Blue Thunder rolling into San Diego

SAN DIEGO (KBOI) — Football players aren't the only ones that enjoy showing their craft before thousands of people.

Boise State's Blue Thunder marching band is also in San Diego for the Poinsettia Bowl.

"When you are standing in front of 30,000 people, there is no other feeling like it," said Shawn Atkinson, senior trombone player.

"There were a little bit of nerves at the Fiesta Bowl just because there were so many eyes on us," said Brianna Oswald, senior piccolo player.

The 165-member band will be playing music from "Queen" during the pregame festivities and then at halftime will make its mark with music from Star Wars.

"There are so many moving parts from all the equipment that has to go down,to all the hotel rooms and busses," said band director Joe Tornello.

We know the goal of the football team is to beat the other team, but what's the mission of the band?

"To play really well, really loud and get our football team and our crowd riled up to beat that other team," said Kensie Stallings, senior mellophone player.

And in case you were wondering, band members say players do notice their energy and enthusiasm.

"When we go under the bleachers to leave (at half) the football team is coming back and they make sure to give us high fives," said Peggy Sewell, senior saxophone player. "So there is definitely cooperation going on."

Members bussed down to San Diego and most packed their instruments in protective cases.

"We do carry repair kits but if someone drops a sousaphone there is not much we can do about it," Tornello said.

And no, band members say they do not hate the other team or their band. The Poinsettia Bowl between Boise State (8-4) and Northern Illinois (8-5) kicks off at 2:30 p.m. MT on Wednesday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifLS8zqurrGeSpLa0sYysq5qslWS9sLXNrJytrJmWeqO71qVkm6Slmnq1tNSnm56qXae8rbjIp55moZ6pvG6%2FwKdknaGVnLw%3D