Boise State cornerbacks coach Demario Warren knew exactly what traits he was looking to add to his position group heading into his second season with the Broncos.
“I sat down with the recruiting staff and told them I want someone with the athleticism to take an interception 50 yards to the house and the confidence to high-step all the way into the end zone,” he said.
It only took former Director of Personnel Deontrae Cooper a couple days to send him highlights of a player who perfectly fit those parameters: former Laney College cornerback A’Marion McCoy.
“You could tell right away that he was a smart football player, and he didn’t mind trash talking,” Warren said. “You have to have confidence as a corner because you’re going to get beat, but you can’t let it slow you down.”
McCoy has started 25 games and snagged five interceptions since signing with Boise State in 2023. He’s had plenty of big games but few bigger than last week’s win over Appalachian State, which included the second pick-six of his FBS career. He returned an interception 26 yards for a touchdown that gave the Broncos an early 14-0 lead. He also returned one for a touchdown last season against San Diego State.
The fifth-year senior from East Palo Alto, California, will lead Boise State across the country to face No. 21 Notre Dame on Saturday. The Broncos have won three in a row since a season-opening loss to USF. The Fighting Irish (2-2) have won back-to-back games after opening the year with losses to Miami and Texas A&M.
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McCoy’s pick-six was one of two interceptions the Broncos (3-1, 1-0 Mountain West) returned for touchdowns last week in a 47-14 victory over Appalachian State. Safety Boen Phelps also returned one 33 yards for a score early in the fourth quarter.
Last weekend’s win featured a big-time performance from Boise State’s much-maligned secondary, which held Appalachian State’s high-powered passing attack to just 65 yards. Those same defensive backs will have their hands full Saturday against a Notre Dame passing attack that averages 306.5 yards a game.
The Irish are led by quarterback CJ Carr, who has thrown for 1,091 yards and nine touchdowns with just two interceptions. His favorite targets have been wide receivers Jordan Faison (19 catches, 244 yards, and two touchdowns) and Malachi Fields (13 catches, 275 yards, and one TD) as well as running back Jeremiyah Love (13 catches, 149 yards, and three TDs).
Boise State Football at Notre Dame Betting Line
Notre Dame is a 20.5-point college football betting odds favorite at BetMGM as of the time of this writing. The Over/Under is 62.5 points. The moneyline is at -1400 for Notre Dame and +800 for Boise State.
Where To Watch Boise State at Notre Dame
The non-conference game featuring Boise State and Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, will be televised on NBC and Peacock.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
Boise State at Notre Dame Prediction
I predict Notre Dame wins 42-21.
Boise State is already behind the eight ball because of its penchant for giving up chunk plays through the air, but I don’t think the passing game is even the Broncos’ biggest concern – it’s Love, who is one of the most dynamic running backs in the country.
Love is an explosive, powerful runner, and he’s operating behind one of the better offensive lines in the country. He’s dangerous as a runner and a receiver, and I think there’s a good chance he’ll hear his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft.
I expect Boise State’s defense is going to have to sell out to stop him, which is going to leave a lot of one-on-one matchups in the secondary. An upset isn’t impossible. Northern Illinois pulled off a win against Notre Dame last year. But I think it’s going to take a Herculean effort on defense and a receiver to emerge to take some pressure off of the Broncos’ running game. If there was ever a game for former five-star recruit Chris Marshall to live up to his billing, it’s this one.
