Murphy: Wilson shows why he is rarely challenged

Like any great cornerback, Kyle Wilson has a keen sense of anticipation.

Last week - seven games and very few play-making opportunities into his senior season - the All-American had a feeling that things were suddenly going to get a bit more interesting in his corner of the football field.

"I had a feeling that in some game they were going to test me," he told his roommates and fellow defensive backs Jeron Johnson and George Iloka this week.

"And I was going to be ready."

It was San Jose State on Saturday that finally decided to test Wilson, a Sporting News midseason All-American despite entering the game with 17 tackles, one pass breakup and no interceptions - a sign of his limited opportunities rather than an indictment of his play.

And Wilson was ready.

He had five tackles and his first interception of the year against the Spartans, on a terrific play where Wilson anticipated the route and cut off the receiver. Wilson returned the pick 27 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter of the Broncos' 45-7 rout.

"When Kyle gets the ball in his hands with a little bit of space, you know something good is going to happen," coach Chris Petersen said.

The problem has been getting the ball in his hands. Being an All-American cornerback means that teams don't often attempt to throw the ball your way. Being an All-WAC punt returner means that opposing punters find a way to keep the ball away, even if it means punting out of bounds.

Wilson, who returned three punts for touchdowns last year, had just 13 opportunities in six games this year. (Wilson did not play against UC Davis.)

Rather than get frustrated at the lack of opportunities, a normal response, the captain simply shrugged it off - even as teammates grabbed 12 interceptions in the Broncos' first seven games, thanks in large part to Wilson's ability to shut off his part of the field.

"I can't really do too much about it but laugh it off," Wilson said. "I know it's a respect issue."

Respect from opponents, maybe. But his lack of picks had become something of a running joke among his teammates.

"There were a few guys making fun of him. He's supposed to be all big time and he has no picks," quarterback Kellen Moore said. "Thomas Byrd told him he had just as many picks as him."

Byrd, the Broncos' starting center, will have to find a new defensive back to compare interceptions with after Saturday. Wilson finally has his pick.

"It adds icing on it," Wilson said of a senior season that he nearly opted out of.

Wilson considered entering the NFL Draft in the offseason - an advisory committee told him he'd likely be selected sometime after the third round - but opted to return for his degree. He will graduate with a degree in communications in December.

He is doing his best to enjoy every minute of his final year - one that his family is enjoying just as much as he is and his teammates are benefiting from. Wilson spent the final minutes of Saturday's blowout victory talking with younger teammates, something he does often. He'll help Chris Potter with punt returns or get into detail with younger defensive backs about the finer points of corner play.

"You have a lot of influence on people," he said. "I'm just giving them as much knowledge as I can about anything. I'm definitely trying to help them out."

But the season isn't just about passing on knowledge. Wilson is intent on improving his draft stock and getting better himself.

"He works so stinking hard in practice. He really is out there to get better," Petersen said.

Even if that's the only time he gets to show it.