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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
397 comments Add your comment
LogicalUS
August 29th, 2011
6:45 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?”
Well for one thing they were good enough that UGA’s current starter was moved to scout team LB?
Now seriously what does that tell YOU.
Either….
1) UGA running game is seriously downgraded this season
or the
2) UGA offensive staff are such complete idiots they wasted this superman on the scout team defense in exchange for the two “cancers”.
Of course these two cancers are just a few months from being compared by all the UGA homers here to the Trent and Lattimore kids as equal in talent and production. That was until they left so now they can safely be blamed for all the many issues with the UGA football team.
So I think that everyone can guess the reality.
RedandBlackDAWG
August 29th, 2011
6:59 pm
Augusta Yellow Jacket,
You might add, and like UGA beats Tech. every year.
DougsMugs
August 29th, 2011
7:01 pm
I hope Orson Charles sees this and takes it out on Boise… On OBNUG,
they have a thread called The Georgia Bulldogs anagram roster and are calling
Orson Charles a Colon Sharers
How bad is that?
gadawgs
August 29th, 2011
7:02 pm
Who the he** is Bob Behler and why do we give a rats a** what he believes or says?
jttaylort
August 29th, 2011
7:06 pm
Augusta Yellow Jacket, how are the bumble bees this year? Oh wait they suck…okay go away now…this isn’t a techie blog.
Three Year Slide is Over
August 29th, 2011
7:23 pm
UGA has been in a slide for three years! It’s over come Saturday. And, with a Sophomore QB, young D, and frosh RB, SEC get ready b/c UGA is about to go on 3 year run.
GATA
SEC1
August 29th, 2011
7:26 pm
This article simply states the obvious.
Would you expect Muschamp to pull for the Dawgs when we play Florida?
OK, move on…
Bronco Nation Rebuttal
August 29th, 2011
7:30 pm
Bronco Nation
August 29th, 2011
8:20 am
UGA #57 National University Academic Ranking US News & World Report
Isn’t Boise State a community college and they recruit 2nd and 3rd players from East LA to play for it?
Bronco Nation – You’re an Idiot!!!
Bronco Nation Rebuttal
August 29th, 2011
7:32 pm
That’s 2nd and 3rd year players from community colleges in East LA. I’m sure those folks can write and they’ve learned how to dodge bullets.
this is for how2fish
August 29th, 2011
7:39 pm
http://www.arkive.org/osprey/pandion-haliaetus/video-00.html
Good luck Sat nite
Athens Dawg
August 29th, 2011
7:40 pm
We do have a young team but so what? Young players can get it done too. Just wait till Saturday. Just wait.
drdawg
August 29th, 2011
7:49 pm
How many SEC teams have these Clowns beaten? On a road game? Dawgs 34, Boysy 17.
Not even close.
akitadawg
August 29th, 2011
7:56 pm
A few tidbits for everyone.
1. The first game and last (bowl) game are always the most unpredictable. No one and I mean no one knows which Boise team or which UGA team will show up.
2. Defense tends to dominate in these type games. Offenses have not gelled, defenses just read and react.
Last years BSU/VT was the exception.
3. As Vegas underdogs, UGA historically comes to play. Betting against the Dawgs, when they aren’t
supposed to win is perilous. Conversely, the Dawgs don’t do well as favorites.
4. Coach Mark Richt’s butt is on the line. The players as a whole, love and respect him. They will work their
gonads off to win for the Big Dawg,
5. The UGA defense has 2 veteran NFL coaches on it, Grantham and Olivadotti. They know how to prepare.
Yes, Petersen’s is a great coach, but he may have his hands full with the Dawgs. BSU does not run a Florida
type spread offense, which the Dawgs have trouble with. The 3-4 will enable UGA to adjust to BSU’s endless
tailback and TE motions. Although a little different, Arkansas’ offense is the most similar to BSUs.
6. If Murray and company can control a little clock and not turn the ball over UGA will win. BSU’s weakness on
defense is their secondary. If we can pound the ball and force their safeties to creep up, our WRs/ TEs will
run wild.
