You’re stuck on I-84. The sun is dipping behind the Owyhee Mountains, and the kickoff clock is ticking. You could try to pull up a choppy video stream on your phone, but let's be real—the data signal in the canyon is spotty at best. This is exactly why boise state football on radio isn't just a backup plan; it’s a lifestyle for Bronco Nation.
There’s something about the gravelly, excited roar of a radio announcer that makes a 10-yard run feel like a life-altering event. It’s been that way since the days of Tony Knap, and it hasn't changed under Spencer Danielson. Whether you're tailgating in the shadow of Albertsons Stadium or camping up near McCall, that signal is your lifeline to the Blue.
The Flagship and the Voices You Know
If you’re looking for the heart of the broadcast, you’re looking for KBOI 670 AM. It’s the big dog. With 50,000 watts of power, this station carries the signal across massive stretches of Idaho and into neighboring states. It’s weirdly comforting to know that a signal from Boise can reach a rancher in Eastern Oregon or a fan driving through the Magic Valley.
Since 2022, the broadcast has also lived on KBOI-FM 93.1, giving fans that crisp FM sound for those who haven't touched an AM dial in a decade.
But a frequency is just a number without the people behind the mic. Bob Behler, the "Voice of the Broncos," has been the soundtrack of Boise State sports since 2008. He’s won more Broadcaster of the Year awards than most people have shoes. Beside him, you’ve got Pete Cavender. As a former Bronco offensive lineman (part of that legendary 2007 Fiesta Bowl squad), Cavender doesn’t just call the game; he feels it. He knows exactly what it's like to be in the trenches when the crowd is screaming.
The chemistry between these two is basically Boise’s version of a perfectly executed flea-flicker. Behler gives you the surgical precision of the play-by-play, while Cavender brings the "dirt-under-the-fingernails" perspective that only a guy who’s blocked for Ian Johnson can provide.
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The Bronco Sports Network: Where to Tune In
It’s a common mistake to think you can only hear the game in the Treasure Valley. The Bronco Sports Network is a sprawling web of affiliates. If you’re outside the 208 area code, or just on the edges of it, here is generally where you’ll find the game:
- Boise/Nampa: KBOI 670 AM / 93.1 FM (The Flagship)
- Boise Sports Talk: KTIK 95.3 FM / 1350 AM
- Twin Falls: KSNQ 98.3 FM
- Pocatello: KWIK 1240 AM
- Idaho Falls: KID 590 AM / 106.3 FM
- McCall: KDZY 98.3 FM
- St. Maries: KOFE 1240 AM
Honestly, signals can be fickle. If you’re deep in the Sawtooths, you might get static. But for the most part, the Learfield-managed network does a solid job of blanketing the state.
Why Digital Radio is the Secret Weapon
Sometimes the "old school" radio just doesn't cut it if you're living in, say, North Carolina or Florida. That’s where the digital side of boise state football on radio comes into play. You’ve got the Boise State Broncos Athletics App. It’s free. It’s easy. Mostly.
I’ll be honest: some fans complain about the 30-second delay on the stream compared to the live action. If you’re tracking the score on X (formerly Twitter) while listening to the app, you’re going to see the touchdown before you hear Bob Behler scream about it. It’s the "spoiler effect," and it’s the price we pay for technology.
Another pro tip? The Varsity Network app. It’s a Learfield product that carries almost every major college broadcast. It’s often more stable than individual station websites that can crash when 50,000 people try to listen to a Top 25 matchup at once.
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The Pre-Game Ritual: More Than Just Kickoff
The radio experience starts way before the coin toss. We're talking about a five-hour window of coverage. If you aren't listening to the pre-game show while you're flipping burgers on the grill, are you even a fan?
The local pre-game usually kicks off on KBOI with guys like Jeff Caves and Prater. They dive into the nitty-gritty: injuries, recruiting gossip, and why the Mountain West refs are (inevitably) going to miss a holding call.
Then there’s the Bronco Focus, a daily three-minute report Behler does throughout the week. It’s the appetizer for the main course. By the time the "Bronco Game Day" show hits the statewide network an hour before kickoff, the hype is usually at a fever pitch.
The Mystery of the "Sync"
Here is a trick for the true junkies. A lot of fans hate the TV announcers on national broadcasts. They’re often "east coast biased" or they mispronounce "Boise" (it’s BOY-SEE, not BOY-ZEE).
To fix this, people try to sync the boise state football on radio broadcast with the TV image. It’s a delicate art. You usually have to pause your DVR for about 5 to 10 seconds until the radio audio catches up to the picture. When you nail it? It’s glorious. You get the high-def picture with the hometown heart of Bob and Pete.
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Navigating the 2025-2026 Landscape
College sports is changing fast. With the new 12-team playoff and the constant conference realignment rumors, the way we consume games is shifting toward subscription services. But the radio remains the "public square."
One thing people get wrong is thinking SiriusXM carries every game. They don't. While Boise State shows up on SiriusXM (usually on the App-only channels or the "Mountain West" channel), it’s not a guarantee for every non-conference road trip. Always check the official BroncoSports.com "Game Day" page about 48 hours before the game to see exactly which satellite channel is carrying the blue and orange that week.
Actionable Steps for the Best Listening Experience
If you want to ensure you never miss a snap, don't wait until the kickoff to figure out your audio situation.
- Download Two Apps: Get both the Boise State Broncos Athletics app and The Varsity Network. If one buffers or lags, the other is your fallback.
- Check the Frequency: If you’re traveling through Idaho, save a screenshot of the affiliate list. Cell service dies on Highway 55, but the radio usually lives on.
- Invest in a Portable Radio: For the tailgaters, a simple battery-operated AM/FM radio is a godsend. It has zero delay, meaning you hear the crowd noise in the stadium at the exact same time it hits your ears through the speaker.
- Follow the Coaches' Shows: Don't forget the mid-week "Coach Spencer Danielson Show." It usually airs on Wednesdays or Thursdays on the flagship stations and gives you the context that makes the Saturday broadcast even better.
The beauty of boise state football on radio is the intimacy. You aren't just a viewer; you're part of a shared audio experience that connects a fan in a potato field in Idaho Falls to a fan in a high-rise in Boise. It’s the heartbeat of the program. Turn it up.