BOISE — Boise State head coach Chris Petersen spoke at length Monday regarding Thursday's postgame incident when Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount punched Boise State defensive end Byron Hout and defended his punishment of Hout for provoking Blount.

While the Ducks' running back was given a season-long suspension, Petersen said he will punish Hout internally and that the sophomore won't be suspended.

"Guys say things that they shouldn't say and that's before the game, during the game and after the game," Petersen said. "... I feel bad for LeGarrette, without question. I feel bad for Byron. He feels bad that this whole thing happened."

Some have criticized Petersen for how he has addressed Hout's punishment, including Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott, who told the New York Times, "I was concerned about what I heard the Boise State coach say about how it was going to be handled. I'll just leave it at that. I'm not going to second-guess anything that that conference decides to do."

Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson spoke about it during Monday's WAC teleconference, and accepted the Broncos' punishment.

"Granted, his comments triggered the Oregon player to act like he did, but the words that the Boise State player said to the Oregon player are pretty regular occurrences," Benson said.

Petersen said he has spoken to Oregon head coach Chip Kelly since the game and that Blount called him and Hout to apologize.

"I think everybody feels bad for everybody, that's the bottom line," Petersen said. "There's no good thing about this situation."

Petersen said there "is no question it's going to leave a mark on him, no doubt. It's going to take him some time to get back to that old Byron Hout."

The Bronco head coach added that he did not hear just what Hout said to Blount, but grabbed him when he noticed that Hout hit Blount on his shoulder pad just before the punch was thrown. He also didn't elaborate on what the in-house discipline would entail.

"All you can do is what you think is right in your heart," Petersen said. "Nothing is taken lightly."

 Gavins won't be redshirted this season

Sophomore cornerback Jerrell Gavins transferred to Boise State from El Camino College this summer with three years of eligibility, plus a redshirt year available.

Petersen said during Fall Camp he liked having the versatility of having that extra year, but opted to burn his redshirt Thursday when Gavins played on special teams.

"He's very explosive and we hope to continue to bring him along," Petersen said. "... I think he can be a good special teams player and we'd like to get him in there in the secondary as well."

Gavins is listed on the two-deep behind Brandyn Thompson this week. Sophomore cornerback Jamar Taylor is day-to-day, Petersen said. He also added that freshman receiver Kirby Moore is practicing and recovering well from a foot fracture.

3,000 tickets left for Saturday's game

The Boise State athletic department said there are still 3,000 tickets remaining for Saturday's home game against Miami (Ohio). About 1,000 are in the end zones. Tickets can be purchased at www.idahotickets.com or at the athletic ticket office on campus from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Prices range from $30 in the north end zone ($20 for youths), to $49 for reserved seats ($34 for youths).