PAT HINKEL, LINEBACKER
Hinkel started 26 consecutive games at safety the past two seasons, but moved to weak-side linebacker in the spring.
Now he leads the team with 18 tackles and two interceptions, including one that he returned for a touchdown last week.
“I’m just always focused on great hustle and getting to the ball, playing fast,” he said.
Hinkel played safety in high school but often was close to the line of scrimmage, so he’s comfortable there.
He said he didn’t hesitate when coaches told him of their plan.
“I love (defensive coordinator Jay Peterson),” Hinkel said. “He has a great passion about the game. ... I wouldn’t change anything. I love working with my linebackers.”
Hinkel was the captain of an Ohio state championship team in high school.
NICK HARWELL, WIDE RECEIVER
Harwell ranked second in the nation with 129.6 receiving yards per game last season. He made 97 catches, including nine for touchdowns. Sports Illustrated named him an honorable mention All-American.
This year, he caught eight passes for 120 yards against Ohio State — including grabs of 42 and 44 yards — before Southern Illinois held him to three catches with double-teams.
“He’s an awesome football player, an awesome person,” quarterback Zac Dysert said. “He makes my job so much easier. He understands football a lot. He understands defenses, when to adjust his routes, when to go to hot routes. He runs great routes and has great hands.”
Andy Cruse leads the team with 20 catches. He’s a possession target at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds. He averages 5.4 yards per catch.
ZAC DYSERT, QUARTERBACK
The Broncos have expressed tremendous respect for Dysert, a polished passer who has a knack for extending plays with his scrambling ability.
Dysert has completed 66.3 percent of his passes and been sacked on just three of 92 plays.
Boise State linebacker J.C. Percy said Dysert is the best quarterback the Broncos have faced “in a long time.”
“We’re going to have to do some special things to be able to stop him,” Percy said. “He can make plays. If somebody gets close to him, he’s going to be able to scramble and break tackles and continue to make the play last.”
Dysert made his college debut in mop-up duty in 2009 at Boise State.
“I just remember it being really loud, a great environment,” he said. “We’re excited to go back there.”
