2015 Boise State Broncos football team
The 2015 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University during the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Broncos were led by second-year head coach Bryan Harsin and played their home games at Albertsons Stadium. They were members of the Mountain West Conference in the Mountain Division. They finished the season 9–4, 5–3 in Mountain West play to finish in a four-way tie for second place in the Mountain Division. They were invited to the Poinsettia Bowl where they defeated Northern Illinois.
2015 Boise State Broncos football | |
---|---|
Poinsettia Bowl champion | |
Poinsettia Bowl, W 55–7 vs. Northern Illinois | |
Conference | Mountain West Conference |
Mountain Division | |
2015 record | 9–4 (5–3 MW) |
Head coach |
|
Offensive coordinator | Eliah Drinkwitz (1st season) |
Offensive scheme | Multiple |
Defensive coordinator | Marcel Yates (2nd season) |
Base defense | Multiple |
Home stadium | Albertsons Stadium (Capacity: 36,387) |
2015 Mountain West Conference football standings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mountain Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Air Force x | 6 | – | 2 | 8 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New Mexico | 5 | – | 3 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Utah State | 5 | – | 3 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Boise State | 5 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Colorado State | 5 | – | 3 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wyoming | 2 | – | 6 | 2 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
West Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
San Diego State x$ | 8 | – | 0 | 11 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nevada | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
San Jose State | 4 | – | 4 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fresno State | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UNLV | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hawaii | 0 | – | 8 | 3 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: San Diego State 27, Air Force 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Preseason
Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released.
Paul Hornung Award – Sr. WR Shane Williams-Rhodes[1]
Chuck Bednarik Award – Jr. DE Kamalei Correa & Sr. S Darian Thompson[2]
Rimington Trophy – Sr. C Marcus Henry[3]
Outland Trophy – Sr. C Marcus Henry[4]
Bronko Nagurski Trophy – Jr. DE Kamalei Correa & Sr. S Darian Thompson[5]
Jim Thorpe Award – Sr. CB Donte Deayon & Sr. S Darian Thompson[6]
Lombardi Award – Jr. DE Kamalei Correa, Sr. C Marcus Henry, Sr. OL Rees Odhiambo & Jr. LB Tanner Vallejo[7]
Fred Biletnikoff Award – Jr. WR Thomas Sperbeck[8]
Wuerffel Trophy – Sr. WR Shane Williams-Rhodes[9]
Walter Camp Award – Sr. S Darian Thompson[10]
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 28 of a possible 30 first place votes.[11] Sr. C Marcus Henry and Sr. OL Rees Odhiambo were selected to the all-conference first team offense. Jr. DE Kamalei Correa, Jr. LB Tanner Vallejo, Sr. CB Donte Deayon and Sr. S Darian Thompson were selected to the all-conference first team defense.[12]
Mountain Division
- Boise State – 177 (28)
- Utah State – 150 (2)
- Colorado State – 108
- Air Force – 90
- Wyoming – 64
- New Mexico – 41
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 4 | 8:15 p.m. | Washington* | No. 23 | ESPN | W 16–13 | 36,836 | |
September 12 | 8:15 p.m. | at BYU* | No. 20 | ESPN2 | L 24–35 | 63,470 | |
September 18 | 7:00 p.m. | Idaho State* |
| CBSSN | W 52–0 | 33,868 | |
September 25 | 6:00 p.m. | at Virginia* | ESPN | W 56–14 | 42,427 | ||
October 3 | 8:15 p.m. | Hawaii |
| ESPN2 | W 55–0 | 35,907 | |
October 10 | 5:00 p.m. | at Colorado State | No. 25 | CBSSN | W 41–10 | 26,117 | |
October 16 | 7:00 p.m. | at Utah State | No. 21 | CBSSN | L 26–52 | 22,509 | |
October 24 | 8:15 p.m. | Wyoming |
| ESPN2 | W 34–14 | 31,946 | |
October 31 | 1:30 p.m. | at UNLV | ESPNU | W 55–27 | 14,315 | ||
November 14 | 8:15 p.m. | New Mexico |
| ESPNU | L 24–31 | 32,780 | |
November 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Air Force |
| ESPN2 | L 30–37 | 30,332 | |
November 27 | 1:30 p.m. | at San Jose State | CBSSN | W 40–23 | 15,770 | ||
December 23 | 2:30 p.m. | vs. Northern Illinois* | ESPN | W 55–7 | 21,501 | ||
|
- Schedule Source:[13]
Game summaries
Washington
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Huskies | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 13 |
No. 24 Broncos | 6 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Uniform Combination | ||
Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
---|
- Passing leaders: Ryan Finley (BSU): 16–26, 129 YDS, 1 INT; Jake Browning (WASH): 20–34, 150 YDS, 1 INT.
- Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 24 CAR, 89 YDS, 2 TD; Dwayne Washington (WASH): 8 CAR, 14 YDS
- Receiving leaders: Thomas Sperbeck (BSU): 3 REC, 28 YDS; Dwayne Washington (WASH): 7 REC, 68 YDS.
at BYU
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 22 Broncos | 7 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
Cougars | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 | 35 |
Uniform Combination | ||
Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
---|
- Passing leaders: Ryan Finley (BSU): 25–38, 297 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INT; Tanner Mangum (BYU): 17–28, 309 YDS, 2 TD, 2 INT.
- Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 15 CAR, 46 YDS, 2 TD; Adam Hine (BYU): 19 CAR, 93 YDS, 1 TD.
- Receiving leaders: Shane William-Rhodes (BSU): 11 REC, 107 YDS; Mitchell Juergens (BYU): 4 REC, 172 YDS, 2 TD.
Idaho State
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bengals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Broncos | 14 | 7 | 28 | 3 | 52 |
Uniform Combination | ||
Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
---|
- Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 8–9, 126 YDS; Michael Sanders (ISU): 21–42, 169 YDS, 1 INT.
- Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 15 CAR, 69 YDS, 3 TD; Xavier Finney (ISU): 14 CAR, 38 YDS.
- Receiving leaders: Thomas Sperbeck (BSU): 7 REC, 99 YDS; Madison Mangum (ISU): 7 REC, 98 YDS.
In the first quarter, starting quarterback Ryan Finley left the game after fracturing his right ankle. He was expected to miss eight weeks.[14] However, he did not return in the 2015 season. The last two Boise State starting quarterbacks to miss time with injuries were also from broken right ankles (Ryan Dinwiddie in 2002 and Joe Southwick in 2013).
at Virginia
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broncos | 17 | 12 | 17 | 10 | 56 |
Cavaliers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Uniform Combination | ||
Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
---|
- Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 24–35, 321 YDS, 3 TD; Matt Johns (UVA): 12–25, 199 YDS, 2 TD, 2 INT
- Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 9 CAR, 69 YDS, 1 TD; Daniel Hamm (UVA): 8 CAR, 22 YDS
- Receiving leaders: Thomas Sperbeck (BSU): 5 REC, 121 YDS, 2 TD; Taquan Mizzell (UVA): 5 REC, 59 YDS, 1 TD
Hawaii
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rainbow Warriors | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Broncos | 14 | 35 | 3 | 3 | 55 |
Uniform Combination | ||
Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
---|
- Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 19–25, 271 YDS, 3 TD; Max Wittek (UH): 7–24, 66 YDS, 2 INT.
- Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 20 CAR, 108 YDS, 2 TD; Steven Lakalaka (UH): 8 CAR, 34 YDS.
- Receiving leaders: Chaz Anderson (BSU): 5 REC, 95 YDS, 1 TD; Marcus Kemp (UH): 5 REC, 39 YDS.
at Colorado State
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 24 Broncos | 17 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 41 |
Rams | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Uniform Combination | ||
Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
---|
- Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 22–35, 339 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT; Coleman Key (CSU): 5–19, 56 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT.
- Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 17 CAR, 104 YDS, 2 TD; Jasen Oden, Jr. (CSU): 19 CAR, 52 YDS.
