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
ConferenceMountain West Conference
DivisionMountain Division
Record9–4 (5–3 MW)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorEliah Drinkwitz (1st season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorMarcel Yates (2nd season)
Base defenseMultiple
Home stadiumAlbertsons Stadium
Seasons
← 2014
2016 →
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
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

Preseason

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Award watch lists

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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

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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]

Media poll

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Mountain Division

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  1. Boise State – 177 (28)
  2. Utah State – 150 (2)
  3. Colorado State – 108
  4. Air Force – 90
  5. Wyoming – 64
  6. New Mexico – 41

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 48:15 p.m.Washington*No. 23ESPNW 16–1336,836
September 128:15 p.m.at BYU*No. 20ESPN2L 24–3563,470
September 187:00 p.m.Idaho State*
  • Albertsons Stadium
  • Boise, ID (Battle for the Liberty Bell)
CBSSNW 52–033,868
September 256:00 p.m.at Virginia*ESPNW 56–1442,427
October 38:15 p.m.Hawaii
  • Albertsons Stadium
  • Boise, ID
ESPN2W 55–035,907
October 105:00 p.m.at Colorado StateNo. 25CBSSNW 41–1026,117
October 167:00 p.m.at Utah StateNo. 21CBSSNL 26–5222,509
October 248:15 p.m.Wyoming 
  • Albertsons Stadium
  • Boise, ID
ESPN2W 34–1431,946
October 311:30 p.m.at UNLVESPNUW 55–2714,315
November 148:15 p.m.New Mexico
  • Albertsons Stadium
  • Boise, ID
ESPNUL 24–3132,780
November 207:30 p.m.Air Force
  • Albertsons Stadium
  • Boise, ID
ESPN2L 30–3730,332
November 271:30 p.m.at San Jose StateCBSSNW 40–2315,770
December 232:30 p.m.vs. Northern Illinois*ESPNW 55–721,501
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Mountain time
Schedule Source:[13]

Roster

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2015 Boise State Broncos football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 1 Shane Williams-Rhodes Sr
QB 3 Thomas Stuart   So
QB 4 Brett Rypien Fr
QB 5 Garrett Collingham Fr
WR 6 Chaz Anderson   Jr
QB 7 Anthony Upshaw   Fr
WR 8 Sean Modster   Fr
WR 9 Bryan Jefferson Fr
RB 10 Cory Young   Fr
RB 13 Jeremy McNichols So
QB 14 Ryan Finley   So
WR 16 Taylor Pope   Jr
WR 17 Austin Cottrell So
QB 18 Alex Ogle   Fr
WR 20 Terrell Johnson   Sr
RB 21 Jack Fields Sr
RB 26 Devan Demas   Jr
WR 28 A. J. Richardson   Fr
RB 30 Ryan Wolpin   So
RB 39 Kelsey Young   Sr
TE 47 Matt Pistone Fr
OL 52 Andrew Tercek   So
OL 57 Tennessee Su'ese'e   Fr
OL 59 Mason Hampton   So
OL 60 Kellen Buhr   Jr
OL 63 Hunter Nettles Jr
OL 66 Mario Yakoo   Jr
OL 67 Garrett Larson Fr
OL 68 Dan Urquhart   Jr
OL 70 Steven Baggett   Jr
OL 71 Rees Odhiambo   Sr
OL 72 Marcus Henry   Sr
OL 73 Travis Averill   Jr
OL 74 Archie Lewis   So
OL 76 Jerhen Ertel   Sr
OL 77 John Molchon Fr
OL 78 Andres Preciado   Fr
OL 79 Eric Quevedo Fr
WR 80 D. J. Dean   So
WR 81 Akilian Butler Fr
WR 82 Thomas Sperbeck Jr
WR 83 David McKinzie   So
TE 84 Jake Hardee   Sr
TE 85 Holden Huff   Sr
TE 86 Chase Blakley   Fr
TE 87 Alec Dhaenans   So
TE 88 Jake Roh   So
WR 89 Brock Barr Jr
TE 91 David Lucero   Fr
TE 93 Jake Knight So
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
CB 2 Jonathan Moxey Jr
S 3 Chanceller James   Jr
S 4 Darian Thompson   Sr
CB 5 Donte Deayon Sr
MLB 7 Joe Martarano   So
DL 8 Kamalei Correa Jr
CB 9 Mercy Maston   Sr
CB 14 Tyler Horton Fr
S 15 Evan Tyler Fr
S 17 Brandon Brown   So
DE 18 Jabril Frazier   Fr
OLB 20 Tanner Vallejo Jr
CB 21 Ladarryl Blair Fr
OLB 22 Drew Berger Fr
S 23 Damion Wright Fr
LB 24 Kameron Miles   So
CB 25 Raymond Ford   Jr
CB 26 Garrett Estrada Fr
CB 27 Donzale Roddie Fr
S 29 Dylan Sumner-Gardner So
CB 30 Isaiah Johnson   Fr
S 31 Skyler Seibold   Fr
DE 32 Rondell McNair   Sr
OLB 33 Gabe Perez Jr
S 34 Darreon Jackson Fr
MLB 35 Marquis Hendrix Fr
OLB 36 Tyler Gray Sr
S 37 Cameron Hartsfield   So
OLB 38 Leighton Vander Esch   Fr
DT 40 Armand Nance Sr
OLB 41 Will Heffner Fr
MLB 43 Joe Provenzano   Fr
MLB 44 Darren Lee Jr
CB 47 Eric Yates   Fr
DT 48 David Moa   Fr
DL 50 Sawyer Shields Fr
OLB 51 Ben Weaver   Jr
DL 53 Sam Whitney Fr
DL 54 Matt Locher Fr
DT 55 Tutulupeatau Mataele   Sr
DT 58 Robert Ash   Sr
DT 69 Tyler Horn   Sr
DT 90 Justin Taimatuia   Sr
DE 91 Durrant Miles Fr
DT 92 Paul Semons   Fr
DE 94 Sam McCaskill   Jr
DE 95 Khaleb Hill   Fr
DT 96 Elliot Hoyte   Jr
DT 97 Austin Silsby   So
DT 98 Antoine Turner   Sr
DT 99 Dereck Boles   Fr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
P 19 Sean Wale   Jr
LS 42 Matt Cota   So
LS 46 Kevin Keane Sr
K 48 Blake Gonzalez   Fr
K 49 Tyler Rausa   Jr
K 93 Max O'Rourke Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Kent Riddle – Associate head coach/Special teams coordinator/Tight ends
  • Steve Caldwell – Associate head coach/Defensive linemen
  • Eliah DrinkwitzOffensive coordinator/Quarterbacks
  • Marcel Yates – Co-defensive coordinator/Safeties
  • Andy AvalosCo-defensive coordinator
  • Junior AdamsWide receivers
  • Lee MarksRunning backs
  • Scott Huff – Offensive linemen
  • Julius Brown – Secondary
  • Jeff Pitman – Director, Strength and Conditioning
  • Byron Hout – Graduate assistant
  • Tommy Smith – Graduate assistant

