Taylen Green’s role is changing, but Boise State QB is ’3,000% about the right things’
Redshirt sophomore Taylen Green has started 15 straight games at quarterback for the Boise State football team.
But that streak could come to an end Saturday when the Broncos turn to a two-QB system against San Jose State. Head coach Andy Avalos announced Monday that Green and redshirt freshman Maddux Madsen would share time against the Spartans, but it’s not known who will be in there on the first series.
According to coaches and players, Green has handled the change in stride.
“He’s a stud, and I think you guys know that, man,” Boise State offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan said. “I know it was a hard conversation with him. ... I mean, there’s no blaming, there’s no complaining. Obviously it’s not something any everyday starter wants to hear, but that guy’s 3,000% about the right things.
“I think a critical thing for him, too, is he’s playing on Saturday. He’s going out there and he’s gotta be ready to roll, and he will. But obviously it’s never just easy news to hear that somebody else is taking some reps, too.”
Boise State did not make Green available to the media this week, but his demeanor at practice appeared unchanged. Green seemed to be his same, upbeat self. While waiting between drills Wednesday inside the Caven-Williams indoor facility, Green danced with running back Ashton Jeanty as music blared. He also posed for pictures with fans on social media with a bright smile on his face.
Jeanty, who is Green’s roommate, said he is doing his best to make sure the QB keeps his chin up.
“All I can do is just keep motivating him, keep staying in his ear, keep talking to him, uplifting him,” Jeanty said. “It’s not easy for your role to change in the middle of the season, so I’m just gonna keep talking to him and make sure that his confidence is up, because obviously we still need him. He’s a great player for us.”
As would be expected, players sang the praises of both quarterbacks during interviews this week and expressed no apprehension about the change. But finding success while rotating QBs can be a difficult thing to navigate.
“There has never been any drop-off with either of them coming in,” Boise State left guard Mason Randolph said. “They do a good job of showing up and doing what they need to do, day-in, day-out, every rep, trying to be as consistent as possible.”
In four appearances this season, Madsen is 22-for-32 passing for 319 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. His completion percentage stands at 68.75% with a QB rating of 193.74.
Green is 70-for-133 (52.63%) for 938 yards and four touchdowns, with four interceptions. He has rushed 35 times for 213 yards and two more scores.
“You have to prepare for both of them, because they’re both really good,” San Jose State coach Brent Brennan said during a news conference earlier this week. “They’re both different, so you don’t have a choice. ... I would anticipate seeing both of them.”
Broncos near sellout
As of Thursday afternoon, only 150 tickets remained for Saturday’s Mountain West game against San Jose State, according to a Boise State spokesperson.
Capacity at Albertsons Stadium is 36,363. Attendance was announced at 36,447 for the home opener against UCF and 35,610 for the win over North Dakota.
SAN JOSE STATE AT BOISE STATE
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Albertsons Stadium (36,363, FieldTurf), Boise
TV: CBS Sports Network (Rich Waltz, Aaron Taylor, Tiffany Blackmon)
Radio: KBOI 670 AM/93.1 FM (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender)
Records: Boise State 2-3, 1-0 MW; San Jose State 1-4, 0-1 MW
Series: Boise State leads the series 14-1, but their last meeting was a 34-20 SJSU win in the 2020 Mountain West championship game.
Vegas line: Boise State by 9.5
Weather: High of 79, 3% chance of rain, 5 mph wind
This story was originally published October 5, 2023 at 4:25 PM.
