D.J. HARPER AND JAY AJAYI, TAILBACKS

Ajayi, a powerful redshirt freshman, has emerged as a nice complement to Harper, the explosive senior. Harper has rushed for at least 90 yards four times this season; Ajayi has done that twice.

Harper’s all-around game — including pass blocking — makes him the starter, but Ajayi is getting more playing time each week.

“It really is a nice 1-2 punch,” offensive line coach Chris Strausser said. “And it’s probably the first time for a while we can truly say 1-2 punch in the sense I think they’re different backs.”

Said Harper: “First you’re going to have to break down to try to catch somebody who’s a little more shifty, and then when you’re on your heels, (Ajayi) might run you right over.”

GERALDO BOLDEWIJN, WIDE RECEIVER

Boldewijn, a junior, made three catches last week against Fresno State — the eighth three-catch game of his career. But he never has had more than that. Boldewijn missed the first four games this season and last season because of NCAA suspensions. All those missed opportunities — in games and in practices — have prevented him from truly breaking out.

Against Fresno State, he made a nice play on his third career touchdown catch but did not adjust his route based on the coverage later in the game. A pass that could have gone for a long gain fell incomplete.

“He’s going to have to really keep having good days in practice,” coach Chris Petersen said. “He still is a young player experience-wise. … He’s done a great job on scout team running around, but there’s not a lot of detail when you’re doing the scout team and there’s tremendous detail that can show up on Saturday. He’ll continue to make progress.”

J.C. PERCY, LINEBACKER

Percy, a senior, could become the Broncos’ first first-team all-conference linebacker since Korey Hall in 2006. Percy has 56 tackles in six games — putting him on pace for 121 tackles.

That would be the most tackles by a Bronco since the school moved to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 1996. Jeremy Haener holds the record with 119 in 1996. Byron Hout led the team last year with 69 tackles.

Percy has 233 career tackles with a career high of 65 as a sophomore.

“He’s gotten better,” coach Chris Petersen said. “It’s all those subtle things. He really understands what we’re doing. He’s quick to read blocks and he studies tape. He knows our scheme inside and out. He’s really, really tough. That combination of all those intangibles makes him a really good player and sets him up for a good year.”