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  •   Injured
  •   Redshirt

Roster
Last update: 8/14/23

Game summaries

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Washington

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1 2 3 4 Total
Huskies 0 0 10 3 13
No. 24 Broncos 6 10 0 0 16
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants

At BYU

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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

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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

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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

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1 2 3 4 Total
Rainbow Warriors 0 0 0 0 0
Broncos 14 35 3 3 55
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants
 
Jeremy McNichols during a 13-yard TD run in the 2nd quarter.
  • 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

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 24 Broncos 17 10 7 7 41
Rams 0 10 0 0 10
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants
 
Boise State on offense in the first half.
  • 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

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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

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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

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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

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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): 4175, 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

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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

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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

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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

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP2320RVRVRV2521RVRVRVRV
Coaches2422RVRVRV2420RVRVRVRVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

Scores by quarter

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All opponents

1 2 3 4 Total
Boise State 139 127 120 122 508
Opponents 47 108 40 68 263

Mountain West opponents

1 2 3 4 Total
Boise State 57 78 34 95 264
MW Opponents 33 87 20 44 184

Post-season awards

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Mountain West Freshman of the Year

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Brett Rypien – Fr. QB (first Boise State player to win MW freshman of the year award)

Mountain West first team

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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

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Offense

Jeremy McNichols – So. RB

Jake Roh – So. TE

Defense

Kamalei Correa – Jr. DL

Donte Deayon – Sr. DB

Mountain West honorable mention

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Tyler Horn – Sr. DL

Tanner Vallejo – Jr. LB

Mario Yakoo – Jr. OL

Award Reference:[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Watch List". Louisville Sports Commission. February 25, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ "2015 Fall Watch List". Rimington Trophy. July 8, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  4. ^ "FWAA > News > Outland Trophy Watch List". Sportswriters.net. July 10, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  5. ^ "Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List". Football Writers Association of America. July 10, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  6. ^ "Jim Thorpe Award Names 2015 Preseason Watch List" (PDF). National College Football Awards Association. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "2015 Biletnikoff Award Watch List". Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc. July 22, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  9. ^ "2015 Watch List". All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach. December 12, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  10. ^ "2015 Walter Camp Player of the Year Preseason Watch List Announced". Walter Camp Football Foundation, Inc. August 10, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "2015 Boise State Broncos Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  14. ^ "Boise State QB Ryan Finley likely to miss eight weeks with broken ankle | NCAA Football". Sporting News. September 21, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
  15. ^ MW. "Mountain West Announces 2015 Football All-Conference Teams and". Themwc.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.