The 2018 Boise State Broncos football team represented

Boise State University Boise State University (BSU) is a public research university in Boise, Idaho. Founded in 1932 by the Episcopal Church, it became an independent junior college in 1934 and has been awarding baccalaureate and master's degrees It became a publ ...

during the

2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season The 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season was the highest level college football competition in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 2018. The regular season began on August 25, 2018, and ended ...

. This season was the Broncos' 82nd season overall, fifth under 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 ...

, eighth 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 sixth within the Mountain Division. The Broncos 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 finished the season 10–3, 7–1 in Mountain West play to finish in a tie for first place in the Mountain Division with

Utah State Utah State University (USU or Utah State) is a public land-grant research university in Logan, Utah. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. With nearly 20,000 students living on or near campus, USU is Utah's ...

. Due to their head-to-head win over Utah State, they were champions of the Mountain Division. They represented the Mountain Division in the Mountain West Championship Game where they lost to West Division champion

Fresno State California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) is a public university in Fresno, California. It is one of 23 campuses in the California State University system. The university had a fall 2020 enrollment of 25,341 students. It offers bachelo ...

. They were invited to the

First Responder Bowl The First Responder Bowl is an NCAA post-season college football bowl game played annually in the Dallas, Texas, area. The bowl was first held on January 1, 2011, and since 2014 has been contested in late December. The bowl was held at the Cot ...

against

Boston College Boston College (BC) is a private Jesuit research university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Founded in 1863, the university has more than 9,300 full-time undergraduates and nearly 5,000 graduate students. Although Boston College is classifie ...

. With 5:08 left in the 1st quarter, the bowl game was delayed and ultimately canceled and ruled a no contest.

Previous season

The Broncos finished the 2017 season 11–3, 7–1 in Mountain West play to win the Mountain Division. They defeated West Division champion

in the Mountain West Championship Game to become Mountain West champions. They were invited to the

Las Vegas Bowl The Las Vegas Bowl is an NCAA Division I FBS annual post-season college football bowl game held in the Las Vegas area. First played in 1992, the bowl was originally held at the 40,000-seat Sam Boyd Stadium in Whitney, Nevada before moving to the ...

where they defeated

Oregon Oregon () is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington (state), Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of it ...

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

Mountain West media days

During the Mountain West media days held July 24–25 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 ...

on the

Las Vegas Strip The Las Vegas Strip is a stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas Boulevard South in Clark County, Nevada, that is known for its concentration of resort hotels and casinos. The Strip, as it is known, is about long, and is immediately south of ...

, the Broncos were unanimously predicted as favorites to win the Mountain Division title.

Media poll

Preseason All-Mountain West Team

The Broncos had eight players selected to the preseason all-Mountain West team. Quarterback

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. ...

was selected as preseason offensive player of the year and kick/punt returner Avery Williams was selected as preseason special teams player of the year. Offense

– QB Alexander Mattison – RB

Ezra Cleveland Ezra Cleveland (born May 8, 1998) is an American football guard for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boise State and was drafted by the Vikings in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. ...

– OL

John Molchon John Molchon (born February 2, 1997) is an American football guard who is a free agent. He played college football at Boise State. Early life and high school Molchon grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and attended Faith Lutheran Middle School & High ...

– OL Defense David Moa – DL

Curtis Weaver Curtis Weaver (born August 3, 1998) is an American football outside linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boise State Broncos football, Boise State. Early years Weaver attended ...

– DL Tyler Horton – DB Specialists Avery Williams – KR/PR

Schedule

:Schedule Source:

Game summaries

At Troy

* Passing leaders:

(BSU): 20–28, 305 YDS, 4 TD; Keleb Barker (Troy): 20–29, 211 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT. * Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 14 CAR, 56 YDS, 1 TD; Jabir Frye (Troy): 7 CAR, 41 YDS, 1 TD. * Receiving leaders: Sean Modster (BSU): 7 REC, 167 YDS 2 TD; Deondre Douglas (Troy): 7 REC, 102 YDS, 1 TD. Senior cornerback Tyler Horton, who finished the game with four tackles and two fumble recoveries which were both returned for touchdowns, was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week. Horton was also named the

Bronko Nagurski Trophy The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football defensive player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) to be the best in the National Collegiate Athle ...

