The 2016 Boise State Broncos football team represented

Boise State University Boise State University (BSU) is a Public university, public research university in Boise, Idaho. Founded in 1932 by the Episcopal Church (United States), Episcopal Church, it became an independent junior college in 1934 and has been awarding ...

during the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It marked the Broncos' 80th season overall, sixth as a member of the

Mountain West Conference The Mountain West Conference (MW) is one of the collegiate athletic conferences affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) (formerly I-A). The MW officially began operations o ...

and fourth within the Mountain Division. They played their home games at

Albertsons Stadium Albertsons Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium in the western United States, located on the campus of Boise State University in Boise, Idaho. It is the home field of the Boise State Broncos of the Mountain West Conference. Known as Bronco Sta ...

Boise, Idaho Boise (, , ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho and is the county seat of Ada County. On the Boise River in southwestern Idaho, it is east of the Oregon border and north of the Nevada border. The downtown are ...

. They were led by third-year head coach

Bryan Harsin Bryan Dale Harsin (born November 1, 1976) is an American football coach and former player who was most recently the head coach at Auburn University. Prior to leading the Auburn Tigers, he coached the Boise State University Broncos from the 2014 ...

. They finished the season 10–3, 6–2 in Mountain West play to finish in a three-way tie for the Mountain Division title. After tiebreakers, they did not represent the Mountain Division in the Mountain West Championship Game. They were invited to the

Cactus Bowl The Guaranteed Rate Bowl is an annual college football bowl game that has been played in the state of Arizona since 1989. Played as the Copper Bowl from inception through 1996, it was known as the Insight.com Bowl from 1997 through 2001, then ...

where they lost to Baylor. This season marked the 30th anniversary season that the Broncos have played on the Blue Turf.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released.

Maxwell Award The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the college football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best all ...

– So. QB

Brett Rypien Brett Rypien (; born July 9, 1996) is a Canadian-American football quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boise State and signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2019. ...

& Jr. RB

Jeremy McNichols Jeremy Theron McNichols (born December 26, 1995) is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boise State Broncos football, Boise State, and was drafted by t ...

Mackey Award The John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end. Established in 2000 by the Nassau County Sports Commission, the award is given annually to the tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, ...

– Jr. TE Jake Roh

Lou Groza Award The Lou Groza Award is presented annually to the top college football placekicker in the United States by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. The award is named after former Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns player Lou Groza. It has be ...

– Sr. K Tyler Rausa Bronko Nagurski Trophy – Sr. LB Tanner Vallejo

Butkus Award The Butkus Award, instituted in 1985 by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, is given annually to the top linebackers at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of football. The award, named in honor of College Football Hall of Fame ...

– Sr. LB Tanner Vallejo

Fred Biletnikoff Award The Fred Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the most outstanding receiver in American college football by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc. (TQCF), an independent not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The award was creat ...

– Sr. WR

Thomas Sperbeck Thomas Sperbeck (born October 21, 1994) is an American football wide receiver. He played college football for the Boise State Broncos. He is the all-time leader in receiving yards in Boise State history. Early life Thomas grew up in Carmichae ...

Davey O'Brien Award The Davey O'Brien Award, officially the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, named after Davey O'Brien, is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by the Davey O'Brien Foundation to be the best of all National Co ...

– So. QB Brett Rypien

Doak Walker Award Since 1990 the Doak Walker Award honors the top running back in college football in the United States. It is named in honor of Doak Walker, a former running back who played for the SMU Mustangs from 1945 to 1949 and in the National Football Le ...

– Jr. RB Jeremy McNichols

Walter Camp Award The Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football player of the year, as decided by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I FBS head coaches and sports information directo ...

– So. QB Brett Rypien

Mountain West media days

At the Mountain West media days, held at the

Cosmopolitan Cosmopolitan may refer to: Food and drink * Cosmopolitan (cocktail), also known as a "Cosmo" History * Rootless cosmopolitan, a Soviet derogatory epithet during Joseph Stalin's anti-Semitic campaign of 1949–1953 Hotels and resorts * Cosmopoli ...

Las Vegas Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...

Nevada Nevada ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, Western region of the United States. It is bordered by Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. N ...

