Oct. 24—BSU LB Boen Phelps
The senior Freeman High graduate made a game-changing play early in the fourth quarter, picking off a pass to set up a touchdown that allowed Boise State to all but put the Cougars away. On second-and-10 with just over 12 minutes remaining, WSU quarterback Owen Eshelman expected running back Kirby Vorhees to cut left on a short route over the middle. But Vorhees went the opposite direction, and Eshelman's pass went directly into the hands of Phelps, who returned the pick 13 yards to the WSU 33. BSU scored a touchdown two plays later to go up by 14 points. Phelps, a former walk-on who has developed into a key BSU defender, finished tied for the team high with six tackles.
BSU RB Dylan Riley
The Broncos' superstar running back struggled to break off big gains for three quarters against a WSU defense that was keying in on the ground game. But Riley produced two explosive touchdown runs in the fourth quarter, turning a close game into a runaway win for Boise State. After Phelps' interception, Riley cut outside and raced 33 yards for a TD to put BSU ahead by 14. On the fourth play of the Broncos' next possession, Riley bounced outside, made two defenders miss and jetted downfield for a 72-yard score. The junior finished with 128 yards and those two TDs on 13 carries. Riley entered the game ranked No. 6 nationally in rushing yards, and boosted his total to 963 yards on the year.
