BOISE - When Boise State plays in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl on December 23rd, the team will not only be playing its sixth bowl in six states in six years, but will be playing an unofficial homecoming for half the team.

26 players on the roster call Southern California home; Los Angeles-area and south for counting purposes. That's about a two hour drive from those Broncos' childhood homes to Qualcomm stadium. 16 more players are from other parts of California.

"Even before the announcement was official, my mom had bought 70 tickets," said senior wide receiver Vinnie Perretta, who grew up just outside San Diego. "That's not counting all my boys, my brother and his friends. I'm sure it will be close to 100."

Perretta's father played for the San Diego Chargers in the late 1970's, and a native of New York, loved pizza. Ralph Perretta's friends used to be known as the "Perretta pizza eaters." Vinnie says his brother is trying to organize a large number of friends to go to the Poinsettia Bowl wearing "Perretta pizza eater" t-shirts.

"When [my dad] would go back to new york, all his new york buddies, you know they're crazy out there, would wear Perretta pizza eater shirts, and my brother is trying to set that up, so we'll see what happens. You know bronco nation always travels well, it's going to be fun down there," Perretta said.

Southern California is home to many of the Broncos first teamers; Ian Johnson, Jeremy Childs, Ellis Powers and Ryan Winterswyk among plenty others.

Of the 87 active players in the media guide, 42 are from California. Idaho is the next-closest state with 8 home-grown players. Arizona contributes five, Washington and Texas each sent four players to BSU.