, the Broncos were picked as the overwhelming favorites to win the Mountain Division title, receiving 27 of a possible 29 first place votes. So. QB

, Sr. WR

and Sr. K Tyler Rausa were selected to the all-conference first team.

Media poll

Mountain Division

# Boise State – 172 (27) # Air Force – 126 (2) # Utah State – 95 # Colorado State – 95 # New Mexico – 74 # Wyoming – 31

Schedule

:Schedule Source:

Game summaries

at Louisiana–Lafayette

* Passing leaders:

(BSU): 22–33, 347 YDS, 2 TD; Anthony Jennings (ULL): 21–33, 186 YDS, 1 TD. * Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 11 CAR, 61 YDS, 1 TD;

Elijah McGuire Elijah Lamont McGuire Jr. (born June 1, 1994) is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Early years McGuire attended and played high school football for Van ...

(ULL): 14 CAR, 46 YDS. * Receiving leaders:

(BSU): 6 REC, 130 YDS, 1 TD; Ja'Marcus Bradley (ULL): 3 REC, 50 YDS.

Washington State

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 19–35, 299 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INT;

Luke Falk Lucas Andrew Falk (born December 28, 1994) is an American football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football at Washington State, and was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has played fo ...

(WSU): 55–71, 480 YDS, 4 TD, 1 INT. * Rushing leaders:

(BSU): 22 CAR, 116 YDS, 2 TD; Jamal Morrow (WSU): 8 CAR, 22 YDS. * Receiving leaders: Thomas Sperbeck (BSU): 7 REC, 133 YDS, 1 TD; Tavares Martin Jr. (WSU): 12 REC, 158 YDS, 1 TD.

at Oregon State

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 19–36, 215 YDS, 1 TD; Conor Blount (OSU): 11–18, 138 YDS. * Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 28 CAR, 208 YDS, 3 TD;

Ryan Nall Ryan Nall (born December 27, 1995) is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football at Oregon State. Early years Nall was raised by his mother and father (Teri and Fred) with four siblings (two half-brothers ...

(OSU): 14 CAR, 66 YDS, 2 TD. * Receiving leaders: Thomas Sperbeck (BSU): 6 REC, 104 YDS; Seth Collins (OSU): 9 REC, 106 YDS.

Utah State

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 15–24, 163 YDS, 2 TD; Kent Myers (USU): 29–50, 287 YDS, 1 TD. * Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 30 CAR, 132 YDS; Kent Myers (USU): 12 CAR, 47 YDS. * Receiving leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 6 REC, 73 YDS, 1 TD; Andrew Rodriguez (USU): 6 REC, 89 YDS, 1 TD.

at New Mexico

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 21–28, 391 YDS, 5 TD; Lamar Jordan (UNM): 4–14, 39 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT. * Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 21 CAR, 54 YDS, 2 TD; Lamar Jordan (UNM): 21 CAR, 139 YDS. * Receiving leaders: Thomas Sperbeck (BSU): 9 REC, 198 YDS, 2 TD; Matt Quarells (UNM): 1 REC, 13 YDS.

Colorado State

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 16–24, 207 YDS, 1 TD;

Nick Stevens Nick Stevens (born 3 January 1980) is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League and former coach of South Australian National Football League club Glenelg. He played in four pre-season premierships, with Port Adel ...

(CSU): 17–31, 184 YDS, 2 TD. * Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): , 217 YDS, 2 TD;

Dalyn Dawkins Dalyn Daeel Dawkins (born December 26, 1994) is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Colorado State. Early life and high school Dawkins was born and grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and a ...

(CSU): 14 CAR, 66 YDS. * Receiving leaders: Thomas Sperbeck (BSU): 5 REC, 72 YDS, 1 TD;

Michael Gallup Michael Gallup (born March 4, 1996) is an American football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Colorado State Rams football, Colorado State. Early years Gallup attended Mon ...

(CSU): 4 REC, 91 YDS, 1 TD.

BYU

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 25–39, 442 YDS, 3 TD, 2 INT; Taysom Hill (BYU): 21–42, 187 YDS. * Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 30 CAR, 140 YDS, 1 TD; Squally Canada (BYU): 21 CAR, 88 YDS. * Receiving leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 5 REC, 109 YDS, 1 TD and Tyler Sperbeck 9 REC, 109 YDS, 1 TD; Mitchell Juergens (BYU): 4 REC, 57 YDS.

at Wyoming

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 22–35, 295 YDS, 1 INT;

Josh Allen Josh or Joshua Allen may refer to: * Josh Allen (offensive lineman) (born 1991), former American football player * Josh Allen (quarterback) (born 1996), American football quarterback in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills since 2018 * Josh Allen (defensi ...

