BOISE, Idaho — It sounds like a movie title, “Austin Pettis, Playmaker.” The credit goes to Boise State coach Chris Petersen, who described the talented junior that way after a 48-0 beating of Miami (Ohio) on Saturday night at Bronco Stadium.

Pettis does so many positive things on the field that “Playmaker” would be an appropriate title for his highlight film.
Pettis made several more big plays Saturday, with the biggest coming on a special teams play that woke up what had been a lethargic Broncos’ offense. He blocked a punt in the final minute of the first half that set up a touchdown that essentially put the game out of reach for the RedHawks.
“There’s not a bigger play in football than a blocked kick,” Petersen said. “You don’t see a lot of them. There’s a tremendous momentum swing and energy boost, and I think you saw it there. We were needing to make something happen.”
Pettis also finished with four catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. It was the third 100-yard receiving game of his career and the touchdown — a 17-yard grab on a third-and-16 play that put the Broncos ahead 7-0 — was his 17th in 27th games. The school record for receiving touchdowns is 30 by Don Hutt, who played from 1970-73.
Wide receivers coach Brent Pease isn’t surprised at how much Pettis contributes. He also is the holder on extra points, though he wasn’t holding on the Broncos’ missed PAT on Saturday.
“I think he’s one of the best athletes on the team and he’s kind of grown into it, doing a good job of working and making himself that type of player and a playmaker,” Pease said. “He’s a kid who can handle pressure and handle a lot of stuff. He’s turning into a very special player.” In addition to Pettis, Pease was pleased with the production of Tyler Shoemaker. The Mountain View High product caught three passes for 55 yards and a touchdown.
“Shoe is so smart and he can play every position,” Pease said. “... He’s become an explosive player. I’m as confident about his hands as I am of Austin’s. I’ve got a lot of trust in him. He can kind of be the versatile guy and we can do some things with him like you saw tonight.”