offseason. He and Thomas Brown have been mentoring Crowell. Remains to be seen if IC gets it.
I can get excited watching guys who actually try and do things right.
The only thing that Ealey and King underutilized were there own opportunities.
DawgDad
August 29th, 2011
4:59 pm
Does anybody really have a clue what kind of team Georgia will field? I don’t think anybody really knows how well they will play, even the coaches. Based on what I saw last year and what I think the Dawgs have done to improve themselves, I’d say Boise 38 Dawgs 13.
Until the Dawgs prove they are showing up to mind the business at hand and play hard-nosed football I’m not believing anything except they are overstocked with overrated and self-absorbed players. The team has been sorely lacking for character and leadership in the locker room and on the field the past 2-3 years. What do they need? Tough-nosed line play on both sides of the ball, play-making linebackers, DBs that can cover, and skill players who can report eligible for the games. Other than that they appear to be in good shape.
DogDoug
August 29th, 2011
4:59 pm
a GOOD CALL. Boise will jump out to a 21-0 lead, and hang on until the end, then as usual, we’ll fall apart in the 4th quarter, what’s new?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 29th, 2011
5:02 pm
Augusta YellowJacket
Get back to earning that sanitation engineering degree and finish cleaning Rays creek at Augusta National.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 29th, 2011
5:02 pm
I am waiting on the big UGA fan (sarcasm …) Mark May to pick UGA. That is the pick I can’t wait to here…. I dare say he takes Boise by 50 he is definetly not a UGA guy.
AltamahaDawg
August 29th, 2011
5:07 pm
that 4:52 post really tells a story, doesn’t it?
JDawg1785
August 29th, 2011
5:08 pm
Cute story. THIS UGA alumnus wants the Dawgs to win.
Athens Dawg
August 29th, 2011
5:10 pm
What I don’t get is why people keep calling Murray a midget. Last time I checked he’s taller than Kellen Moore.
Athens Dawg
August 29th, 2011
5:12 pm
King NOR Ealey ever rushed for over 1,000 yards in a season and neither one scored more than 9 TDs in a season. What are we missing here? Seriously?
Athens Dawg
August 29th, 2011
5:14 pm
Truth is we haven’t had a good, loyal back since Thomas Brown. Moreno was not loyal because he left after only 2 seasons. He was wanting a contract instead of a ring.
TeeJayy
August 29th, 2011
5:30 pm
I still can’t get over that the game is in Atlanta. It’s pretty much a home game.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 29th, 2011
5:34 pm
I cant blame Moreno for leaving
Richt didnt believe he was good enough so he redshirted him and not being able to do nothing with the talent they had with Stafford Greene and Mo mass. He just realized this staff wasnt good enough
Jimbo
August 29th, 2011
5:39 pm
Living in the past. 1980, 2005 all in the past, look Boise is a very well coached team regardless of where they play. Uga is a very young team that just might jell at some point but they also have a question mark on the level of their coaching.
matt
August 29th, 2011
5:59 pm
haha please the broncos are gunna stomp all over you pathetic so called dawgs. You guys lost to UCF in your bowl game last year with aj green! haha no chance! my prediction BSU 40 UGA 10
Athens Dawg
August 29th, 2011
6:07 pm
Different team matt, different team
Dawgs1
August 29th, 2011
6:18 pm
Sounds like a classy guy as i would certainly expect from a fellow alum. Can’t blame him for his sentiments….UGA still his next team, unlike some other previous UGA student now residing in Gainesville, FL.
Good luck to you Bob, but not to Boise State until after Saturday night.
Go Dawgs!!
UGAKEV
August 29th, 2011
6:19 pm
Post like Matt’s above show how stupid some people are when it comes to talking about college football.
UGAKEV
August 29th, 2011
6:20 pm
It would be great for the Dawgs to get to the National Championship and let Larry Munson announce one last game for the Dawgs.
Snoop Dawg
August 29th, 2011
6:29 pm
Sounds like this Boise boy is drinking the koolaid–Boise State koolaid.
I’m hoping all that raw talent that UGA has can overcome our inferior coaching to beat Boise State at the Georgia Dome. It’s virtually a home game for us.
If we lose to Boise State in those Roller Derby uniforms, I dare any of these Richt apologists to start cranking out more excuses.
It should be lights out for da Preacha man if UGA losese to Boise State in the Georgia Dome.
Good also to know about this guy Behler or whatever his name is. This little feature needs to be archived in case he ever applies for an opening as announcer at UGA in the future!
PowerDawg
August 29th, 2011
6:31 pm
Well Mr. Behler…
Those nation leading defensive numbers you so eloquently speak of…you know, those VERY OVER-INFLATED total defense, rushing defense, and sack totals?…came from Va Tech and ELEVEN cub scout packs that call themselves D-1 football programs! Eleven of the prettiest, softest creme-filled ho-hos you have even seen. And I’m including that flash-in-the-pan TCU.
They have beaten Oregon (before they became BCS contenders) and and a couple of other second-tier teams…and they got extremely lucky against Oklahoma…once.
This Saturday night they are gonna step on the field against a real football team. And come Monday, their over confident players and their ultra-smug fans are still going to be unable to wrap their collective minds around the comeuppance they are certainly in for.
jttaylort
August 29th, 2011
6:32 pm
matt and boise lost to Nevada…what’s your point? That was last year this is 2011
jttaylort
August 29th, 2011
6:36 pm
Remember when everyone said the same thing about Hawaii before UGA spanked Hawaii…or the same with Boise State in 2005…Georgia is a BCS buster-buster! GO DAWGS!!!
LakeDawg
August 29th, 2011
6:39 pm
Boise will be clicking on all cylanders. They’re experienced and know that their season rides on this game. AND they have experience in playing an all or nothing game to start the season. Having said that, however, UGA doesn’t have to be clicking on all cylanders to win. They just have to play with passion the whole 60 minutes. VT almost won last year with a horrendous 1st half. Then their size and athleticism took over. Odds are UGA won’t have that kind of half and have even better athletes than VT.
GSUpporter
August 29th, 2011
6:42 pm
@ Snoop Dawg…Love your music but put the pipe down my man. The DOME is Georgia State’s home and we’re just letting you borrow it. Good luck and hope you stomp some Boise boys down.
GO PANTHERS