Boise State Broncos College Football Pregame Quote, 12/26/2024

Q. What did you see from their defensive front?

MADDUX MADSEN: Their defensive front is obviously really good. Those guys move at an elite level for sure. You see all those guys that are big, big bodies, but the twitchiness they come and play with. They’re physical. They understand the physicality of the game and the speed of it.

But I do know that our front has excelled in that position. Physicality is something that Boise State is built on. So those guys will get after it and have a good week of practice to prepare for that.

Q. SMU saw the two pick sixes. Who do you think secures the ball all year? How careful do you have to be with the ball?

MADDUX MADSEN: It’s not something I’ve got to go into the game thinking: I can’t throw three interceptions or else we’re going to get blown out.

No, it’s my process. Like you mentioned, it’s something that I feel like I’ve done well all year, so why would I change that now in the position we’re in?

I know what’s got me here is trust in my teammates to make plays for me. I don’t have to be the superhero, so relying on what got me here because that’s obviously worked. And try not to be a superhero, just do my job every play.

Q. How do you feel just with the spotlight? This is probably the biggest game of your life to date, right?

MADDUX MADSEN: This is by far the biggest game I’ve ever played in. I’ve caught myself a lot of the times, just positive thoughts of it’s just another game to me. Like I said, you see all these guys that get amped up. I think you saw that in the first round of the playoffs. Different guys got completely amped up to what they’re not built to be.

Understanding that and kind of learning from that first round of the playoffs was a big deal for me. Obviously, I can look at that and just know that I can do my job and play the way I need to.

Q. You talked in August how that chip on your shoulder is always there and that’s kind of how you play. As a team, not a lot of folks are giving you much of a chance in this game, it seems like, nationally. Are you guys kind of thriving off that underdog role?

MADDUX MADSEN: 100%. Matt [Lauter] just talked about it. It’s what Boise State has essentially been built on. It’s crazy. I think it’s an 11point underdog kind of thing. Yeah, they’re good. They’re really good. But also, I know the Boise State Broncos are really good. The competition level is going to be extremely high with what’s at stake. I have a lot of trust in the guys in this building.

Q. I don’t think “disrespectful” is the right word. But when you see the point spread and hear people saying, I hope we don’t get more blowouts in round two with the matchups and all that stuff. Based on how good you think you are and what you have put on paper this year in terms of your record and how you’ve done, how do you react to the lack of people giving you guys a chance in this game?

MADDUX MADSEN: I kind of essentially knew that was going to come with the position we were going to be in. A lot of people like to count this Group of Five out. To me, we’re a different level of Group of Five. Our only loss is to a No. 1 [Oregon] ranked team in the country that’s undefeated.

I know, and everybody in this building knows, what we can bring to a football game and the level of football that we play at. I know everyone in this building is essentially going to be ready. I know they will.

Q. Penn State’s numbers against the run is really good. I think they allowed one 100-yard game all season. When you look at the teams you faced in the conference, what do they do differently that makes them so stout versus some of the other teams you faced?

MADDUX MADSEN: Honestly, when you look at Penn State compared to some of the conference games that we faced, it basically just comes down to the key point of tackling. Those guys can make one-on-one tackles, when essentially other places couldn’t. It’s not like they’re doing anything schematically that’s drastically different.

But those guys, they’re all athletes over there. They’re a very well coached defense. They’re in the right spot most of the time. Comparative to other teams that we’ve played, you kind of catch those guys out of position when Penn State really is not. Even when they are, they have the athletic ability to kind of make up for the loss of position.

Q. When is the first time that Dirk Koetter maybe expressed that he had confidence in what you can do, and even going back to your true freshman year here?

MADDUX MADSEN: I mean, my true freshman year, I remember -I think it was Nevada? I know I ended up playing in that game. I think that was the first game he kind of told me: Hey, you’re- going to be our backup quarterback.

I kind of knew we had a relationship where he could be honest, like: Hey, I know you’re in this spot and kind of run away from it.

But in terms of this year, I think it comes down to fall camp. It was kind of a little bit of a struggle. There were those days where I was like, oof, I don’t know if I want to do this anymore. But he came and grabbed me and was like -I- mean, he had all the confidence in the world in me. Hearing that from a guy with the knowledge and experience that he has obviously stuck with me.

Understanding that is kind of what strives me. I know he trusts me; and at the same time, I trust him, too. Honestly, I don’t know that I have trusted people before.

Q. How much do you trust Kage Casey?

MADDUX MADSEN: That’s one thing that people are always asking, especially this game. Those defensive ends that are really good, we’ve got the best tackle in college football. And he does an awesome job of preparing and physically understanding what guys are going to do and what they’re going to bring to the table.

It’s going to be kind of fun for him to go up against this opponent of a defensive line, because those guys are extremely talented, but so is Kage.