- Receiving leaders: Thomas Sperbeck (BSU): 5 REC, 178 YDS, 2 TD; Rashard Higgins (CSU): 3 REC, 42 YDS.
at Utah State
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 20 Broncos | 3 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 26 |
Aggies | 17 | 28 | 7 | 0 | 52 |
Uniform Combination | ||
Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
---|
- Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 25–50, 299 YDS, 3 INT; Kent Myers (USU): 17–24, 157 YDS, 3 TD.
- Rushing leaders: Kelsey Young (BSU): 20 CAR, 60 YDS, 2 TD; Devante Mays (USU): 11 CAR, 63 YDS, 1 TD.
- Receiving leaders: Thomas Sperbeck (BSU): 6 REC, 156 YDS; Hunter Sharp (USU): 7 REC, 42 YDS, 2 TD.
Wyoming
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cowboys | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
Broncos | 17 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 34 |
Uniform Combination | ||
Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
---|
- Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 22–28, 211 YDS, 3 TD; Cameron Coffman (WYO): 8–13, 70 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT.
- Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 33 CAR, 166 YDS, 1 TD; Brian Hill (WYO): 23 CAR, 76 YDS.
- Receiving leaders: Thomas Sperbeck (BSU): 6 REC, 84 YDS, 2 TD; Jake Maulhardt (WYO): 6 REC, 76 YDS, 1 TD.
at UNLV
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broncos | 10 | 14 | 3 | 28 | 55 |
Rebels | 3 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 27 |
Uniform Combination | ||
Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
---|
- Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 35–52, 469 YDS, 2 TD; Blake Decker (UNLV): 29–50, 357 YDS, 2 INT.
- Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 22 CAR, 122 YDS, 1 TD; Xzaviar Campbell (UNLV): 9 CAR, 29 YDS, 1 TD.
- Receiving leaders: Thomas Sperbeck (BSU): 10 REC, 163 YDS; Devonte Boyd (UNLV): 10 REC, 116 YDS.
New Mexico
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lobos | 7 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 31 |
Broncos | 0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 24 |
Uniform Combination | ||
Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
---|
- Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 41–75, 506 YDS, 2 TD, 3 INT; Austin Apodaca (UNM): 8–12, 172 YDS, 1 INT.
- Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 26 CAR, 128 YDS, 1 TD; Jhurell Pressley (UNM): 9 CAR, 132 YDS, 1 TD.
- Receiving leaders: Thomas Sperbeck (BSU): 20 REC, 281 YDS; Delane Hart-Johnson (UNM): 1 REC, 81 YDS.
Air Force
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 3 | 21 | 10 | 3 | 37 |
Broncos | 13 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 30 |
Uniform Combination | ||
Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
---|
- Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 23–48, 237 YDS, 1 TD; Karson Roberts (AF): 9–16, 279 YDS, 2 TD, 3 INT.
- Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 20 CAR, 151 YDS, 1 TD; Jacobi Owens (AF): 9 CAR, 132 YDS.
- Receiving leaders: Thomas Sperbeck (BSU): 7 REC, 79 YDS, 1 TD; Garrett Griffin (AF): 3 REC, 107 YDS, 1 TD.
at San Jose State
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broncos | 0 | 9 | 7 | 24 | 40 |
Spartans | 3 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 23 |
Uniform Combination | ||
Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
---|
- Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 25–33, 197 YDS, 2 TD; Kenny Potter (SJSU): 28–41, 336 YDS, 3 TD, 2 INT.
- Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 20 CAR, 192 YDS, 2 TD; Tyler Ervin (SJSU): 11 CAR, 52 YDS.
- Receiving leaders: Thomas Sperbeck (BSU): 6 REC, 45 YDS; Billy Freeman (SJSU): 7 REC, 109 YDS, 1 TD.
Northern Illinois–Poinsettia Bowl
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broncos | 21 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 55 |
Huskies | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Uniform Combination | ||
Helmet | Jersey | Pants |
---|
- Passing leaders: Brett Rypien (BSU): 29–40, 377 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT; Ryan Graham (NIU): 7–21, 38 YDS.
