Jordan Beasley
On the field, Boise State Football is 5-1, including 3-0 at Albertsons Stadium and 2-0 in conference play. After dropping the season opener to Oregon, a nationally ranked team at the time, the Broncos have won five-straight contests, outscoring their opponents by 83 points. Thus far, the team has won four games by at least two touchdowns and is currently ranked in the top-25 in both the AP and Coaches Poll.
Among the notable on-field statistics this season, Boise State ranks top 10 nationally in several key categories. The Broncos, who lead the nation in time of possession (36:41), have turned the ball over only three times (tied for fifth fewest in the country) and are equipped with the ninth-best rushing attack (234.5 ypg) in the NCAA.
As is evident with the weekly national rankings, Boise State is highly regarded and widely respected in the college football landscape. Rising two spots in both polls on Sunday, the Broncos are seeking their second trip to the 12-team College Football Playoff and are in prime position to represent the six G6 conferences.
The team’s success through six games is quite impressive, but not altogether shocking to those in the know. Also of no surprise is the Broncos’ immense desire to serve the Boise community. In fact, the foundation and fabric of Boise State Football is built on the high character and care of the coaches, players and staff who view serving as a personal responsibility.
From top to bottom, the Broncos’ roster is littered with student-athletes who are eager to put others first and showcase the essence of a servant’s heart.
“This is a phenomenal group of young men that I’m thankful to be around every day,” said head coach Spencer Danielson during a recent press conference. “I’ve never said, ‘Hey guys, if you score a touchdown, you should give to charity.’ I’ve never brought it up. There are multiple guys doing things for charity that I had nothing to do with. It’s all them, and they deserve all the credit.”
JASON STEELE, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN — THE IDAHO FOODBANK
From Southern California, Jason Steele is a senior offensive lineman who has appeared in 26 games during his collegiate career, including all six (2 starts) in 2026. Providing support on the interior of the line, Steele is part of a unit that has helped the offense average 35 points per contest while surrendering the 10th-fewest sacks on a per game basis.
The son of two educators, and one-of-three children, family has always been a huge part of Steele’s life. When asked to describe the tight-knit family of five, Steele said he has two amazing parents and two brothers whom he loves dearly.
A three-time Mountain West Scholar-Athlete and a two-time Academic All-MW selection, Steele is a health science major. Nearing the completion of his undergraduate degree, Steele is taking a capstone course that requires him to complete a project involving public health.
With a love for family at the center of his heart, and the holiday season right around the corner, Steele knew exactly how he wanted to give back to the Boise community. Aided by Lou Major, Boise State’s assistant athletic director of football external affairs, Steele is currently organizing and executing a canned food drive.
“I’ve always wanted to show my gratitude and give back to this community, and I felt a canned food drive leading into Thanksgiving would be great,” Steele said. “I’ve always wanted to serve the less fortunate, and being able to impact an underserved population who can use the assistance means the world to me.”
As Thanksgiving vastly approaches, Steele is accepting donations through Monday, Nov. 23. Around the city, there are four locations where people can drop off canned goods and non-perishable food items:
Bleymaier Football Center — 1185 W. Cesar Chavez Ln, Boise, ID 83706 | Verdant CrossFit East — 3243 S. Federal Way (Suite B), Boise, ID 83705 | Verdant CrossFit Downtown — 528 S. Americana Blvd., Boise, ID 83702 | Mountain View High School — 2000 S. Millennium Way, Meridian, ID 83642
Supported by his girlfriend, who has been instrumental throughout the entire food drive, Steele knows the exact number of canned goods he’d like to donate and where they can best be used.
“My goal is 300 cans of food that we can donate to the Idaho Foodbank,” Steele said. “I know they will be super appreciative of that, and I know they will do a great job at distributing it to those in need.”
Growing up, Steele used to volunteer at a food bank, located in his hometown at a small church. Through firsthand knowledge and experience, Steele is acutely aware of the profound impact a food bank has on individual families and the community at large.
In the short term, Steele is doing his part to ensure that families are fed in time for Thanksgiving. But as an aspiring physician assistant, helping and serving others is his lot in life.
“There’s something that really resonates with me with this kind of work,” said Steele. “It truly fills my cup.”
OSCAR DOYLE, PUNTER — ST. LUKE’S CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
From the offensive line to the third phase of football, there’s no shortage of Boise State student-athletes who desire to do for others. In this case, the servitude comes from a specialist.
Though Boise State hasn’t punted much this season, each one serves as an opportunity to donate to the health and well-being of the youth in Boise. Inspired by younger family members who have battled and beat cancer, punter Oscar Doyle knows the hardships that families endure when seeking treatment for their children.
“I’ve had two younger cousins go through the process of chemo, and they inspired me to work with a children’s hospital,” Doyle said. “St. Luke’s is the only children’s hospital in Idaho, so a lot of people go there for treatment. I understand firsthand how hard it is for families and what they go through to get their children treated.”
The most successful punt a punter can have is one that lands inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Playing his part in serving the community, Doyle is donating money for every punt that lands deep in opposition territory.
“At first, I was going to do $20 dollars for every punt inside the 20 to get the mojo,” said Doyle. “Then, I felt like I could do a bit more than that. I felt $50 dollars coming out of my pocket for each one was alright.”
It’s a great problem to have, but with the Broncos’ efficiency on offense this season, Doyle has only punted 16 times through six games, a 2.67 average per contest. Out of the 16 punts he’s executed, Doyle has landed five (31.3%) inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Given the limited number of attempts, that percentage is a worthy number for a college punter.