Q. Like you said with Dirk [Koetter], the experience he has and everything, is there something about him that stands out that he does that you didn’t really see from the coaches that might just be because of his years of experience?

MADDUX MADSEN: No, I wouldn’t say there’s something that extremely stands out. But it’s just the simplicity that I think, for me -and it’s helped -me -of what he teaches. Obviously, he’s taught it for so long. He understands where the ball is going to go on certain looks and certain stuff like that. Being taught in a simple way- has helped me immensely.

That’s one thing that I can mention. There’s obviously several things he brings to me and helps me, but that’s one thing for sure that I know helps me.

Q. You got a number of different offensive coordinators in your short time of being here. How crazy is it that most of it has now been with Dirk Koetter?

MADDUX MADSEN: It is crazy. Like you said, it is the most. But it’s a blessing for sure, and I think that’s kind of helped. A big part of the quarterback-coordinator relationship is what people kind of miss out on. So to be able to have that relationship with Coach [Dirk] Koetter where I can say certain things to him and he can say certain things to me, to where it’s putting our offense in the best position, is a huge deal.

Q. There’s only three quarterbacks in the history of this school that have started in this game, in the Fiesta Bowl. To be number four and then just to hopefully be the fourth to win it, I guess, you’re etching your name into the history of this program here. It’s a pretty strong history. What does this mean to you?

MADDUX MADSEN: You just mentioned the biggest part of it. The tradition of quarterback here itself is elite. And then you add for the Fiesta Bowl a whole other category is also elite.

Being able to be in this position is such a blessing. I know I’m going to look back on this 30 or 40 years from now and just honestly still be in disbelief I am in the position I am. I’m so grateful for it.

Q. What are you most proud of? What have you been able to accomplish individually for you this year, from being a first-time full-season starter?

MADDUX MADSEN: Personally, I’ve never tried to sell myself short of hard work. That’s something that I know I can look back on. Even those times if I’m struggling with certain things, I look back to those moments in the summer of myself of what I did with certain guys to kind of get myself better.

That’s where I’m proud of myself, because I know I came a long way in the way I prepare and what I do to try and put myself in a good position, not just for myself, but for the team.

Q. Like you said, you’ll be looking back in 30, 40 years to this week, the Fiesta Bowl. I would love to be sitting here at this time next year doing the same deal. What are you doing to take all this in? Are you just going day by day? How are you dealing with all this?

MADDUX MADSEN: Yeah, 100%. I think it’s just the topic of embracing what’s kind of here. I will say, I wish that we could just be in Arizona right now playing tomorrow, just because I want to be there. I was just home with my family at Christmas, and I was stoked to be back in Boise because of what’s ahead of it.

Previous years, we talked about how after the bowl game, we’re so excited to go home. But I want to be playing deep into January, just because of the love I have for this team. I know some people might want to say this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But I know the guys that are in this building and we’re just going to continue to work and get better as a program and stuff.

Like you said, 30, 40 years from now, it’s something I’m going to look back on and just be extremely blessed and know I was spoiled to be in that situation.

Q. Does the tournament style of this change things, too, where it may not be your last game? Seeing the bracket and seeing who wins and advances, just know if you win, there’s another opportunity. How does that change things?

MADDUX MADSEN: Like I just mentioned, it’s one of those things, you want to win a bowl game after you are done. That’s part of our goal here. But something you’re looking for after the bowl game is going home, because you don’t get to see them. But I don’t think anyone in this building has been excited to go home January 1st.

I know everyone is looking forward to playing football as long as we can. And that’s the glorious part of the landscape now, is just keep winning. It’s simple, just keep winning and you’ll play football as long as you possibly can until the season is over.

Q. Has there been a moment where you saw the patch on your jersey in your locker, has this kind of hit you yet?

MADDUX MADSEN: Yeah, 100%. Honestly, it’s one of those things that when we were sitting here on that Selection Sunday and expectations of what we were going to be in, obviously. But seeing it really hit me. It was like: Oh, my goodness. Like we just talked about the quarterbacks. I’m in that position where this is something not very many people get to do. And it’s come to real life. It’s awesome, and that was definitely one moment that hit me with reality for sure.

Q. To advance, is there something you think the offense needs to especially do well?

MADDUX MADSEN: Offensively, I know we play to our strengths already. And I know there’s certain guys that are on that whole page of playing to our strengths. I don’t think we try and do something that’s extremely out of the ordinary of being a superhero.

I know I just talked about it for myself, but it goes for the full offense as the pure trust we’ve built all year long, understanding it’s good enough to get us where we need to go and win a national championship.

Q. What did you do for Christmas? You said you’re looking forward to getting back, but how much did you appreciate a moment away here?

MADDUX MADSEN: It was awesome. I got to talk to a lot of people back home. Christmas is a big deal for me and just being around my family is essentially a big deal. That was really it, full of family time, playing games.

