Boise State sophomore quarterback Ryan Finley throws from the pocket during route drills at the Tuesday morning practice in the Caven-Williams Sports Complex on the campus of Boise State. Tuesday, March 31, 2015 (Greg Kreller/IPT)
Boise State sophomore quarterback Ryan Finley throws from the pocket during route drills at the Tuesday morning practice in the Caven-Williams Sports Complex on the campus of Boise State. Tuesday, March 31, 2015 (Greg Kreller/IPT)
Boise State’s quarterback battle might have taken an unexpected turn.
Ryan Finley, a redshirt sophomore and the perceived leader to start for the Broncos at quarterback this fall, was arrested in Boise early Saturday morning and charged with a pair of misdemeanors.
According to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Finley was booked at 12:17 a.m. Saturday and charged with a minor in possession of an alcoholic beverage and resisting or obstructing officers.
Boise State said in a statement, “We are aware of the situation and we are following our student-conduct policy.”
Here’s the full Boise Police arrest report, which was provided to the Idaho Press-Tribune:
“Boise Police officers responded to a neighbor’s call of a noise complaint at a residence near the intersection of West Hale Street and South Euclid Avenue at 11:32 p.m. on Friday, April 24.
“When officers arrived in the area, they observed a car pull up near the intersection and stop. The occupants of the vehicle got out, but then got back into the car when they saw officers.
“When Boise Police officers attempted to make contact with the driver, one of passengers exited the car and ran away, failing to stop when officers identified themselves. A brief foot pursuit ensued, and officers soon located the man who ran, Finley, crouched in the backyard of a residence near West Hale Street and Manitou Avenue.
“When officers spoke with the suspect, they observed an odor of alcohol coming from him, and noticed that he had glassy eyes.
“Officers took Finley into custody and transported him to the Ada County Jail where he was booked under the above charges.”
Finley appeared in five games last season as the backup to Grant Hedrick and figured to have the leg up on a four-way quarterback battle entering the summer. He was the first quarterback to play in the Blue and Orange Spring Game and took all of his reps with the No. 1 offense.
True freshman Brett Rypien, redshirt freshman Alex Ogle and redshirt sophomore Tommy Stuart are all battling Finley for the starting quarterback spot. Coaches have refrained from naming a leader, but all indications were that the position was Finley’s to lose after his performance this spring.
Boise State opens the 2015 season on Sept. 4 against former coach Chris Petersen and the Washington Huskies.
B.J. Rains has covered Boise State athletics for the Idaho Press since 2013 and is a three-time winner of the NSMA Idaho Sportswriter of the Year Award. He appears on KTIK 93.1 FM The Ticket every Friday at 4 p.m. for the Blue Turf Sports report.