National Defensive Player of the Week.

UConn

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 21–28, 362 YDS, 3 TD; David Pindell (UCONN): 11–21, 71 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT. * Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 11 CAR, 115 YDS, 2 TD; Kevin Mensah (UCONN): 82 CAR. * Receiving leaders: John Hightower (BSU): 5 REC, 119 YDS, 1 TD; Hergy Mayala (UCONN): 3 REC, 24 YDS The Broncos set a school record for offensive yards in a game with 818 yards. The previous record was 742 set against

Colorado State Colorado State University (Colorado State or CSU) is a public land-grant research university in Fort Collins, Colorado. It is the flagship university of the Colorado State University System. Colorado State University is classified among "R1: ...

2011 File:2011 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: a protester partaking in Occupy Wall Street heralds the beginning of the Occupy movement; protests against Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who was killed that October; a young man celebrate ...

. Quarterback Brett Rypien was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week.

At Oklahoma State

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 39–56, 380 YDS, 3 TD; Taylor Cornelius (OKST): 15–26, 243 YDS, 1 TD. * Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 14 CAR, 53 YDS;

Justice Hill Justice Hill (born November 14, 1997) is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oklahoma State and was drafted by the Ravens in the fourth round of the 201 ...

(OKST): 15 CAR, 123 YDS, 1 TD. * Receiving leaders: A. J. Richardson (BSU): 6 REC, 70 YDS, 1 TD;

Tylan Wallace Tylan Michael Wallace (born May 13, 1999) is an American football wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oklahoma State. Early years Wallace attended South Hills High School ...

(OKST): 5 REC, 105 YDS.

At Wyoming

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 28–42, 342 YDS, 2 TD; Tyler Vander Waal (WYO): 15–25, 214 YDS, 1 TD. * Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 20 CAR, 57 YDS, 1 TD; Nico Evans (WYO): 12 CAR, 141 YDS, 1 TD. * Receiving leaders: A.J. Richardson (BSU): 6 REC, 113 YDS, 1 TD; James Price (WYO): 2 REC, 77 YDS, 1 TD.

San Diego State

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 21–41, 170 YDS, 2 INT; Ryan Agnew (SDSU): 8–15, 113 YDS. * Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 25 CAR, 66 YDS, 2 TD; Chase Jasmin (SDSU): 26 CAR, 78 YDS, 1 TD. * Receiving leaders: Sean Modster (BSU): 4 REC, 44 YDS; Fred Trevillion (SDSU): 3 REC, 57 YDS.

At Nevada

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 28–38, 299 YDS, 2 TD, 3 INT; Ty Gangi (NEV): 24–42, 304 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT. * Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 24 CAR, 69 YDS; Kelton Moore (NEV): 8 CAR, 35 YDS. * Receiving leaders: A.J. Richardson (BSU): 4 REC, 79 YDS, 1 TD; McLane Mannix (NEV): 4 REC, 109 YDS, 1 TD.

Colorado State

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypein (BSU): 22–26, 308 YDS, 4 TD; K. J. Carta-Samuels (CSU): 19–30, 244 YDS, 2 TD, 2 INT. * Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 20 CAR, 85 YDS, 1 TD; Izzy Matthews (CSU): 12 CAR, 109 YDS, 1 TD. * Receiving leaders: A.J. Richardson (BSU): 6 REC, 137 YDS, 2 TD; Preston Williams (CSU): 9 REC, 154 YDS, 1 TD.

At Air Force

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 20–34, 399 YDS, 5 TD; Isaiah Sanders (AF): 10–15, 210 YDS, 2 TD. * Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 22 CAR, 136 YDS, 1 TD; Isaiah Sanders (AF): 28 CAR, 97 YDS, 1 TD. * Receiving leaders: John Hightower (BSU): 8 REC, 182 YDS, 3 TD; Joseph Saucier (AF): 2 REC, 77 YDS.

