# 2017 Boise State Broncos football team

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. 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
Chuck Bednarik Award – Jr. DT David Moa
Maxwell Award – Jr. QB Brett Rypien
Bronko Nagurski Trophy – Jr. DT David Moa
Outland Trophy – Sr. OT Archie Lewis & Jr. DT David Moa
John Mackey Award – Sr. TE Jake Roh
Paul Hornung Award – Sr. WR Cedrick Wilson Jr.
Fred Biletnikoff Award – Sr. WR Cedrick Wilson
Wuerffel Trophy – Jr. QB Brett Rypien
Davey O'Brien Award – Jr. QB Brett Rypien
Walter Camp Award – Jr. QB Brett Rypien
Manning Award – Jr. QB Brett Rypien

### 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. 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.

### Media poll
#### Mountain Division

* Boise State – 161 (21)
* Colorado State – 135 (6)
* Wyoming – 114 (1)
* Air Force – 82
* New Mexico – 68
* Utah State – 28

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | 1:45 p.m. | Troy* | | Albertsons StadiumBoise, ID | ESPNU | W 24–13 | 31,581 |
| September 9 | 8:30 p.m. | at No. 20 Washington State* | | Martin StadiumPullman, WA | ESPN | L 44–47 $^{3OT}$ | 32,631 |
| September 14 | 6:00 p.m. | New Mexico | | Albertsons StadiumBoise, ID | ESPN | W 28–14 | 28,385 |
| September 22 | 6:00 p.m. | Virginia* | | Albertsons StadiumBoise, ID | ESPN2 | L 23–42 | 33,947 |
| October 6 | 8:15 p.m. | at BYU* | | LaVell Edwards StadiumProvo, UT | ESPN | W 24–7 | 59,753 |
| October 14 | 8:30 p.m. | at No. 19 San Diego State | | SDCCU StadiumSan Diego, CA | CBSSN | W 31–14 | 49,053 |
| October 21 | 8:15 p.m. | Wyoming | | Albertsons StadiumBoise, ID | ESPN2 | W 24–14 | 35,565 |
| October 28 | 8:00 p.m. | at Utah State | | Maverik StadiumLogan, UT | CBSSN | W 41–14 | 19,012 |
| November 4 | 5:00 p.m. | Nevada | | Albertsons StadiumBoise, ID (rivalry) | ESPNU | W 41–14 | 30,858 |
| November 11 | 8:30 p.m. | at Colorado State | | Colorado State StadiumFort Collins, CO | CBSSN | W 59–52 $^{OT}$ | 32,166 |
| November 18 | 8:15 p.m. | Air Force | No. 25 | Albertsons StadiumBoise, ID | ESPN2 | W 44–19 | 33,030 |
| November 25 | 1:30 p.m. | at Fresno State | No. 23 | Bulldog StadiumFresno, CA (Battle for the Milk Can) | CBSSN | L 17–28 | 31,526 |
| December 2 | 5:45 p.m. | No. 25 Fresno State | | Albertsons StadiumBoise, ID (MW Championship Game) | ESPN | W 17–14 | 24,515 |
| December 16 | 1:30 p.m. | vs. Oregon* | No. 25 | Sam Boyd StadiumWhitney, NV (Las Vegas Bowl) | ABC | W 38–28 | 36,432 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after October 31 released prior to gameAll times are in Mountain time ||||||||
    Schedule Source

## Game summaries
### Troy

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Trojans | 3 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
| • Broncos | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
Uniform Combination :
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
* 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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | 2OT | 3OT | Total |
| Broncos | 7 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 44 |
| • No. 20 Cougars | 7 | 3 | 0 | 21 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 47 |
Uniform Combination :
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
* 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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lobos | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| • Broncos | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
Uniform Combination :
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
* 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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Cavaliers | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
| Broncos | 7 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 23 |
Uniform Combination :
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
* 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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Broncos | 0 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| Cougars | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Uniform Combination :
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
* 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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Broncos | 14 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 31 |
| No. 19 Aztecs | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
Uniform Combination :
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
* 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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cowboys | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| • Broncos | 0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 24 |
Uniform Combination :
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
* 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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Broncos | 14 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 41 |
| Aggies | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
Uniform Combination :
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
* 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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wolf Pack | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| • Broncos | 10 | 21 | 7 | 3 | 41 |
Uniform Combination :
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
* 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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| • Broncos | 3 | 14 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 59 |
| Rams | 21 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 52 |
Uniform Combination :
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
* 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.

### Air Force

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Falcons | 7 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 19 |
| • No. 25 Broncos | 17 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 44 |
Uniform Combination :
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
* 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

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 24 Broncos | 7 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
| • Bulldogs | 7 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 28 |
Uniform Combination :
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
* 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)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 25 Bulldogs | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| • Broncos | 3 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
Uniform Combination :
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
* 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)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 25 Broncos | 14 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 38 |
| Ducks | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
Uniform Combination :
| Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
* 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.

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | RV | RV | RV | — | — | — | — | — | — | RV | RV | RV | 25 | RV | 25 | 22 |
| Coaches | RV | RV | RV | RV | — | — | — | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | 24 | RV | 25 | 22 |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | — | — | 25 | 23 | — | 25 | Not released |

## 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:

## Players in the 2018 NFL Draft

| Player | Position | Round | Pick | NFL club |
| Leighton Vander Esch | LB | 1 | 19 | Dallas Cowboys |
| Cedrick Wilson Jr. | WR | 6 | 208 | Dallas Cowboys |