Boise State Broncos College Football Pregame Quote, 12/29/2024

Q. Is there anyone that stands out to you?

MADDUX MADSEN: Obviously, Abdul Carter is a guy that’s legit. Seeing No. 41 [Kobe King] play, he’s legit. And even their safety, No. 1 [Jaylen Reed], he’s legit, too, when it comes to playing ball.

Q. You have a pretty good defensive line as well. Do you think that helps prepare you for a game like this?

MADDUX MADSEN: We have been going up against one of the better defensive lines all year. And being able to go through camp against those guys has been awesome, and I think it has prepared us for what we have to do.

Q. What do you think a win on Tuesday would do just for the program in general?

MADDUX MADSEN: I think for the program, it’s a little stamping. The first College Football Playoff berth here, you earn the Semifinal and it’s huge for the program. But the Group of Five itself, being in the position we are in, is huge.

Q. I have to ask you about Ashton [Jeanty]. What has he meant to the team this season?

MADDUX MADSEN: Obviously, he’s elite in what he does. He’s extremely different. I think he brings another aspect of leadership. And that component to the team is huge. He doesn’t shy far away from doing things that other people wouldn’t, just because of the person he is and the position he’s in. He always does the right thing, no matter the position he’s in.

Q. Take us back to the beginning of the season when you win the starting job, either the pressure or the privilege that was in front of you, knowing the talent that existed.

MADDUX MADSEN: Obviously winning the job was huge. Also, just kind of understanding that this team is going to go places, go far, was also -and being in the position I am and to assist- in that.

So obviously, I’m extremely grateful for everyone around me and the position they put me in to be where this team is.

Q. “Count us out” phrase has become rather popular. It fits who you are as well. How have you embraced that throughout not just this team but your journey at quarterback?

MADDUX MADSEN: Yeah, obviously, I have been counted out my whole life is how I looked at it. To bring it to the team, the position we are in, I feel it’s super cool to see. I know the team’s mentality has taken that on full force.

And so, this team is awesome. And to show that kind of phrase is also a very big deal to me, just because I have been counted out my whole life. This team has been overlooked in many scenarios. To be in this position and to be counted out, it’s amazing to me.

Q. How have you prepared yourself for this stage that you will see on Tuesday?

MADDUX MADSEN: Obviously, this is probably the biggest game I have ever played in thus far, and so preparing mentally is a big deal to me. It’s something that most people don’t see. For myself, it’s just another game. I’m not going to let myself get too riled up.

Q. What does that look like? How do you prepare yourself mentally?

MADDUX MADSEN: Mentally, I’m a real chiller in the music I’m doing. And I’m not wasting time doing fun hobbies at this point. It’s serious football and chilling and watching football and kind of listening to music. I love to watch film and just listen to calm music, because it’s something I know will help me.