Courtesy of Boise State Athletic Media Relations
BOISE, Idaho – The tribute continued to arrive for senior cornerback and King of Chaos Tyler Horton Tuesday, as he was named the Bronko Nagurski Trophy National Defensive Player of the Week after his two-touchdown performance in Saturday’s 56-20 victory at Troy.
Horton had previously earned his second-career Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week honor Monday. He entered 2018 as a preseason candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Award, and the Jim Thorpe Award.
Tuesday’s recognition comes after Horton paced a four-turnover effort from the Bronco defense by deflecting a pass that led to an interception, and returning two fumbles for touchdowns to become just the fifth player in FBS history to achieve the feat. Horton’s first fumble return for a touchdown came in the third quarter, as he plucked a loose ball out of the air and weaved 55 yards to the end zone through would-be tacklers, and his second came on an 11-yard scoop-and-score to put the Broncos up 49-20 in the fourth quarter and ice the game.
The two scores not only gave Horton the opportunity to twice take his seat upon the Turnover Throne, the hottest accessory in college football, but also gave him four defensive touchdowns for his career. The Fresno, Calif., native had previously made an 85-yard pick-six against Washington State (Sept. 10, 2016) and a 21-yard fumble return against Air Force (Nov. 18, 2017).
No. 20/19 Boise State opens its 2018 home slate Saturday night against Connecticut (0-1) at 8:15 p.m. on ESPNU.