But there wasn’t really a moment that I was kind of away from Boise and football, which is something I’ve never really caught myself in. But I know the seriousness that I’ve prepared for all year is almost ten times more now, essentially just what’s at stake.

Q. Is it cool going back home? I’m assuming everyone is pretty excited to talk to you about you guys playing in a College Football Playoff and things like that.

MADDUX MADSEN: It is extremely cool. Everyone talks about it. I could go to different family events and everyone will find a time to talk about it, which is awesome. I had a good conversation with my dad about it. It’s just embracing the fact that I’m in this position. If I’m ever in this position again, I’ll regret shying away from even talking about it.

It is cool to see family, friends, and support back home that are cheering on just as much as Bronco Nation does.

Q. Maddux, when you came into Boise State three years ago, this whole expanded College Football Playoff thing was just coming into fruition. How much did that play a part in your mind when you came in? Like, hey, you could be in this situation here someday.

MADDUX MADSEN: It’s crazy, because when I was really essentially being recruited here, that was never in the talks. Kind of the last year of this whole expansion ‚Äì and obviously the conference realignment and certain things with the college football ‚Äì it’s cool to be in Boise, at a place I want to be, with the people I want to be around, and be able to be in the same opportunity as some people that are at bigger places, essentially.

Q. Your confidence has really helped this team this year. Where does that exactly come from? Has Dirk Koetter helped that at all? I know you’ve always been a confident guy, but what’s the root of that?

MADDUX MADSEN: I think coaching staff is a big deal. The words that they say to players have a very big impact, especially when it comes in terms of success and playing good. Those guys obviously do a great job.

But also just being able to sit and talk to my buddies, teammates, that instill all this confidence in me, I know it helps. Some people like to say confidence is completely built with just one person. But I know, honestly, I wouldn’t be at the position I am mentally, confidently, if it wasn’t for my guys.

Q. You said earlier that you feel like Kage Casey is the best tackle in college football. For Penn State fans who might not be familiar with him, what is it about him that makes you say that? What gives you the confidence that he can protect you against this defensive front, which not a lot of O-linemen have had success against this season?

MADDUX MADSEN: If very many people aren’t to know Kage Casey, if you’re walking around Boise downtown, you’d never really be able to tell this guy is as good as he is, because he’ll never talk about it. He’s one of the most humble beings. He’s quiet to a lot of people.

But physically, the ability he has to do what any other tackle in the country can do is elite. What he does at a high level of play is nothing I’ve really ever seen before. That’s where I kind of get my trust. The way that he practices and prepares makes me never really have to look back on this guy and be like: Oh, is he doing the right thing? Just because I know he wouldn’t put himself in a bad position to fail because he’s not doing the right thing. He’s going to do everything that he can to be the very best that he can for this team.

Q. A question about Ashton Jeanty. What makes him special as a player and as a teammate? How has his emergence kind of helped you develop your own game, being able to run play action and being able to really develop the passing game behind such a dominant runner?

MADDUX MADSEN: Ashton brings a whole other aspect to our offense. What he does is obviously insane. No one has ever seen it. He still is the best player in college football, in my opinion; in a lot of people’s.

But what he does just for the team and the level that he brings of leadership is a huge deal that sets him apart. But I also know from myself, what he does as a leader kind of makes a big difference to me, for sure.

Q. To piggyback off of that, is there anything about Ashton’s [Jeanty] game or anything about him as a person, on the field, off the field ‚Äì because, obviously, people have talked about him a ton. Is there anything about him that maybe has gone under the radar? Or an aspect of him that people should know about?

MADDUX MADSEN: I feel like everything that people need to know about Ashton Jeanty, people should know about Ashton Jeanty. There’s probably things I could say that might get him in trouble, so I’m going to keep those quiet.

No, I’m just kidding. Ashton is just a good dude. The way he makes people laugh is ‚Äì he brings a joy to the building, no matter what the mood, and then he can flip a switch and just be an elite savage.

Q. Coach [Dirk] Koetter said earlier this afternoon that the time off you’ve had scares him more than he thinks it might help you guys. As a player, what are you thoughts on that in terms of the balance of getting time off to get healthy and prepared versus the obvious fact that you haven’t been on the field in a game in a few weeks?

MADDUX MADSEN: Obviously, playing football every week is a big deal; and not playing for multiple weeks is obviously different. But I do know that the level of play that we’ve practiced, or the way that we’ve practiced, is different, too.

I also know that a break for certain guys is a big deal. To get multiple guys healthy and back playing is huge. But I also know that our team is not going to let multiple weeks of not playing a game change the way we play football. I know I’ve been able to see that through practice and through preparation of the way that guys are taking this extremely serious.

That’s not something I’m extremely worried about. But there obviously are, as a coach, some concerns that could be had. But I know our guys, and I trust our guys to be ready to go.