And the NUGie for Defensive MVP goes to ...

The first annual NUGie awards are a celebration of the players, plays, moments, and memories from the past year of Boise State football. Get backstage information on the OBNUG Facebook group, and learn more about the awards on the NUGies homepage.

NUGie Defensive MVP

Boise State's offense might get the glory, but it is Boise State's defense that provides the guts. Guts that hold opponents to one touchdown per game. Guts that bend but don't break. Guts that force turnovers and make plays and take away what other teams do best.

Dominant guts.

Boise State's defensive performance this season was integral to the overall team success. without the play of big hitters like Jeron Johnson and Ellis Powers or stingy DBs like Kyle Wilson and Brandyn Thompson, Boise State would have had a much harder time coasting through the regular season undefeated.

Legacy.

The defense made a name for itself in 2008. Shutout. And they forced Bronco fans to look at the team in a different way. Paradigm shift. The mark that the BSU "D" left on opponents and on Boise State history will last for years to come. Tattoos. And we have these people to thank.

The nominees for NUGie Defensive MVP are:

• CB Kyle Wilson. Team-leading five interceptions, 10 pass breakups, stylish dreadlocks.


• S Jeron Johnson. Team-leading 98 tackles, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries, one big hit on Idaho State QB Russell Hill.


• S/LB Ellis Powers. 78 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries for two TDs, may or may not have been guilty of unnecessary roughness on Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli.


• DE Mike T. Williams. Four sacks, six TFLs, innumerable quarterback pressures, intangible leadership skills.


• LB Kyle Gingg. 76 tackles, two forced fumbles, marked improvement from junior season, had a bloody nose in that one game.

Congratulations to Ellis Powers. His contributions on defense represented a seismic shift in attitude and strategy for the Broncos this season, so we felt he deserved to be recognized as the most valuable player on a revamped unit.