- Rushing leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 19 CAR, 93 YDS, 2 TD; Joel Bouagnon (NIU): 8 CAR, 16 YDS.
- Receiving leaders: Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 5 REC, 96 YDS, 1 TD; Kenny Golladay (NIU): 3 REC, 12 YDS.
Boise State out-gained Northern Illinois 654–33 in total yards. Boise State had 2 more first downs (35) than Northern Illinois had in total yards.
Rankings
Week | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
AP | 23 | 20 | RV | RV | RV | 25 | 21 | RV | NR | RV | RV | NR | NR | NR | NR | RV | ||||||||||||||||||||
Coaches | 24 | 22 | RV | RV | RV | 24 | 20 | RV | RV | RV | RV | NR | NR | NR | NR | RV | ||||||||||||||||||||
CFP | Not released | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | Not released |
Scores by quarter
All opponents
|
Mountain West opponents
|
Post-season awards
Mountain West Freshman of the Year
Brett Rypien – Fr. QB (first Boise State player to win MW freshman of the year award)
Mountain West first team
Offense
Brett Rypien – Fr. QB
Thomas Sperbeck – Jr. WR
Marcus Henry – Sr. OL
Rees Odhiambo – Sr. OL
Tyler Rausa – Jr. K
Defense
Darian Thompson – Sr. DB
Mountain West second team
Offense
Jeremy McNichols – So. RB
Jake Roh – So. TE
Defense
Kamalei Correa – Jr. DL
Donte Deayon – Sr. DB
Mountain West honorable mention
Tyler Horn – Sr. DL
Tanner Vallejo – Jr. LB
Mario Yakoo – Jr. OL
- Award Reference:[15]
Coaching staff
Name | Position | Consecutive seasons at Boise State in current position | |
---|---|---|---|
Bryan Harsin | Head coach | 2nd | |
Kent Riddle | Associate Head Coach, Tight Ends, Special Teams Coordinator | 2nd | |
Steve Caldwell | Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Line | 2nd | |
Eliah Drinkwitz | Offensive coordinator, Quarterbacks | 1st | |
Marcel Yates | Defensive coordinator, Safeties | 2nd | |
Junior Adams | Wide Receivers | 2nd | |
Andy Avalos | Linebackers | 4th | |
Julius Brown | Secondary | 2nd | |
Scott Huff | Offensive Line | 2nd | |
Lee Marks | Running Backs | 1st | |
Jeff Pitman | Strength and Conditioning Coach | 1st | |
Reference:[16] |
Roster
References
- "Watch List". Louisville Sports Commission. February 25, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- "2015 Pre-Season Watch Lists For The Maxwell and Benarik Awards". Maxwell Football Club. July 7, 2015. Archived from the original on August 21, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- "2015 Fall Watch List". Rimington Trophy. July 8, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- "FWAA > News > Outland Trophy Watch List". Sportswriters.net. July 10, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- "Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List". Football Writers Association of America. July 10, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- "Jim Thorpe Award Names 2015 Preseason Watch List" (PDF). National College Football Awards Association. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- "2015 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List Announced". Rotary Lombardi Award. July 14, 2015. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- "2015 Biletnikoff Award Watch List". Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc. July 22, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- "2015 Watch List". All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach. December 12, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- "2015 Walter Camp Player of the Year Preseason Watch List Announced". Walter Camp Football Foundation, Inc. August 10, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- "Boise State, San Diego State, Picked to Win 2015 Mountain West Football Divisional Titles". Mountain West Conference. July 28, 2015. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- "2015 Mountain West Football Preseason All-Conference Team". Mountain West Conference. July 28, 2015. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- "2015 Boise State Broncos Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
- "Boise State QB Ryan Finley likely to miss eight weeks with broken ankle | NCAA Football". Sporting News. September 21, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
- MW. "Mountain West Announces 2015 Football All-Conference Teams and". Themwc.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
- "Official Football Roster". Boise State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved August 27, 2015.