7. We have a huge advantage in special teams. Richt needs to utilize our largest strength. Use Butler to pin
them deep and have Walsh ready to bail us out if the O bogs down. Go after their new kickers and use our
speed al a Boykin and have some break-backing returns.
8. UGA over BSU 24-14.
whereyouwerebarking
August 29th, 2011
8:12 pm
To the idiot UGA fans that like to make quotes like ” I wouldn’t necessarily describe as incredible surrendering 30 points to a team who could only hang 16 on James Madison.” – What DO YOU have to show against Central FL last January?? Only 6 points – just 2 field goals – and averaged 2.5 yards a carry? While Murray went 50% and less than 200 yards and zero (0) TDs and 2 (two) Interceptions??
WOW – don’t make fun of other teams – UGA.
SeenItAll
August 29th, 2011
8:17 pm
No way Boise State will lose to a middling SEC team coming off a losing season capping 3 years of decline. UGA won’t score an offensive TD until its third game. What on earth has UGA done to make anyone think it can beat a top ten team with a Heisman candidate senior QB? Boise State’s athletes are just as big, bad, and fast as Georgia’s. Plus they have the advantage of knowing that no football pundit in the country wants to see them lose. Boise State whipping any SEC program will generate enough sport show controversy to keep commentators busy with inane speculation until bowl season. UGA will lose with dignity, 23-12.
George Johnson
August 29th, 2011
8:19 pm
No doubt Boise State would have a much different record over the last few years if they played in the SEC. However, they would have still been a top 25 team. They are ranked 5th in the nation and ahead of Georgia so they are probably the better team. However, it should be close and I predict the team that makes the least mistakes will win.
Dawg89
August 29th, 2011
8:48 pm
I hope the playes have watched this game. Seeing all that passing makes me nervous. Our pass defense was bad last year. Come to think of it, our defense was really bad.
Vandals Reek
August 29th, 2011
8:57 pm
As we head into the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game on September 3rd, us Boise State fans have heard all of the insults from the fans of Georgia and other BCS teams.
Every cliche’ argument from strength of schedule to playing on the “smurf turf” has been brought forth in an effort to minimize the Broncos’ impressive run over the past 10 years.
This happens every year, whether its Virginia Tech before they lost or Oregon before they lost twice to Boise State.
So to all you Dawg fans trying to act like you’re not nervous, here’s some fascinating facts for you.
1. Boise State is 46-12 on green fields in the past 10 years with only five losses in the past five years. That record is the third-best away record in all of Division FBS schools.
2. The players see the field on a different plane while playing, otherwise it would be really tough for BSU to dominate every opposing team on the blue when his receivers are camouflaged.
3. Boise State beat Fresno State 51-0 at Bronco Stadium wearing orange uniforms. This was actually one of the most dominating performances in BSU history. Maybe they should wear a different colored uniform on “The Blue.”
Another argument they bring up is the weak schedule.
1. There is some validity in this argument but just point out that the Mountain West Conference is actually ranked higher then the Big East—a fellow BCS conference.
2. Also, point out that Boise State wins when they get to play BCS schools. In the Chris Petersen era, Boise has lost only one game against a BCS team including some wins over Oregon when they won the Pac-10 in 2009 and Virginia Tech when they won the ACC in 2010. But don’t worry, this argument will get easier after a win in Atlanta.
3. Third argument you could make is that in BCS rankings (which takes strength of schedule into account), Boise State has finished the season ranked:
in the BCS top five twice in the past five years
in the BCS top 10 five times in the past seven years
and in the BCS top 25 seven times in the past eight years.
Keep in mind, BSU has only been a Division 1-A school since 1996 and didn’t join the WAC until 2001.
From the Georgia fans, you will also get the argument of the last time Boise went to Georgia and we lost by a significant amount.
I guess the blue turf really does give them an advantage. 1. Other then the obvious argument that the two teams meeting in 2011 are vastly different than the teams that met in 2005, BSU was being coached by Dan Hawkins at that point, and he did not adequately prepare Boise State like Coach Petersen would have. That is evident when he went to Colorado and proceeded to tank the Buffaloes during his tenure there.
