The heir apparent to Boise State senior quarterback Brett Rypien was hit with a major setback this week.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Chase Cord tore an ACL last week during practice and is out for the season, coach Bryan Harsin said Saturday night. Cord didn’t make the trip to Reno for the Boise State-Nevada game, which the Broncos won 31-27.

Harsin said he hopes to have Cord back for the start of fall camp in 2019. The Broncos don’t have any other returning quarterback with significant major college experience, and Cord won’t be available for spring practices. The other scholarship quarterbacks on the roster are true freshman Riley Smith and junior college transfer Jaylon Henderson. Hank Bachmeier, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound passer from Murrieta (Calif.) Valley High, has committed to Boise State and could join the program in January.

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[Related: Boise State overcome sloppy start to beat Nevada; ‘Animal hands’ key the victory; Two big plays kept Boise State out of serious trouble]

Cord played in four games this season, so he could be eligible for a medical redshirt under a new NCAA rule. He didn’t play against Oklahoma State.





Cord had operated a package of run plays this season. He also took over as the primary quarterback for a couple series against San Diego State. Before the Nevada game, Cord was the Broncos’ No. 2 rusher with eight carries for 109 yards. He was 6-of-9 for 67 yards and one touchdown with one interception passing.

In high school, Cord also tore an ACL, occurring just after his junior season of football while on the basketball court. He played that fall, but was used less as a rushing option.

“I don’t know all the timelines of it right now but (back for fall camp) is the hope,” Harsin said. “When guys get injured ... you can use that time to mentally prepare. When you do come back healthy, you’ve got a better understanding of the game. He’ll take advantage of that. He’s an awesome kid. It’s unfortunate. It’s one of those things we’ve got to be able to overcome.”

Some O-line shuffling

The Broncos’ much-maligned offensive line used the same starting five it had all season, but the right side finished the game with a different look.

Guard Eric Quevedo left the game in the second quarter with an injury and was replaced by junior Isiah Moore the rest of the game. Redshirt freshman and Boise High graduate John Ojukwu stepped in for senior Andres Preciado at tackle late in the second quarter.

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Rypien said of the offensive line, which allowed two sacks after giving up four the previous week, “I thought they were a lot better.” Harsin explained that Ojukwu was in the game plan all along to see his first major action.

“I think he and Andres had about equal reps this week, they knew they were (both) going to play in the game,” Harsin said. “It was his opportunity to go in there and get some reps and go play and let’s see what he can do because he had a good week of practice. He earned those opportunities. I don’t know, I’ll have to watch the film, but I think he played fairly well.”

Hoggarth returns

Boise State senior kicker Haden Hoggarth returned to the lineup after Joel Velazquez handled scoring kicks against San Diego State. Hoggarth made a 31-yard field goal to end the first half. The make was his third in a row after a 2-for-5 start to the season. Hoggarth also finished the game as the Broncos’ kickoff specialist after Velazquez left with an undisclosed injury, kicking the final three.

Quick hits

Sixteen of the last 17 games in the series have been Boise State wins. ... Boise State wore all white. ... Boise State’s single-game captain was sophomore linebacker Benton Wickersham of Elko, Nev. ... Senior linebacker Joe Provenzano carried the Hammer. ... Boise State cornerback Tyler Horton scored his third touchdown of the season on a 99-yard interception return. He’s only played in four games. ... Eight Broncos caught passes, seven with at least three receptions apiece. In every game this season, Boise State has had at least eight players catch passes, something only five other schools have done. ... Boise State was 11-of-18 on third downs. ... Sophomore defensive back Kekaula Kaniho and sophomore linebacker Riley Whimpey led Boise State with seven tackles apiece.