2017 Boise State Broncos football team explained

Mode:	football
Year:	2017
Team:	Boise State Broncos
Conference:	Mountain West Conference
Division:	Mountain Division
Short Conf:	MW
Coachrank:	22
Aprank:	22
Record:	11–3
Conf Record:	7–1
Head Coach:	Bryan Harsin
Hc Year:	4th
Off Coach:	Zak Hill
Oc Year:	2nd
Off Scheme:	Multiple
Def Coach:	Andy Avalos
Dc Year:	2nd
Def Scheme:	Multiple
Stadium:	Albertsons Stadium
Champion:	Mountain West champion MW Mountain Division champion Las Vegas Bowl champion
Conf Champ:	MW Championship Game
Conf Champ Result:	W 17–14 vs. Fresno State
Bowl:	Las Vegas Bowl
Bowl Result:	W 38–28 vs. Oregon

The 2017 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This season was the Broncos' 81st season overall, seventh as a member of the Mountain West Conference and fifth within the Mountain Division. The Broncos played their home games at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. They were led by fourth-year head coach Bryan Harsin and first year quarterback Owen Smith, contributing to a monumental 2017 season with him in the command. They finished the season 11–3, 7–1 in Mountain West play to win the Mountain Division. They defeated West Division champion Fresno State in the Mountain West Championship Game to become Mountain West champions. They were invited to the Las Vegas Bowl where they defeated Oregon.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released.

Rimington Trophy – Sr. C Mason Hampton^[1]

Chuck Bednarik Award – Jr. DT David Moa^[2]

Maxwell Award – Jr. QB Brett Rypien^[3]

Bronko Nagurski Trophy – Jr. DT David Moa^[4]

Outland Trophy – Sr. OT Archie Lewis & Jr. DT David Moa^[5]

John Mackey Award – Sr. TE Jake Roh^[6]

Paul Hornung Award – Sr. WR Cedrick Wilson Jr.^[7]

Fred Biletnikoff Award – Sr. WR Cedrick Wilson^[8]

Wuerffel Trophy – Jr. QB Brett Rypien^[9]

Davey O'Brien Award – Jr. QB Brett Rypien^[10]

Walter Camp Award – Jr. QB Brett Rypien^[11]

Manning Award – Jr. QB Brett Rypien^[12]

Mountain West media days

At the Mountain West media days, held at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Broncos were picked as the overwhelming favorites to win the Mountain Division title, receiving 21 of a possible 28 first place votes.^[13] Sr. OL Mason Hampton was selected to the all-conference first team offense. Jr. DL David Moa and Jr. DB Tyler Horton were selected to the all-conference first team defense.^[14]

Media poll

Mountain Division

1. Boise State – 161 (21)
2. Colorado State – 135 (6)
3. Wyoming – 114 (1)
4. Air Force – 82
5. New Mexico – 68
6. Utah State – 28

Schedule

Schedule Source

Game summaries

Troy

See also: 2017 Troy Trojans football team.

• Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 15–27, 183 YDS, 1 INT; Brandon Silvers (Troy): 17–33, 146 YDS, 1 INT.
• Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 13 CAR, 82 YDS, 1 TD; Jordan Chunn (Troy): 11 CAR, 41 YDS.
• Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson Jr. (BSU): 4 REC, 65 YDS; Damion Willis (Troy): 2 REC, 27 YDS.

At Washington State

See also: 2017 Washington State Cougars football team.

• Passing leaders: Montell Cozart (BSU): 12–20, 161 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT; Tyler Hilinski (WSU): 25–33, 235 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT.
• Rushing leaders: Montell Cozart (BSU): 14 CAR, 72 YDS, 1 TD; James Williams (WSU): 14 CAR, 31 YDS.
• Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson Jr. (BSU): 9 REC, 147 YDS, 2 TD; Renard Bell (WSU): 7 REC, 107 YDS.

New Mexico

See also: 2017 New Mexico Lobos football team.

• Passing leaders: Montell Cozart (BSU): 15–19, 137 YDS, 2 TD; Coltin Gerhart (UNM): 7–13, 67 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT.
• Rushing leaders: Montell Cozart (BSU): 11 CAR, 68 YDS, 1 TD; Tyrone Owens (UNM): 14 CAR, 46 YDS, 1 TD.
• Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson Jr. (BSU): 3 REC, 64 YDS; Delane Hart-Johnson (UNM): 2 REC, 24 YDS.