2. You will have to concede that Georgia was very good that year. They went on to win the SEC championship, and BSU was in a rebuilding year but still only lost four games. They should have won. This year is much different. This Boise State team is much better, and this Georgia team is much worse then the last time they met.
Some will want to bring up the Nevada game last year. Well, if its a Georgia fan, this is too easy.
1. Just comment on their big wins over Idaho State and Louisiana-Lafayette in their 6-7 run last year. However, don’t mention the fact that they lost to an unranked Mississippi State, Florida and Colorado as it may hurt some feelings. Also, try to contain the laughter if you have to mention Colorado. Meanwhile, BSU hasn’t had a losing season in 13 years.
2. You can mention that Nevada finished the season at No. 11 right behind No. 9 Boise State but far ahead of Georgia, and Nevada finished 13-1 that year. Plus BSU lost in overtime by three.
The Boise State NASCAR. Photo Courtesy of Brian Scott 3. Don’t mention the bowl loss to Central Florida either. I bet that one stings Georgia fans too.
The last insult I hear a lot is the fact that BSU is essentially a high school team because our stadium holds 33,500 fans, and they are right it does only hold about 34,000.
1. There is only one argument to this, and that is Boise has only been a Division 1-A school for the last 15 years. Georgia has been playing at a high level for over 100 years.
In that 100 years, Sanford Stadium is the best they can come up with? Hell, it’s not even good enough for the kickoff game let alone the best in the SEC. Give Boise State 100 years and see what kind of stadium they come up with.
In the next five years, BSU will increase its stadium from 33,500 to 53,000, and BSU will still maintain their home winning streak.
Some other interesting facts to use against Georgia. Did you know:
Boise State has the same amount of BCS bowl wins as Georgia.
Boise State has been ranked higher then Georgia in the BCS in four of the last five years?
Boise State has a NASCAR race car and Georgia doesn’t? That especially crushes Georgia fans. Oh, and it will race in Atlanta the same day BSU plays Georgia. Well played Broncos.
And last but not least, go ahead and mention the fact that the Georgia coach thought Kellen Moore had graduated, and that’s why they took the game but then tried to cover it up by saying he was joking. Joke or not, that sure is motivating for his players.
Hopefully, this helps you fight the good fight against the BCS powers or at least gives you some fire power against that crazed Georgia fan in your office.
Plus, at the very least, you can comment on Georgia’s hideous bright red Nike Pro Combat Uniform with the red stripe down the face mask.
Good luck Dawg fans and let the games begin.
chickenman
August 29th, 2011
8:59 pm
TIME TO BEAT THE SMURFS… this aint the ACC or WAC. SEC SPEED is too much… Hawaii found that out in 08
Just Brent Olmstead
August 29th, 2011
8:59 pm
BSU 38 UGA 10
JAWJeRDAWG
August 29th, 2011
9:11 pm
Just read a good report from Seth Emerson on today’s practice; no new injuries, and those players that have been are well on the mend and are expected to play on Saturday! .. Go Dawgs!
wins-by-a-link
August 29th, 2011
9:30 pm
Boise State will find out very soon after kick-off why The SEC has won the last few National Championships, They will also discover that speed does kill, Also they will notice that the turf in the dome is green because they will get a close look at it.
Vandals Reek
August 29th, 2011
9:41 pm
Yeah wins-by-a-link the SEC has one the last few National Championships, but not by Georgia. Seriously though, alot of smack talk coming from the fans of a team who lost to Colorado and UCF. We love all the smack talk, it just proves to us that Georgia and their fans are nervous about Boise State and this game, as they should be. But in all seriousness, let’s just hope for a good game and that none of these kids get hurt. GO BIG BLUE!!!!
Steve
August 29th, 2011
9:41 pm
Don’t think this will be a beat down by either team. I think that the Dawgs have more to prove in this game after last year’s debacle of a season, so I am giving them the edge. The Dawgs have to control the clock and the D has to rush Moore. I am not concerned with Murray as I think that he will be poised and accurate. I am calling Dawgs 24 Boise 17. GO DAWGS!
