Broncos Seek Explosive Special Teams Returns

Boise State coordinator believes team was close to big plays in 2025 season.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:52am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic motion and energy of a college football kickoff return, with overlapping planes of bright blue, orange, and green.Boise State's special teams unit aims to create more game-changing plays through an upgraded return game in 2026.Boise Today

Boise State special teams coordinator Stacy Collins believes the Broncos were close to breaking away for big plays on kick and punt returns multiple times last season, and the team is looking to add more explosive playmaking ability to their special teams units in 2026.

Why it matters

Special teams can often be the difference-maker in close college football games, and the Broncos are hoping to gain an edge by upgrading their return game to complement their strong offense and defense.

The details

Collins said the Broncos were just inches away from breaking several returns for touchdowns in 2025, and the team has made improving their special teams a priority in the offseason. They are looking to add more speed and athleticism to their return units to create more game-changing plays.

  • The Broncos' 2026 season kicks off on September 5th.
  • Boise State's special teams struggled at times in 2025, failing to score on any kick or punt returns.

The players

Stacy Collins

Boise State's special teams coordinator, who believes the team was close to big plays on returns last season.

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What they’re saying

“We were just inches away from breaking a few returns for touchdowns last year. That's an area we've really focused on improving in the offseason.”

— Stacy Collins, Boise State Special Teams Coordinator

What’s next

The Broncos will look to showcase their upgraded special teams units when they open the 2026 season on September 5th.

The takeaway

Boise State's special teams struggled at times in 2025, but the team believes it is close to unlocking more explosive plays in the return game, which could provide a major boost to their overall team performance in the 2026 season.