Game balls for Boise State vs New Mexico

Exactly what happened to the Bronco defense in the first quarter of Saturday's game would confound even Robert Stack, but when it's November and your team is still alive in the conference title race...you're contractually obligated to say "a win is a win". So let's not dwell on who gave up 500 rushing yards to who (whom?...help me, BoiseBlues), there are still game balls to hand out.

Grant Hedrick, QB

Hedrick continued to stunning turnaround since the ill-fated Air Force game, earning Conference Player of the Week honors for the Broncos' victory over the Lobos. Grant put up some of the best numbers in the country on Saturday night, accounting for nearly 500 yards of offense and 6 TDs in the win. Did I mention that Hedrick is 2nd in the nation in completion percentage? Good job, Grant!

Thomas Sperbeck, WR

Sperbeck's evolution sure has been fun to watch, I'm still just bummed that his emergence from his cocoon was tied so closely to Matt Miller's misfortune. Nonetheless, Sperbeck hasn't just picked up Miller's flag, he's sprinting up the mountainside with it. Sperbeck had a season (and career) best 9 catches for 164 yards against the Lobos, and that's just one game after lighting up BYU for 148. Safe to say our young lad has arrived.

Jay Ajayi, RB

Jay rushed for over 100 yards for his fourth straight game on Saturday night and once again put the team on his back in the 4th quarter, helping to salt away the game clock when the Lobos were still well within striking distance. Ajayi's 236 all-purpose yards and 3 TDs also put him in some elite company...he passed Austin Pettis on the Boise State career TDs list and moved into 3rd place in the country in all-purpose yards per game.

Dan Goodale, K

Goodale was again perfect on Saturday night, going 2 for 2 and improving his season FGM to 14. Maybe equally important, Goodale is leading the country in touchbacks currently—an important stat when you see what the UNM return man was able to do with a fieldable ball. Goodale received MWC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his efforts on Saturday...the first special teams honor the Broncos since joining the conference in 2011.

Lame balls

First half defense. Don't do that again.