By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

The Boise State football team’s defense has taken much more than a statistical toll on opposing quarterbacks this year. The Broncos, who rank second in the nation in pass-efficiency defense, have battered their opponents — knocking some out of the game and helping push others out of the starting lineup.

Here’s a rundown:

Idaho State: Russel Hill passed for 74 yards and landed on YouTube thanks to a brutal hit by safety Jeron Johnson.

Bowling Green: Three players who lined up at quarterback were knocked out of the game at least temporarily. Wide receiver Anthony Turner didn’t return and missed the next game.

Oregon: Starter Jeremiah Masoli was knocked out of the game with a concussion. Run specialist Chris Harper was 0-for-3 with two interceptions — and a couple weeks later was moved to wide receiver. However, freshman Darron Thomas looked good with three fourth-quarter touchdown passes.

Louisiana Tech: Starter Taylor Bennett was 9-of-27 with two sacks. One game later, he lost his starting job.

Southern Miss: Austin Davis was 15-of-34 passing with three sacks and an interception — his worst game of the year.

Hawaii: Inoke Funaki was intercepted five times and sacked five times. One game later, he lost his starting job.

San Jose State: Kyle Reed passed for 105 yards and the Spartans produced just seven first downs that weren’t by penalty. He bruised his tailbone, missed last week’s game at Idaho and is expected to miss this week’s game.

New Mexico State: Chase Holbrook passed for 64 yards and was sacked three times. He left the game with an injury in the third quarter.

The totals:

Knocked out of the game: 3

Lost their starting jobs: 2

Did not play the next week: 2

Moved to a different position: 1

Those numbers concern Utah State coach Brent Guy, whose new quarterback leads the Aggies in passing and rushing. Sophomore Diondre Borel (6-foot, 185 pounds) has averaged 296.3 total yards in the last three games — his first three as the full-time quarterback.

“For his size, he has shown a lot of toughness,” Guy said. “… He makes everybody around him better.”