Virginia

See also: 2017 Virginia Cavaliers football team.

• Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 24–42, 285 YDS, 1 INT; Kurt Benkert (UVA): 19–29, 273 YDS, 3 TD.
• Rushing leaders: Robert Mahone (BSU): 3 CAR, 21 YDS; Jordan Ellis (UVA): 24 CAR, 93 YDS, 2 TD.
• Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson Jr. (BSU): 13 REC, 209 YDS, 1 TD; Andre Levrone (UVA): 5 REC, 141 YDS, 2 TD.

At BYU

See also: 2017 BYU Cougars football team.

• Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 12–19, 125 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT; Tanner Mangum (BYU): 18–33, 164 YDS, 2 INT.
• Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 29 CAR, 118 YDS, 2 TD; Ula Tolutau (BYU): 9 CAR, 38 YDS, 1 TD.
• Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson Jr. (BSU): 3 REC, 43 YDS; Matt Bushman (ABC): 7 REC, 65 YDS.

At San Diego State

See also: 2017 San Diego State Aztecs football team.

• Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 11–19, 72 YDS, 1 TD; Christian Chapman (SDSU): 12–27, 240 YDS, 1 TD.
• Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 23 CAR, 128 YDS, 1 TD; Rashaad Penny (SDSU): 21 CAR, 53 YDS, 1 TD.
• Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson Jr. (BSU): 2 REC, 60 YDS; Fred Trevillion (SDSU): 2 REC, 128 YDS, 1 TD.

Wyoming

See also: 2017 Wyoming Cowboys football team.

• Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 12–17, 104 YDS; Josh Allen (WYO): 12–27, 131 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT.
• Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 17 CAR, 91 YDS; Josh Allen (WYO): 18 CAR, 62 YDS, 1 TD.
• Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson Jr. (BSU): 5 REC, 66 YDS, 1 TD; Austin Conway (WYO): 5 REC, 33 YDS.

At Utah State

See also: 2017 Utah State Aggies football team.

• Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 19–27, 260 YDS, 3 TD; Jordan Love (USU): 17–32, 168 YDS, 1 TD.
• Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 19 CAR, 110 YDS; Tre Miller (USU): 7 CAR, 40 YDS.
• Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson Jr. (BSU): 6 REC, 94 YDS, 1 TD; Ron'quavion Tarver (USU): 3 REC, 77 YDS, 1 TD.

Nevada

See also: 2017 Nevada Wolf Pack football team and Boise State–Nevada football rivalry.

• Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 20–27, 258 YDS, 2 TD; Ty Gangi (NEV): 24–37, 160 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INT.
• Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 12 CAR, 64 YDS, 2 TD; Kelton Moore (NEV): 17 CAR, 106 YDS, 1 TD.
• Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson Jr. (BSU): 5 REC, 80 YDS, 1 TD; Wyatt Demps (NEV): 6 REC, 61 YDS.

At Colorado State

See also: 2017 Colorado State Rams football team.

• Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 23–43, 315 YDS, 4 TD, 1 INT; Nick Stevens (CSU): 29–43, 309 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT.
• Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 23 CAR, 242 YDS, 3 TD; Dalyn Dawkins (CSU): 32 CAR, 161 YDS, 2 TD.
• Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson Jr. (BSU): 3 REC, 73 YDS; Michael Gallup (CSU): 11 REC, 102 YDS, 1 TD.

Alexander Mattison set the Boise State record for yards from scrimmage with 286 yards. Mattison rushed for 242 yards on the ground and picked up 44 receiving yards.^[15]

Air Force

See also: 2017 Air Force Falcons football team.

• Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 16–22, 300 YDS, 3 TD; Nate Romine (AF): 7–10, 115 YDS.
• Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 17 CAR, 42 YDS; Nate Romine (AF): 16 CAR, 54 YDS, 1 TD.
• Receiving leaders: A. J. Richardson (BSU): 3 REC, 123 YDS, 1 TD; Marcus Bennett (AF): 3 REC, 63 YDS.

At Fresno State

See also: 2017 Fresno State Bulldogs football team and Boise State–Fresno State football rivalry.

• Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 22–31, 278 YDS; Marcus McMaryion (FS): 23–36, 332 YDS, 2 TD.
• Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 15 CAR, 63 YDS, 1 TD; Jordan Mims (FS): 11 CAR, 43 YDS, 1 TD.
• Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson Jr. (BSU): 7 REC, 134 YDS; KeeSean Johnson (FS): 6 REC, 119 YDS, 2 TD.

Fresno State (Mountain West Championship Game)

See also: 2017 Fresno State Bulldogs football team and 2017 Mountain West Conference Football Championship Game.

• Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 16–32, 246 YDS; Marcus McMaryion (FS): 16–34, 172 YDS, 1 INT.
• Rushing leaders: Ryan Wolpin (BSU): 11 CAR, 50 YDS, 1 TD; Josh Hokit (FS): 9 CAR, 46 YDS.
• Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson Jr. (BSU): 8 REC, 148 YDS; KeeSean Johnson (FS): 5 REC, 58 YDS.

vs Oregon (Las Vegas Bowl)

See also: 2017 Oregon Ducks football team and 2017 Las Vegas Bowl.

• Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 21–38, 362 YDS, 2 TD, 2 INT; Justin Herbert (UO): 26–36, 233 YDS, 2 TD, 2 INT.
• Rushing leaders: Ryan Wolpin (BSU): 23 CAR, 71 YDS, 2 TD; Justin Herbert (UO): 9 CAR, 17 YDS.
• Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson Jr. (BSU): 10 REC, 221 YDS, 1 TD; Dillon Mitchell (UO): 9 REC, 143 YDS.

Post-season awards

Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year

Leighton Vander Esch – Jr. LB

Mountain West first team

Offense

Cedrick Wilson Jr. – Sr. WR

Jake Roh – Sr. TE

Mason Hampton – Sr. OL

Defense

Curtis Weaver – Fr. DL

Leighton Vander Esch – Jr. LB

Tyler Horton – Jr. DB

Mountain West second team

Offense

Brett Rypien – Jr. QB

Archie Lewis – Sr. OL

Avery Williams – Fr. PR/KR

Defense

Jabril Frazier – Jr. DL

David Moa – Jr. DL

Kekoa Nawahine – So. DB

Sean Wale – Sr. P

Mountain West honorable mention

Ezra Cleveland – FR. OL

Haden Hoggarth – Jr. K

Alexander Mattison – So. RB

Tyson Maeva – So. LB

Durrant Miles – Jr. DL

John Molchon – So. OL

DeAndre Pierce – So. DB

Award Reference:^[16]

Players in the 2018 NFL Draft

See also: 2018 NFL draft.

Player	Position	Round	Pick	NFL club
	LB	1	19
	WR	6	208

Notes and References

1. Web site: Rimington Trophy Press Release. May 22, 2017. June 6, 2017.
2. Web site: 2017 Bednarik Award Watch List. July 10, 2017. July 12, 2017.
3. Web site: 2017 Maxwell Award Watch List. July 10, 2017. July 12, 2017.
4. Web site: College football: 2017 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list. July 14, 2017. July 18, 2017.
5. Web site: 2017 OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED. July 13, 2017. July 14, 2017.
6. Web site: College football: 2017 John Mackey Award watch list. July 14, 2017. July 18, 2017.
7. Web site: College football: 2017 Paul Hornung Award watch list. July 17, 2017. July 18, 2017.
8. Web site: College football: 2017 Biletnikoff Award watch list. July 18, 2017. July 18, 2017.
9. Web site: College football: 2017 Danny Wuerffel Award watch list. July 18, 2017. July 18, 2017.
10. Web site: College football: 2017 Davey O'Brien Award watch list. July 19, 2017. July 19, 2017.
11. Web site: College football: 2017 Walter Camp Award watch list. July 21, 2017. July 21, 2017.
12. Web site: Manning Award Watch List, 2017-18. August 17, 2017.
13. Web site: Tust. Jay. Boise State and San Diego State picked to meet in 2017 MW Championship Game. KTVB.com. TEGNA. July 25, 2017. July 27, 2017.
14. Web site: Gagliardi. Robert. UW's Allen, Wingard named preseason MW players of the year. WyoSports.net. July 25, 2017. July 27, 2017.
15. Web site: Boise State’s Mattison breaks school record, Harsin gets contract extension. Idaho Statesman. November 12, 2017. November 13, 2017.
16. Web site: MW . Mountain West Announces 2017 Football All-Conference Teams and . Themwc.com . 2017-11-30.