Northwest Notes Dec. 16, 2020
WHL announces delay to start of 2020-21 season
The Spokane Chiefs will begin their season even later than planned.
The Western Hockey League announced Tuesday it will delay the start of the 2020-21 regular season, and following further consultation with regional health authorities, the Board of Governors will meet in January to consider potential start dates.
With public health restrictions in place across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, the WHL said it is not in a position to start its regular season as planned on Jan. 8.
The Chiefs' season usually begins in late September.
“We continue to make every effort to get our season started, but our first priority has always been the health and safety of our players, and everyone associated with the WHL,” WHL commissioner Ron Robison said. “Given the public health restrictions that are currently in effect, we are not in a position to determine a new target date for our season. We will continue to consult with health authorities to determine when it is safe and responsible to get our season started.”
Patchin steps down as radio voice of Idaho football
Dennis Patchin, the radio play-by-play voice of Idaho football for the past five seasons, announced Tuesday he is relinquishing those duties, citing his new job as sports director at SWX/KHQ.
"I had a great run and loved Vandal fans and the passion for their team," Patchin tweeted. " ... Didn’t want to do it but it was the best for me and my family. ... I hope you enjoyed the broadcast because let me be honest — I had twice as much fun doing them as you did listening to them."
Due to COVID-19, Idaho's fall 2020 football schedule was pushed to spring 2021. The Vandals are scheduled to open their six-game, all-Big Sky Conference schedule Feb. 27 vs. Northern Colorado.
Williams, Shakir headline
Boise State's all-Mountain West honorees
Boise State placed 15 players on the all-Mountain West football team, combining for a league-high 17 All-Mountain West honors.
The list includes redshirt senior Avery Williams, who, in addition to picking up three first-team all-conference awards was also named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year for the second-straight season, the league office announced Tuesday.
Williams, a cornerback and return specialist, swept his nominations, earning first-team all-league accolades at defensive back, punt returner and kick returner, in addition to his player of the year award. Prior to the 2019 season, Boise State had never had a student-athlete earn a conference special teams player of the year award, and Williams has now done it in back-to-back seasons.
Junior wide receiver Khalil Shakir also picked up first-team all-conference honors.
Boise State had a pair of second-team all-league honorees on offense in linemen John Ojukwu, a redshirt junior, and Jake Stetz, a redshirt senior, and four on defense — redshirt junior defensive end Shane Irwin, senior linebacker Riley Whimpey, senior nickel Kekaula Kaniho and redshirt senior cornerback Jalen Walker.
Picking up honorable mention all-conference honors for Boise State were fifth-year senior tight end John Bates, redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Garrett Curran, freshman kicker Jonah Dalmas, redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Scott Matlock, redshirt junior linebacker Ezekiel Noa, senior wide receiver CT Thomas and junior running back Andrew Van Buren.
Boise State plays San Jose State on Saturday (1:15 p.m., KAYU) in Las Vegas in the Mountain West Championship Game.
Boise State men's basketball Mountain West TV selections announced
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Boise State's men's basketball team was selected for national television in 18 of its 20 Mountain West games this season, the conference announced Tuesday. The Broncos will appear on FS1 and CBS Sports Network nine times each during league play.
With the selections, three of Boise State's conference series shifted dates. The home series against Fresno State will now take place Jan. 20 and 22. The home games against Utah State are now set for Feb. 17 and 19. Boise State's road games against Colorado State will be played Jan. 27 and 29.
Game times for contests beyond this month have not yet been finalized. They will be announced as they are determined.
The two remaining conference games can still be selected by digital broadcast partner, Stadium, or a local television outlet. Broadcast information for those games, Dec. 31 at San Jose State and Jan. 8 at home against Air Force, will be announced in the near future.
Boise State Men's Basketball National TV Schedule
Monday, Dec. 21 vs. New Mexico, FS1 (6:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, Dec. 23 v.s New Mexico, CBSSN (7 p.m.)
Saturday, Jan. 2 at San Jose State, FS1 (TBA)
Wednesday, Jan. 6 vs. Air Force, FS1 (TBA)
Monday, Jan. 11 at Wyoming, CBSSN (TBA)
Wednesday, Jan. 13 at Wyoming, CBSSN (TBA)
Wednesday, Jan. 20 vs. Fresno State, FS1 (TBA)
Friday, Jan. 22 vs. Fresno State, CBSSN (TBA)
Wednesday, Jan. 27 at Colorado State, CBSSN (TBA)
Friday, Jan. 29 at Colorado State, FS1 (TBA)
Friday, Feb. 5 at Nevada, FS1 (TBA)
Sunday, Feb. 7 at Nevada, FS1 (TBA)
Thursday, Feb. 11 vs. UNLV, CBSSN (TBA)
Saturday, Feb. 13 vs. UNLV, FS1 (TBA)
Wednesday, Feb. 17 vs. Utah State, CBSSN (TBA)
Friday, Feb. 19 vs. Utah State, FS1 (TBA)
Thursday, Feb. 25 at San Diego State, FS1 (TBA)
Saturday, Feb. 27 at San Diego State, CBSSN (TBA)