GIVE ME A BREAK
August 29th, 2011
10:56 pm
Boise will win because of better coaching.
RedandBlackDAWG
August 29th, 2011
11:09 pm
andels Reek,
If you don’t like smack talk from UGA fans, here is a suggestion for you. Don’t come onto a blog fropm AJC (Atlanta paper, that is in Georgia in case your geography is suspect). I am sure you have a newspaper in a city of a half a million people, where your garbage would be appreciated. If you can’t hang with the big DAWG, don’t come into his house and try to trade bones.
GO DAWGS and GATA
rabid_dawg
August 30th, 2011
2:49 am
Ga is simply the bigger and more physical team. All the conditioning talk in the off season was not just a bunch of hot air. Ga is 327 lbs avg on there oline. Ga’s experience issues are bit over blown.
Boise St is walking into a hornets nest much like Hawaii did a few years ago. Crowell will be unleashed while Moore is repeatedly introduced face first the Ga dome turf. Enjoy it Smurfs.
Ga will make this a very physical game and Boise st will fold.
Bring up Va tech if you’d like….they were more of a finess style than Ga.
Bring up past bowls….last I checked its always a lose lose scenario when you play a smaller school. Thus….you dont see the a game.
Ga wins 31-17
bake
August 30th, 2011
3:53 am
Georgia in a blowout!!
STOMP GEORGIA...STOMP GEORGIA
August 30th, 2011
9:58 am
I hope and pray the Broncos STOMP and TRAMPLE and HURT the Georgia Bulldogs. I hope they beat them so bad they demoralize the whole team for the rest of the year and begin the long and sad goodbyes to the joke of a coach at Georgia, Mark Richt…….GO Broncos – Stomp & Trample the DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
King Gator
August 30th, 2011
10:11 am
they’re no UCF, oops bad example – Go Gators! Go SEC! Go Georgia, don’t wet the bed…
how2fish
August 30th, 2011
10:39 am
To whoever sent me that link thanks that was way cool!
Dawg Tired
August 30th, 2011
10:50 am
So money is thicker than blood – at least to some people.
Dawg Tired
August 30th, 2011
10:54 am
I sure wish Florida had their own blogs. One would not think UGA vs. BSU is really something a Florida fan would give a hoot about. Of course, it does confirm we are important when it comes to college football. I don’t even know, or care, who Florida is playing this week or next week or whenever they start.
The red clay hound
August 30th, 2011
11:35 am
The key for Ga will be 2 things….
1) win the turnover battle.
2) Ga’s LBs must play fast and physical with no YAC.
I feel confident with Ga’s ability to maintain at least a slight advantage in the trenches.
I like Ga’s secondary….there is some good experience there.
But…..last years defense looked miserable at times and what I always saw was our LBs going at half speed and not tackeling well. If Richt wants to keep his job….that p-poor play on defense must change. It really looked like a lack of defensive effort on last years team.
My gut feeling is Ga will be very good this year and they will defeat Boise st 27-17.
jarvis
August 30th, 2011
11:48 am
Why would anyone add Boise State to their conference? So they could eat up a spot that a decent TV market could occupy?
Rick S
August 30th, 2011
11:53 am
If UGA loses, Mark Richt should be fired on the spot. Won’t happen, but it SHOULD.
Losing this game at the Dome would be an embarrassment to the entire SEC.
Here’s my prediction: Win by two or more TDs, and UGA will start the season 2-0. Win by less than that, SC game is very iffy. Lose and UGA will most definitely start the season 0-2 and is looking at about 6-6 this year.
PowerDawg
August 30th, 2011
1:35 pm
Wow, Vandals! That was impressive!
All those facts aren’t going to mean much when your team loses Saturday night.
Yes, it’s true we have suffered through some terribly low moments the last three years.
Yes, it’s true your team has been very successful.
Ain’t gonna mean squat come Saat-i-dee.
We have recovered from our downturn, unlike our pitiful government-induced anemic national economy.
