Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier did not travel for the Broncos' 49-30 win at Air Force on Saturday. No reason was provided for his absence.
Junior Jack Sears, a transfer from Southern California, started in his place and went 17-of-20 for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Sears also rushed for a touchdown.
Boise State coach Bryan Harsin has a policy of not discussing the status or availability for any player when it comes to injuries, COVID-19 or any other reasons, except when a player suffers a season-ending injury.
"I think easiest way to treat everything on these injuries or guys being out is just being consistent that way," Harsin said. "[Sears] was in the last game plan and honestly his role changed. He was starting this game, but I think his preparation to be the starter -- and I think in Jack's mind that's really how he prepares is to go out there and start because you're one play away.
"As the week went on, it became apparent he would start for us."
When asked about a report from the CBS Sports Network broadcast that said Sears knew he would play on Tuesday, Harsin said he didn't tell Sears that and was unaware where that came from.
"This is such an unusual year with so many different things, and that's part of what we're dealing with," the coach said. "It's not a normal season when you kinda know going into each and every week what's going to be the case for your players and the situation you're going to be in."
Sears, who didn't arrive in Boise until the summer after graduating from USC, connected on a 75-yard touchdown on the Broncos' first play from scrimmage.
"It's been kind of a whirlwind summer and fall, but Coach Harsin always talks about how great ones adjust and how you respond to adversity when things don't go right," Sears said. "So, I think the coaching staff has done a phenomenal job reaching out making sure we were getting meetings through Zoom before we were allowed back in the facilities. Once we were back in the facilities, we were rolling. We were ready to go. They were getting us prepared like we were having a season even when they said we weren't going to."
Sears made one start for USC in 2018, a 38-35 loss against Arizona State, before transferring. He completed 20 of 28 passes in that game for 235 yards with two touchdowns.
In the Broncos' 42-13 win against Utah State last week, Bachmeier completed 20 of 28 passes for 268 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Bachmeier threw for 1,879 yards as a true freshman last season. His status for next week's game against BYU is unclear.