Opportunity knocks? Broncos hope young receivers step up in Pettis' absence

Boise State football coach Chris Petersen hopes to get star wide receiver Austin Pettis back for the Broncos' bowl game.

Pettis suffered a fractured lower leg on a two-point attempt in the first quarter Friday against Nevada. He will miss the regular-season finale Saturday at Bronco Stadium against New Mexico State (1:05 p.m., KTVB).

The Broncos likely won't play their bowl game until the first week of January, which might allow Pettis to heal. He has caught a school-record 14 touchdown passes this season.

"That's what (the doctors) are saying," Petersen said of Pettis returning, "if everything went just right."

Surgery is an option and could accelerate the healing process, Petersen said.

Freshman Mitch Burroughs (eight catches) is listed as the starter at Pettis' spot this week. Freshmen Chris Potter (three) and Kirby Moore (14) also will help fill the void. Moore is starting at slot receiver in place of injured sophomore Tyler Shoemaker.

The three freshmen combined for four catches against Nevada.

"It will be a great opportunity for some of these other guys," Petersen said. "We've been working them in slowly but surely as the season's gone on. Now it's time for those guys to go."

The Broncos also lost co-starting middle linebacker Daron Mackey for the year. Mackey tore the same anterior cruciate ligament as last year, when he missed the entire season. He likely will return around the beginning of the 2010 season.

Mackey had 36 tackles, four tackles for loss, three pass breakups and a forced fumble this year. He had developed into a key player on the defense.

Linebackers coach Jeff Choate said he "just felt sick" when he learned of Mackey's injury.

"He was emerging as kind of the leader of the (linebackers) group," Choate said.

Junior co-starter Derrell Acrey and sophomore Hunter White will fill the middle linebacker job. Freshman J.C. Percy also could slide over from the weak-side job to provide depth. Freshman Tommy Smith can play on the weak side if Percy is needed in the middle.

Acrey is questionable this week. He played one of his best games against Nevada but was injured in the second half.

The Broncos also lost left tackle Nate Potter in that game. He couldn't see after getting poked in the eye, Petersen said.

Combined with earlier injuries, the Broncos will play New Mexico State without two of their top four rushers (D.J. Harper and Matt Kaiserman), two of their top four receivers (Pettis and Shoemaker), starting fullback Richie Brockel and possibly both middle linebackers.

Shoemaker (hernia) is expected to return for the bowl, Petersen said.

"We're beat up, there's no question," he said. "We've lost a lot of guys along the way."

HARSIN NOMINATED FOR AWARD

Boise State offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin is one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, which goes to the nation's top assistant coach. Petersen, the Broncos' former offensive coordinator, was a finalist for the award in 2002 and 2004.

The other finalists are Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, Cincinnati offensive coordinator Jeff Quinn, Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong and TCU defensive coordinator Dick Bumpas.

The winner will be announced Dec. 8.

"Bryan does a great job developing our quarterbacks and running our offense," Petersen said. 

PETERSEN GETS PAY BUMP

Petersen earned a 19 percent raise for 2010 when the Broncos won their 12th game last week. That puts his salary at $1,324,053 for next year.

He already has earned at least a $92,720 bonus for winning the WAC. His football-related bonus could be as high as $217,720 if the Broncos go to a Bowl Championship Series game and finish in the top 10. He also has an academic bonus.

BENSON EXPECTS BCS BID

WAC commissioner Karl Benson called the Broncos' berth in the BCS a "foregone conclusion" if Texas beats Nebraska in the Big 12 title game and the Broncos win their regular-season finale.

If Nebraska wins, the No. 6 Broncos likely would be pitted against No. 9 Iowa for the last at-large berth.

"Then there's going to be some uncertainty," Benson said.

Last week, it looked like Oklahoma State might beat out Boise State. Iowa has two losses. Oklahoma State had two losses before falling to Oklahoma on Saturday.

"It's a shame we're even talking about the possibility that an Oklahoma State or Iowa jumps over Boise State," Benson said.

MOORE, BRONCOS TOP CHARTS

Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore enters the final week of the regular season as the national leader in pass efficiency (168.74), touchdown passes (38, tied for first) and touchdown percentage (10.5). He leads in pass efficiency by 7.32 points.

Moore lost his leads in touchdown-to-interception ratio (38-to-3) and interception percentage (0.83) when Southern Miss quarterback Martevious Young became eligible for the national stats this week. Young has 13 touchdowns and one interception. His interception percentage is 0.51. Moore is second in both categories.

Moore also has helped the Broncos lead the nation in sacks allowed (five) and rank second in scoring (44.3 points per game), pass efficiency (166.06) and turnover margin (plus-19).

LIPPINCOTT OUT

Nevada running back Luke Lippincott will miss the Wolf Pack's bowl game with a broken toe, coach Chris Ault said Monday. Lippincott, a 1,000-yard rusher, tried to play through the injury against Boise State but received limited action.