Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier was unavailable for the No. 21-ranked Broncos' 51-17 home loss to No. 9 BYU on Friday, marking the second consecutive game that he missed for undisclosed reasons.
Junior Jack Sears, a transfer out of USC, started in Bachmeier's place but left in the first quarter with an apparent concussion. He was replaced by freshman Cade Fennegan, who finished 15-of-26 for 182 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Freshman Andy Peters also saw the field
Sears led the Broncos to a 49-30 win at Air Force last week. Sears, who started one game for USC in 2018, completed 17 of 20 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns in the victory, showing a strong command of an offense he wasn't familiar with until the summer.
Boise State coach Bryan Harsin, per his own policy, did not give local reporters any indication of Bachmeier's availability during the week. The team was without four players Friday because of protocols related to COVID-19, the school announced.
The game is one of four matchups between ranked teams in college football this weekend, and it could play an important role in both teams' quest to reach a New Year's Six bowl game.