Boise State’s offense isn’t necessarily clamoring for Doyle to have more punting opportunities, per se, but if necessary, he’s more than capable of flipping the field and pinning the opposing team deep in their own territory. Last season, Doyle had 17 such punts during the 14-game slate, which would have equated to $850 dollars had his donation been in effect in 2025.
For a punter, it’s all about execution and field position and Doyle has been punting in better positions because of how well the offense is performing. Scoring at least 32 points in each of the last five games will certainly limit the number of opportunities.
Entering the season, Doyle hoped to donate $1,000 dollars, but to reach that mark, he’d have to land 15 more punts inside the 20 with only six guaranteed games remaining. Fortunately, word has spread, and individuals within the community have stepped up to match Doyle’s donations.
That said, if the Broncos are fortunate enough to advance to the Pac-12 Championship and play in a bowl game, Doyle has plans to up his contribution in those contests. If you are keeping track, Boise State is one win away from being guaranteed a bowl game.
Transferring from Weber State by way of Brisbane, Australia, Doyle had no significant ties to the community prior to stepping foot on campus. However, after visiting St. Luke’s and making Boise his home the past two years, supporting the city in this way was a no-brainer.
“The Boise community has welcomed me with open arms and this place is awesome,” Doyle said. “I wanted to give back somehow, someway, and the biggest thing was finding something that was meaningful to myself but also meaningful to the community here.”
WR BEN FORD & TE MATT WAGNER — RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
Veteran leadership is a meaningful ingredient for any successful team, and between wide receiver Ben Ford and tight end Matt Wagner, the Broncos have two players with a combined 10 years of experience at Boise State.
Ford, a local kid from Eagle, Idaho, is in his sixth year with the Broncos, while Wagner, a native of Prosper, Texas, was part of the team’s 2023 signing class. Both players have represented the program admirably on the field and in the classroom, but not to be forgotten are their contributions in the community.
As part of their respective Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals with Lithia Ford, a sponsor and partner of Boise State Athletics, Ford and Wagner are using individual and team success as a conduit to donate to Ronald McDonald House Idaho. And for every dollar donated by the duo, Lithia Ford is graciously matching at 100 percent.
Supporting families for over 50 years, there are nearly 400 Ronald McDonald House programs spread across 60 countries. Essentially, Ronald McDonald House Idaho provides resources and services to help remove barriers for families with injured or ill children. Serious about donating to a worthy cause, Ford and Wagner took it upon themselves to visit, and both walked away with the same conclusion.
“Ronald McDonald House has an immense impact on families within the community who are struggling,” said Wagner. “There are a lot of families and children who are struggling with things that are beyond their control, and with those things, money is often an issue. Ronald McDonald House provides housing for families and takes care of them. They have so many necessary resources available, and it was truly awesome to witness it.”
Working exclusively with Lithia Ford General Manager Jim Sterk and Business Development and Marketing Manager Jamie Drake, Ford and Wagner wanted to do more than visit. They wanted to spearhead a fundraiser while adding a financial component that would best serve families in need.
Serving others is a point of emphasis for both men, but for Ford, giving back to a community where he was born, raised and has roots means even more.
“Boise is a tight-knit community that has people who pour into one another,” Ford said. “I’ve experienced that throughout my entire life, and being able to contribute and use the game of football to do so is a huge blessing.”
Admirably returning to the field after multiple significant knee injuries, Ford has 12 receptions and two touchdowns this year, after a five-touchdown season a year ago that was cut short. With uncertainty surrounding his availability and how he’d play this season, Ford wanted his donation to be tied to team success.
With that in mind, Ford and Lithia Ford are combining to donate $300 dollars for every Boise State win this season. Six games in, the Broncos have amassed five victories, meaning $1,500 has been donated to this point.
“Team wins matter most, and that was the most important statistic in my mind,” said Ford. “With the injuries I’ve had, I wasn’t exactly sure what my season would be like this year, so I didn’t want to base it off how I would come back and perform individually. I wanted to base it off how the team performed and what we’re able to achieve on the field this year.”
A leader by example, and the only sixth-year player on the roster, Ford proudly showcases the Boise State standard to the young guys and illustrates through action what it means to be a Bronco.
Entering his senior year, Wagner was confident that he’d have a productive season, given the utmost trust he has in the coaching staff and the role they’ve played in his development since 2023. With that thinking, Wagner decided to donate $100 dollars per reception and $500 dollars per touchdown.
What was harder to predict was the career year he’s on pace for. Well on his way to career highs in every major statistical category, Wagner has totaled 22 catches for 242 yards (11.0 avg.) with four touchdowns in six games played.
Doing quick math, Wagner is set to donate $4,200 dollars of his own money, and with Lithia Ford’s match, that number rises to $8,400 dollars. Planning to donate $15,000 dollars in total, Wagner is well on his way to hitting that number and flying past it.
“It’s a blessing, and truth be told, I never thought it would be as successful as it has been,” Wagner said.” “We’re going to keep working hard to push that number forward. It speaks to the process and trusting the process at Boise State while always continuing to develop.”
Two of the Broncos’ unquestioned leaders are stepping up in a way that is consistent with the example set forth by Director of Athletics Jeramiah Dickey, Head Coach Spencer Danielson and the entire coaching staff. Whether it’s a food drive, a donation to the local children’s hospital or caring for families in need, there’s an expectation and a standard, and the 2026 Broncos are the latest group in upholding it.
“It goes back to the legacy that has been built here for so long,” Ford said. “We’re a bunch of blue-collar guys with a tireless work ethic who desire to use their platform to give. It speaks to the sustainable culture that’s been upheld by the players and coaches who have been associated with this program throughout the years.”