As we twiddle our thumbs waiting for the Mountain West Conference football championship game this Saturday, we can at least feast our eyes on post regular-season awards.
And feast we shall.
The Broncos made out like bandits with 19 footballers getting recognized for playing this game very well. Or, at least, well enough to be singled out in some capacity.
In the lead-off spot with a Defensive Player of the Year Award, the conference’s head coaches and select media chose Boise State’s own Idaho native: Mr. Leighton Vander Esch. I cannot do his season justice with my own words, so I am going to let the Bronco’s press release do it for me:
Vander Esch's selection marks the first time that a Bronco has taken home the Mountain West's top defensive award, and he becomes Boise State's first conference defensive player of the year since Korey Hall earned the WAC's top honor in 2006.