BOISE — The first time Tyler Shoemaker saw a game at Bronco Stadium, it was enough to make him want to play there someday.

That game was in 2002, when he moved to Meridian from Tennessee. Seven years later, he's a key receiver for Boise State, but that feeling of seeing his first Bronco game hasn't gone away.

"I remember thinking the 'that's another Bronco first down' thing with the whole crowd was so cool," Shoemaker said. "Even now, I have to hold myself from doing it when I'm out there on the field."

Idaho players have been the backbone of the Boise State program, despite being perceived as a state lacking in talent.

The four teams ahead of the Broncos in the Associated Press poll — Florida, Texas, Alabama and Cincinnati all have deep pools of players to draw from in their own back yards. Idaho, with 1.5 million people, has about as many people as the Austin, Texas metropolitan area.

"There are some good football players here, but the main thing is recruiting is so population based," Boise State head coach Chris Petersen said. "... We've been very fortunate."

Eight Idaho high schoolers signed with FBS schools in February, with three headed to Boise State. The Broncos have found other ways to get Idaho players not only on the roster, but also to make big contributions.

Key players like kicker Kyle Brotzman (Meridian), linebacker J.C. Percy (Blackfoot), Shoemaker (Mountain View) and offensive tackle Michael Ames (Centennial) all were walk-ons who earned scholarships.

"One of the reasons I've come here and other guys from our state have been willing to walk-on is because we know if we work our butts off, we'll get a chance to play," Percy said.

Tight end Kyle Efaw (Capital), offensive tackle Nate Potter (Timberline), running back Matt Kaiserman (Skyview), defensive end Shea McClellin (Marsing) and receiver Mitch Burroughs (Meridian) all grayshirted, which meant delaying their enrollment a semester.

That process allowed them to focus on building size, strength and speed in the fall, then joining the team in the spring, which gave them essentially an extra semester of practices before the rest of the freshmen came in the fall.

"The whole thing about college football is developing guys," Petersen said. "(Grayshirting) is the ideal thing."

Petersen said he likes to grayshirt in-state players, not because they are behind the curve of recruits from other states, but because their families can likely afford the semester of in-state tuition before they officially join the team.

Finding creative ways to get Idahoans on the field and prepared for high-level Division I football is a drawing point for local players.

"At first you wonder maybe why you aren't wanted right away, but all of us, once we see the big picture, we know they're doing everything they can to make us the best players we can be," Kaiserman said.

With Idaho players in recent years like Brock Forsey, Jeb Putzier and Korey Hall either walking on or coming from small schools with little interest from "big" programs, it provides plenty of inspiration.

"When you would go to football camps and the big schools would see you're from Idaho, they wouldn't really take you seriously," Kaiserman said. "You grow up seeing those great players who were in the same situation as you, and you think 'I can do that, too.'"

Look at the contributions Idahoans have made to the Broncos this season, and though it's easy to see that the state has a small population, its ability to produce good football players is unquestioned.

Kaiserman ran for 122 yards Oct. 24 at Hawaii in his first collegiate game, Efaw is second on the team with 15 catches and Shoemaker is third with 251 receiving yards. Brotzman has hit 12-of-16 field goals and averages 47 yards per punt. Percy is third on the team with 28 tackles and McClellin broke out with 1.5 sacks in Oct. 14's 28-21 win at Tulsa.

"There's definitely a sense of pride being from Idaho and playing for Boise State," Kaiserman said. "When you can be from this state and make plays for this team that is such a great program, you feel part of something special."

Shoemaker scored his first career touchdown last season in the home opener against Idaho State, and Burroughs got his first career score Saturday against San Jose State. It was something he did often in high school with the Warriors, but it was different doing it in the blue and orange.

"You can't make too big a deal out of it, because you hope for more in your career, but to get that first one at home was a pretty amazing feeling," Burroughs said.

Kellen Moore sixth on ESPN.com's Heisman Watch

Sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore fell a spot to sixth on ESPN.com's Heisman Watch this week. The Web site's Pat Forde has Moore as his leader thus far, however, saying "He leads an undefeated, top-10 team. He leads the nation in passing efficiency, and the race really isn't close. What's not to love about 24 touchdowns and two interceptions?"

Moore is second with 24 touchdown passes, trailing only Houston's Case Keenum (25).