BYU

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 23–35, 214 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT;

Zach Wilson Zachary Kapono Wilson (born August 3, 1999) is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at BYU, where he was a two-time bowl game MVP, and was selected second over ...

(BYU): 18–27, 252 YDS. * Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 25 CAR, 89 YDS, 2 TD; Matt Hadley (BYU): 11 CAR, 39 YDS. * Receiving leaders: A.J. Richardson (BSU): 4 REC, 53 YDS, 1 TD; Talon Shumway (BYU): 3 REC, 62 YDS.

Fresno State

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 24–29, 269 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT; Marcus McMaryion (FRES): 24–35, 283 YDS, 1 TD. * Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 30 CAR, 144 YDS, 2 TD; Jordan Mims (FRES): 8 CAR, 47 YDS. * Receiving leaders: A.J. Richardson (BSU): 5 REC, 66 YDS;

KeeSean Johnson KeeSean Johnson (born October 9, 1996) is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Fresno State and is the program's all-time leader in receiving yards and receptions. Johnson was drafted by the Ari ...

(FRES): 8 REC, 95 YDS, 1 TD. Quarterback Brett Rypien broke the Mountain West record for passing yards in a career, which now stands at 12,924 yards. The previous record was 12,690 set by

Ryan Lindley Ryan George Lindley (born June 22, 1989) is an American football coach and former quarterback who is currently the quarterbacks coach at San Diego State University. He played college football at San Diego State, and was drafted by the Arizona ...

of San Diego State in 2011. He also broke the Mountain West career completions record, also previously held by Lindley, and now has 981 career completions.

At New Mexico

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 17–27, 222 YDS, 3 TD; Sheriron Jones (UNM): 7–11, 88 YDS, 1 INT. * Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 20 CAR, 145 YDS, 1 TD; Sheriron Jones (UNM): 12 CAR, 56 YDS. * Receiving leaders: Sean Modster (BSU): 9 REC, 129 YDS, 3 TD; Delane Hart-Johnson (UNM): 4 REC, 77 YDS.

Utah State

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 23–32, 310 YDS, 1 TD;

Jordan Love Jordan Alexander Love (born November 2, 1998) is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Utah State and was drafted by the Packers in the first round of th ...

(USU): 29–47, 363 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT. * Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 37 CAR, 200 YDS, 3 TD; Darwin Thompson (USU): 11 CAR, 61 YDS. * Receiving leaders: CT Thomas (BSU): 6 REC, 89 YDS; Aaren Vaughns (USU): 7 REC, 107 YDS. Running back Alexander Mattison was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week following rushing for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns on a career high 37 carries. He also added 3 catches for 12 yards.

Fresno State (Mountain West Championship game)

* Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 15–31, 125 YDS, 1 TD; Marcus McMaryion (FRES): 21–33, 170 YDS, 1 TD. * Rushing leaders: Alexander Mattison (BSU): 40 CAR, 200 YDS, 1 TD; Ronnie Rivers (FRES): 17 CAR, 63 YDS, 1 TD. * Receiving leaders: Sean Modster (BSU): 4 REC, 45 YDS, 1 TD; Michiah Quick (FRES): 4 REC, 45 YDS, 1 TD.

Vs. Boston College (first responder bowl)

With Boston College leading 7–0 with 5:08 remaining in the 1st quarter, the game was delayed due to inclement weather. After an hour and a half delay, the game was canceled and ruled a no contest.

Rankings

Post-season awards

Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year

– Sr. QB

Mountain West first team

''Offense'' Brett Rypien – Sr. QB Alexander Mattison – Jr. RB

– So. OL

– Jr. OL ''Defense''

– So. DL Jabril Frazier – Sr. DL Tyler Horton – Sr. DB

Mountain West second team

''Offense'' Sean Modster – Sr. WR

Mountain West honorable mention

Durrant Miles – Sr. DL Kekoa Nawahine – Jr. DB Avery Williams – So. DB/RS :Award Reference:

Personnel

Coaching staff

Roster

Players drafted into the NFL

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 on ...