(WYO): 18–31, 274 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT. * Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 18 CAR, 143 YDS, 2 TD; Brian Hill (WYO): 28 CAR, 146 YDS. * Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson Jr. (BSU): 4 REC, 84 YDS;

Jacob Hollister Jacob Hollister (born November 18, 1993) is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at Wyoming. He has also played for the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. Early years Born and raised in Bend, Ore ...

(WYO): 6 REC, 144 YDS, 2 TD.

San Jose State

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 16–21, 219 YDS, 3 TD; Kenny Potter (SJSU): 23–36, 278 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT. * Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 28 CAR, 158 YDS, 2 TD; Malik Roberson (SJSU): 12 CAR, 109 YDS, 1 TD. * Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson (BSU): 6 REC, 102 YDS, 2 TD; Justin Holmes (SJSU): 6 REC, 106 YDS, 1 TD.

at Hawaii

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 18–22, 338 YDS, 4 TD; Dru Brown (UH): 16–31, 125 YDS, 1 TD. * Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 16 CAR, 153 YDS, 2 TD; Paul Harris (UH): 14 CAR, 145 YDS. * Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson (BSU): 7 REC, 141 YDS, 1 TD; Dakota Torres (UH): 3 REC, 35 YDS.

UNLV

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 10–20, 109 YDS;

Kurt Palandech Kurt Palandech (born November 11, 1994) is an American football quarterback for the Nojima Sagamihara Rise in the Japanese X-League. He also played for the Berlin Rebels in the German Football League (GFL). High school Palandech attended Plai ...

(UNLV): 10–20, 113 YDS, 1 TD. * Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 31 CAR, 206 YDS, 4 TD;

(UNLV): 9 CAR, 64 YDS, 2 TD. * Receiving leaders: Thomas Sperbeck (BSU): 5 REC, 47 YDS; Andrew Price (UNLV): 3 REC, 65 YDS, 1 TD.

at Air Force

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 9–26, 316 YDS, 1 TD; Arion Worthman (AF): 3–5, 45 YDS. * Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 22 CAR, 88 YDS, 1 TD; Arion Worthman (AF): 26 CAR, 80 YDS. * Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson (BSU): 4 REC, 193 YDS, 1 TD; Jalen Robinette (AF): 3 REC, 45 YDS. Air Force became the first team to beat Boise State for three consecutive season since Nevada in 1996–98.

Baylor–Cactus Bowl

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 32–51, 305 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT; Zach Smith (BAY): 28–39, 375 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT. * Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 19 CAR, 46 YDS; Terence Williams (BAY): 25 CAR, 103 YDS. * Receiving leaders: Cedrick Wilson (BSU): 6 REC, 88 YDS, 1 TD;

K. D. Cannon Ka'Darius O'Keith Cannon (born November 5, 1995) is an American football wide receiver for the DC Defenders of the XFL (2020), XFL. He played college football at Baylor Bears football, Baylor. He has played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the ...

(BAY): 14 REC, 226 YDS, 2 TD.

Rankings

Scores by quarter

All opponents Mountain West opponents

Post-season awards

Mountain West first team

''Offense''

– So. QB

– Sr. WR Travis Averill – Sr. OL Mario Yakoo – Sr. OL ''Defense'' Sam McCaskill – Sr. DL David Moa – So. DL

Mountain West second team

''Offense''

– Jr. RB ''Defense'' Ben Weaver – Sr. LB Chanceller James – Sr. DB Jonathan Moxey – Sr. DB Sean Wale – Sr. P

Mountain West honorable mention

Steven Baggett – Sr. OL Mason Hampton – Jr. OL Tanner Vallejo – Sr. LB Cedrick Wilson Jr. – Jr. WR :Award Reference:

Coaching staff

Roster

References

{{Boise State Broncos football navbox Boise State Boise State Broncos football seasons

Boise State Broncos football The Boise State Broncos football program represents Boise State University in college football and competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of the Mountain West Conference. The Broncos play their home games o ...