The Wiz of Odds

Eleven Months Later, Hout Gives His Side of Story

What did Boise State's Byron Hout say to Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount after the Broncos defeated the Ducks, 19-8, in last season's opener in Boise?

"'How 'bout that [blank]-whuppin'. That’s what I said," Hout told the Idaho Statesman.

Blount responded with a right hand to Hout's chin, and the linebacker was not allowed to talk to the media until last Friday.

"The whole incident was emotion," Hout said. "Emotions were running high from the game and I think that just carried over to the whole incident. I kind of learned that you can't let emotions do that anymore. You have to be in control of your emotions. A great football player is in control of his emotions out there. You can't just be out there running wild."

Moscow Bar Has Market Cornered on Vandal T-Shirts

Where there is controversy, there is cash.

The Corner Club bar in Moscow, hometown of the Idaho Vandals, has started selling "Nasty Inebriated" T-shirts after Boise State president Bob Kustra ripped the University of Idaho and its fans last week.

"We are pleased with the demand so far," owner Marc Trivelpiece wrote in an email to the Idaho Statesman.

Kustra told the editorial board of the Statesman last week that he was in favor of ending the 40-year-old series between the Broncos and Vandals. Playing in Moscow, he said, was simply beneath the Broncos.

"It's a culture that is nasty, inebriated and civilly doesn't give our fans the respect that any fan should expect when visiting an away team," he said.

Fiesta Bowl Brings Out the Stars

Is Boise State the best team in college football? An argument could be made for the Broncos after their 17-10 victory over Texas Christian in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz.

Here's a look at some of Monday night's action through the lens of Image of Sport. To view the complete gallery, click here.

Official Boise State Site Doesn't Know the Score

Something is slightly out of alignment here. Boise State finished 14-0 after a 17-10 victory over Texas Christian, but somehow the record became the score on the Broncos' official site. Thanks to Dave.

Welcome to Boise State Broncos, Inc.

Boise State fans will soon be able to take stock in their team.

Athletic director Gene Bleymaier announced Wednesday that his department is forming Boise State Broncos, Inc., a program that will allow fans to buy shares of athletic department stock.

A total of 200,000 shares will be available at a cost of $100 per share. The $20 million raised will be used to renovate facilities.

In return, shareholders will receive a stock certificate, voting privileges and will be invited to the annual shareholder meeting. It's all legal because the organization will be a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) corporation. Shareholders will not receive dividends and the stock does not appreciate.

The program is modeled after one used in 1997 by the Green Bay Packers, the NFL's only publicly owned team. The Packers raised nearly $24 million by selling more than 105,000 new shares in the team.

"This program worked tremendously for the Green Bay Packers, and we think it can work for us." Bleymaier said.

Idaho Athletic Director Saw Trouble on Horizon

Idaho athletic director Rob Spear was scheduled to fly Tuesday from Moscow to Boise to attend booster functions before Saturday's Idaho-Boise State game. Upon his arrival at the airport, he learned that the plane taking him to Boise was Horizon's new Boise State-themed Q400.

"I went to the counter and asked to fly out of Spokane instead," said Spear, who then drove over two hours to Spokane.

Spear arrived late to his appointments but his decision was applauded by Vandal faithful.

"I want to be clear this wasn't meant as a disrespect for Boise State, I just told the Horizon people that I would fly on that plane only after they paint an Idaho plane too."

Thanks to Ryan.