Saturday, the Univerity of Georgia will not just be playing for their fans. Nor will they be playing for some BCS ranking, and they won’t be on some misguided quest for R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Saturday, OUR DAWGS will also be playing for their coach, for themselves, and for the SEC.
We will be victorious because we are DAWGNATION!
“Beware of The Dawg”
On a side note…I did find it humorous that you and the rest of your fan base actually believe that your quality of athletes is equal to that on teams in the PAC-10, ACC, or…and this is the funniest part…the SEC.
The kids on your team are there by and large because they were not recruited by the BCS schools.
Why is that?
Did they ALL decide to commit to BSU because of hometown pride?
Or was it because they might actually get to play a little on a team like yours. I mean, I can almost understand that. That, as opposed to never playing at all unless it’s a blowout on either side.
I think KM is a very good quarterback and fits well in Petersens’ system. But do you think a 5′10″ guy with limited mobility and only moderate arm strength, (accuracy notwitstanding) would be a starter on any of the top SEC teams?
The answer is most definitely NO.
Good luck Saturday. Your going to need it.
Fire Mark Richt
August 30th, 2011
2:35 pm
I’m confident that we can beat Boise, even with Richt still on the job. But I’m baffled by those who act like it’s a done deal and that Georgia’s “talent” advantage will win the day. Any of you watch Boise beat Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, and Oregon? All three have as much talent as Georgia, if not more.
Boise has enough talent to get the job done, and superior coaching on top of that. We better show up ready to play from the opening whistle or it’ll be a long game.
boise boy
August 30th, 2011
7:49 pm
To the question that was asked, “If Boise played in the SEC would they go 6-7″. I think Boise State would smash every team in the SEC and do it with authority. The reason is because Boise State is a good football team who operates on a shoestring budget. What is it? 3 million or so a year. The average SEC team has a budget of 6 to 8 times that! If Boise State had that kind of money and national showing I am certain they would get the so called 5 star talent and better equipment than they have now. Until the SEC teams run a football budget of only 3 mil a year and still win games, they need to stop hating all the small schools.
RedandBlackDAWG
August 31st, 2011
11:18 am
Boise Boy,
I think you might be a little confused here. You came onto a blog from a Georgia paper and started bad mouthing UGA and now the SEC and boasting about Boise. Do you expect UGA fans put down their own school and praise yours just because you come onto a blog? I don’t care what size Boise is. They are the opponent and I and every fan of another SEC school wants to beat an outsider. Size of school has nothing to do with it. Comments like” Boise State would smash every team in the SEC and do it with authority”, insure you will get negative comments shot your way. Certainly, you are mature enough to understand that.
GO DAWGS and GATA
LLUGA
August 31st, 2011
8:13 pm
I’m with boise boy…if Boise St. had the money of most SEC schools they could probably just play in the NFL…and cure cancer….and shoot lightning out of their fingers…Boise St. is the greatest football team to ever play the game…why even play this season…give Boise St the BSC trophy now…heck, give the the World Series trophy too…
sicdawg
August 31st, 2011
10:57 pm
Get ready to be a si ck dawg. CMR can’t win against a good coach
Another losing season Boise State 38 Dawgs 6
sicdawg
August 31st, 2011
11:07 pm
You can go to Vegas with this
Dawgs lose to SC by 21
Miss by10
Miss St by 17
Tenn by 21
Fla by 28
Auburn by 10
Ky by 7
Tech by 21
Record will be 2-10
Bye CMR Should have been fired 2 years ago
Joe
September 2nd, 2011
10:32 am
Bob, you are a traitor and an all around son of a bitch
Hawg Fan
September 2nd, 2011
12:48 pm
Greetings from Razorback country. As much as I may dislike Georgia (as I hate everyone in the SEC. That’s how you know you’re in a good conference!), I’d appreciate it if you guys would thrash Boise State so I can quit hearing about them all the time. I’ll never say this again, but Go Dawgs! Give ‘em a proper SEC welcome.
Hawg Fan
September 2nd, 2011
12:50 pm
“Boise Boy” has GOT to be kidding, by the way.
cari
September 4th, 2011
1:49 am
weak SEC welcome!!! Go Broncos!!