Boise State sophomore starting safety Lee Hightower and true freshman tight end Hayden Plinke did not make the trip to Wyoming because of unspecified team rules violations.
Asked whether they would return next week against San Diego State, coach Chris Petersen said, “Probably not.”
Redshirt freshman Darian Thompson, who had two interceptions in the first seven games as the No. 3 safety, replaced Hightower in the lineup.
Third-string quarterback Jimmy Laughrea was not in uniform for the third time in four games. Petersen has said it’s not a disciplinary issue but that Laughrea “has a few things going on right now.”
True freshman tailback Jack Fields also did not make the trip because of an injury. He likely will return next week, Petersen said.
INJURIES MOUNT
The personnel losses continued during the game with four injuries on defense. Petersen did not provide any updates on those players.
Cornerback Bryan Douglas and defensive tackle Greg Grimes were on crutches on the sideline at the end of the game. Nickel Dextrell Simmons and defensive end Kharyee Marshall also left the game.
Petersen hinted that he might need to pull the redshirt year of a true freshman to get through the rest of the season.
“We’ll see when we get back,” he said.
THE STREAK ENDS
Boise State’s five-game streak of first-half shutouts ended when Wyoming quarterback Brett Smith ran 4 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.
It was the first time an opponent had scored in the first half since the Sept. 15 game against Miami (Ohio).
“That’s a pretty good streak, huh?” Petersen said. “That one was going to come to an end sooner or later.”
The Broncos still have not trailed in the past six and a half games, dating to late in the first half of the Miami game.
The defense also allowed a touchdown of longer than 7 yards for the first time, in the fourth quarter. Smith ran 23 yards for a touchdown against mostly second- and third-teamers.
HARPER IMPRESSES AGAIN
Boise State senior tailback D.J. Harper rushed 19 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. He also made two catches for 18 yards.
It was Harper’s fourth 100-yard game this season. He has 10 rushing touchdowns and 11 total touchdowns. He moved to fifth in school history with his 34th career rushing TD.
MILLER TOPS 100
Boise State sophomore wide receiver Matt Miller made a game-high seven catches for 78 yards. He has 104 catches in 21 career games. Austin Pettis, who holds the school career receptions record, needed 27 games to reach 100.
“He’s a really easy target — he has really good hands and runs good routes,” junior quarterback Joe Southwick said. “He’s been a nice little rock in our offense.”
WILLIAMS-RHODES STRIKES
Boise State true freshman wide receiver Shane Williams-Rhodes rushed three times for 46 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown. He lined up at tailback at least twice, including on the TD.
The touchdown came on a play the Broncos have used for years, giving the defense the idea that they’re going left and pitching the ball to Williams-Rhodes going right.
“He’s the ultimate space guy,” Petersen said of the shifty freshman. “If we can get him out there and create space — whether we flip it to him or throw it to him or hand it to him — he’s going to do some things. We’ve got to keep doing some things with him.”
QUICK HITS
Boise State wore orange pants, white jerseys and white Pro Combat helmets. … It was 31 degrees with an 18 mph wind at kickoff. … Boise State’s captains were tight end Chandler Koch, Simmons, defensive tackle Mike Atkinson and wide receiver Tyler Jackson. … Boise State won the coin toss for the fifth straight game and deferred. … Senior linebacker J.C. Percy led the Broncos with 10 tackles. He has a career-high 70 and leads the team by 30.
