10 Most Important Boise State Players
Who are the most important players for the Broncos?
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Are these the best players for Boise State as they take on Fresno State?
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Boise State is in the unusual spot of getting a rematch against Fresno State. The Bulldogs defeated the Broncos 28 – 17 last Saturday in Fresno, but this week the game will be on the Blue Turf in Boise with the Mountain West Championship title on the line.
With a title game on the line we will be breaking down the game at all levels by looking at the best players from Boise State and Fresno State, plus the 15 most important overall.
Both teams are strong on both sides of the ball and another tough matchup is expected. In no particular order, here are the 10 impact Broncos to keep an eye on:
Brett Rypien (QB, Junior. MWC 2nd Team)
Rypien is a 3 team all-conference player, with good reason. While Rypien started off slow as the Broncos incorporated Cozart, he has really picked it up in the past few weeks. In his last 7 games, Rypien has 13 touchdowns against 1 interception. Rypien completed 71% of his passes last week against the Bulldogs and if ‘Good Rypien’ shows up again, the Broncos will have a terrific chance to win the Mountain West Championship.
Montell Cozart (QB, Senior)
Cozart is not your normal backup QB and he has demonstrated the ability to come in and be a triple threat weapon for the Broncos. In recent weeks, as Rypien really began to heat up, Cozart at times seemed to slow down the momentum of the offense. Still, Cozart has produced well in his role and Head Coach Bryan Harsin has emphatically said that Cozart will play this Saturday.
Alexander Mattison (RB, Sophmore. MWC Honorable Mention)
Mattison is a big time runner who eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark last week. After going crazy 3 weeks ago (242 rushing yards versus Colorado State), He was a bit more subdued the last two games (42 versus Air Force, 63 versus Fresno State) but averaged 4.2 yards versus the Bulldogs. While the Bronco’s air attack has been on fire the past few weeks, Mattison will again be counted upon to be the workhorse of the Boise State attack.
Jake Roh (TE, Senior. MWC 1st Team)
Roh missed the game last Saturday and his status is unknown for the Championship Game. A Mountain West 1st teamer, Roh is terrific in both receiving or blocking. If Roh plays, Rypien will have his most dependable target back on 3rd and 4th downs.
Cedric Wilson (WR, Senior. MWC 1st Team)
Wilson is going to end up in the NFL after his final game for Boise State. But despite being banged up, Wilson is showing no signs of taking it easy. With more than 1,100 receiving yards for the year and more than 100 yards the last two games; Wilson is both Rypien’s deep threat and emergency outlet.
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Curtis Weaver (DL, Freshman. MWC 1st Team)
A dynamic rusher off the edge, Weaver is the first Bronco freshman to make his way to MWC 1st team. Fresno State QB Marcus McMaryion is a senior and showed poise last week and waited for his opportunities to make big plays. Weaver along with the rest of the defensive line will be depended on by Bronco defensive coordinator, Andy Avalos, to get pressure on the quarterback and not let Fresno State RB Jordan Mims get past the first line of the Boise State defense.
David Moa (DT, Junior. MWC 2nd Team)
If you watched the Bronco’s defense play the last few weeks, there was a clear difference in the difference when Moa has played and when he was out due to injury. Moa causes havoc in the trenches and demands double teams. The Moa Constrictor has been known to make big plays when needed the most the past few years for the Broncos.
Leighton Vander Esch (LB, Junior. MWC 1st Team. MWC Defensive Player of the Year)
Former 8 on 8 high school star and walk on at Boise State, Vander Esch has become the leader of the Broncos defense. Vander Esch has 113 tackles for the year to go along with an interception and 3 forced fumbles. Vander Esch will once again be tasked to lead the young Bronco defense against an opportunistic Bulldog defense.
Tyler Horton (DB, Junior. MWC 1st Team)
Horton will again draw the assignment of covering Fresno State’s best WR (Keesean Johnson). Johnson had a big game last week (119 yards and 2 TDs) and it will be interesting to see how the matchup plays out this week. Against Colorado State, Horton drew the assignment of all conference receiver Michael Gallup. Gallup had a monster first half but Horton adjusted to mostly shut down Gallup in the second half.
Haden Hoggarth (K, Freshman. MWC Honorable Mention)
Despite missing a 38 yard field goal try last week in Fresno, Hoggarth has been dependable all year for the Broncos. Perfect on extra point attempts, Hoggarth is 16 on 19 on field goal attempts. Against a stingy Bulldog defense, Hoggarth will be called upon by the Broncos to get points when they can.
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