B.R. HOLBROOK, QUARTERBACK
The fifth-year senior is on his fourth head coach and has endured a rash of injuries and health issues, including mono (2009), knee surgery (2010), chest inflammation (fall camp this year) and a rib injury (vs. Texas).
He has started 16 games over the past three seasons.
“He’s a unique guy — one of the toughest guys I’ve ever been around,” New Mexico coach Bob Davie said. “He is pretty talented.”
Holbrook is more of a passer than a runner but has adapted well to the pistol-based triple option — not a surprise considering he won the team’s award for unselfishness last year.
“There’s been a lot of change around here — not a lot of consistency,” Holbrook said. “It would be nice to be in one system my years in college, but that wasn’t the case.”
DALLAS BOLLEMA, LINEBACKER
He experienced a breakout year in 2011 and is off to a terrific start this year, including a 14-tackle game against Texas Tech. Thirteen of those stops were solos.
He has a team-high 31 tackles, on pace to shatter his total of 68 last year. He plays inside but is a dangerous pass rusher in the 3-4 scheme.
“I like just to see myself as a fly-around player,” Bollema said. “Wherever the ball’s at, I’m going to give effort and go pursue it and hopefully get in on the hit so I can cause some ruckus.”
Coach Bob Davie liked the way Bollema played against the Lobos’ top opponents. “He is productive,” Davie said. “Even in the game against Texas, he had a couple big hits. Texas Tech, where they really got after us, he was productive. He’s a good football player.”
CHASE CLAYTON, KICKOFF RETURNER
Clayton already has won the College Football Performance Awards National Kick Returner of the Week award twice this season. He scored on 98-yard returns against Southern and Texas Tech.
The sophomore leads the nation with a 43.3-yard average.
“I think he’s eating some magic food or something,” linebacker Dallas Bollema said. “He’s got great speed. He’s a great disciplined player. He’s getting in the right holes at the right times and making big plays.”
Boise State has done a nice job covering kickoffs so far, allowing 20.7 yards per return with a long of 31. And Clayton’s role might be small in this game. Boise State kickoff specialist Trevor Harman will get a boost from the altitude (5,326) in Albuquerque and should have a high touchback percentage.
