BOISE, Idaho — Boise State players will no longer sport their all-blue uniforms for conference games on Bronco Stadium's iconic blue turf, the result of a concession school officials say they made last year as part of the team's entrance into the Mountain West Conference.
League Commissioner Craig Thompson said Tuesday during the league meeting that coaches believe Boise State gets a competitive edge when players wear blue helmets, jerseys and pants at home.
The Broncos have worn all blue at home for several years and built a 77-2 record and a 32-game winning streak on their home turf since 1999.
Coach Chris Petersen says his team intends to wear the signature all-blue uniforms for nonconference games against Tulsa and Nevada, but he finds the restriction for league games silly and an erosion of the team's identity.
"It's a tragedy of college football," Petersen told The Idaho Statesman. "I thought it was ridiculous. That's our colors. That's who we are. That's who our fans have wanted us to be since I've been at Boise State. That's what it's been through and through."
Petersen also notes the rule doesn't apply to schools that wear all green uniforms and play on green turf or natural grass, like Colorado State or Hawaii.
The Broncos have other fashion options for home games — gray, orange or white jerseys and white pants. Team officials will have to apply for an NCAA waiver if they opt to don white jerseys at home.
"We have some combinations, and we'll have to use them," Petersen said.
Boise State's blue advantage has never been scientifically proven. But opposing coaches and players for years have complained about difficulties watching game film and tracking nuances in Boise State's pre-snap movements. Petersen argues the use of high-definition cameras and film has remedied any visual challenges, but the league's members and commissioner aren't buying it.
"What we heard from our coaches is 'a competitive advantage.' It's as simple as that," Thompson said.
Broncos players have always enjoyed the all-blue uniforms and smirked when asked if it gives the team an edge. But ultimately, players like safety George Iloka understand clothes don't make winners.
"I was getting tired of the blue-on-blue sometimes," Iloka said. "It doesn't affect us. We're just going to line up and play."
Boise State's first conference home game is Oct. 22 against Air Force.