Dirk Koetter believed in Maddux Madsen. That ‘trust’ led Boise State to new heights
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Boise State in the College Football Playoff
The Broncos played Penn State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal Fiesta Bowl in Arizona on Dec. 31, 2024.
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Boise State offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter loves to remind people that he always believed in quarterback Maddux Madsen.
He was back at it again on Thursday afternoon during a press conference ahead of Boise State’s trip to Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl against Penn State: “No one except for me in this room thought that he was going to be a good college quarterback,” Koetter proclaimed.
Koetter may not have been the only person to believe in Madsen, but he could have been one of the few at the start of the season.
Madsen took over for starting quarterback Taylen Green last season, only to get injured in his first start, against New Mexico. Green then led the Broncos to a Mountain West championship, only to enter the transfer portal and wind up at Arkansas.
In spring practice this year, with Madsen still recovering from knee surgery, former five-star recruit and USC transfer Malachi Nelson got a chance to audition for the job, and played well in the spring game. But then fall camp came, and Madsen won out.
Nelson now is looking to leave Boise State, and Madsen has guided the Broncos to a 12-1 record and berth in the College Football Playoff. No. 3 seed Boise State (12-1) will take on No. 6 Penn State (12-2) on New Years’ Eve in Glendale, Arizona, in the Fiesta Bowl.
Madsen, a three-star recruit out of Utah, has repeatedly proved himself during his redshirt sophomore year. Junior running back Ashton Jeanty, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, has received the national plaudits, but Madsen has been the man under center running the show.
He has 22 touchdown passes and just three interceptions, and also has rushed for five TDs, while being the team’s second-leading rusher. Madsen has completed 62% of his passes (224-for-361) for 2,714 yards.
“(Madsen) is a hard worker, and obviously he works his tail off,” junior tight end Matt Lauter said. “But at the same time, we trust that he’s able to operate our offense at the highest level.”
‘I like his moxie’
Two years ago, during Madsen’s true freshman year, Koetter was an offensive analyst and then became interim offensive coordinator after Tim Plough was fired. Green was the starting quarterback, but Koetter was already liking what he saw from Madsen.
“I love the way he carries himself,” Koetter said. “I like his moxie, I like his confidence.”
Madsen remembers when Koetter told him he would be the primary backup quarterback for the first time. It was at Nevada, a game the Broncos won 41-3, and Madsen made his debut — he completed 3-for-4 passes for 43 yards.
Ever since then, Madsen said what’s stuck out about Koetter and what’s helped him the most develop as a quarterback is the veteran coach’s ability to explain things simply.
“What he teaches, obviously, he’s taught it for so long, and he understands where the ball is going to go on certain looks, and certain stuff like that,” Madsen said. “And so being taught in a simple way has helped me immensely.”
Koetter couldn’t help but poke fun at Madsen on Thursday, too, saying he wished Madsen were as tall as Penn State’s 6-foot-5 quarterback Drew Allar. Madsen is only 5-10.
But that little joke showed the level of relationship the coach and player have. Madsen said Thursday that they were able to “be honest” with each other ever since his freshman year.
Madsen said he struggled some during fall camp, and Koetter helped put him on the right path.
“He came and grabbed me, and he had all the confidence in the world in me,” Madsen said. “And hearing that from a guy with the knowledge and experience that he has obviously stuck with me.
“And so understanding that is what drives me. And I know he trusts me, and at the same time, I trust him.”
Fiesta Bowl, Boise State vs. Penn State
When: 5:30 p.m. Mountain time Tuesday, Dec. 31
Where: State Farm Stadium (63,400, natural grass)
TV: ESPN
Radio: KBOI 670 AM and KBOI 93.1 FM (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender)
Records: Boise State 12-1; Penn State 12-2
Series: First meeting
Vegas line: Penn State by 10.5 points
Weather: Indoors
This story was originally published December 27, 2024 at 4:00 AM.
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