Harris and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders got into a fight at the end of a play in which they were matched up against each other.The players shook hands before practice end

For a brief stretch of last season, Boise State lost its way.Coach Bryan Harsins usually methodical program suffered a brief lapse and with it went the Broncos spot as the dominant power in the Mountain West Conference.We needed to focus a little bit better than we did last year, Harsin said. Also understand that we werent a surprise to anybody when we played.Losses to New Mexico and Air Force last November served as a turning point. Boise States response to missing out on the Mountain West title -- beating San Jose State and then routing Northern Illinois 55-7 in the Poinsettia Bowl -- gave Harsin the belief that the resolve needed for the Broncos to remain a power in their conference and in the national discussion was still there.What I think you saw the last two games ... was the kind of football team that we want to be, Harsin said. And hopefully that will continue and carry over. Thats who we are.The potential is there for another special season on the blue turf. Offensively, the Broncos have three of the top talents in the Mountain West with sophomore quarterback Brett Rypien, running back Jeremy McNichols and wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck. They also return an experienced offensive line.The question will be its defense. The Broncos are fine at linebacker with Ben Weaver and Tanner Vallejo, but are inexperienced on the defensive line and in the secondary. And that secondary will get tested early, namely Week 2 when the Broncos host Washington State, their most challenging non-conference opponent.ENCORE, ENCORE: Rypien wasnt supposed to play last season. The plan was to redshirt the quarterback. When Ryan Finley went down with an injury, Harsin immediately turned to Rypien. He responded by throwing for 3,353 yards and 20 touchdowns in his college debut.Rypien was helped by McNichols, who ran for 1,337 yards and 20 touchdowns, and Sperbeck was his favorite target. Even though it came in a loss, Sperbeck set a Boise State record with 20 catches against New Mexico. That trio should be able to help carry the Broncos offense early while their defense matures.YOUTH SERVED: Linebacker is not an issue for the Broncos. Its elsewhere on the defense where Boise State is counting on new faces to get up to speed in a hurry. The defensive line has some experience on the edge but little playing time among the possible interior linemen. In the secondary, cornerback Jonathan Moxey and safety Chanceller James return but the rest are inexperienced. Getting the secondary solidified is a priority.I think they have to mature, Harsin said. I think our entire team does. ... Ive seen an experienced side of the ball be crummy and an inexperienced side be dumb enough to go out there and dominate. I hope we all have this rookie mentality.SEASON OPENER: Youth is the theme of Boise States defense entering the season and it may get tested right away. The Broncos open at Louisiana with former LSU quarterback Anthony Jennings the presumptive starter for the Ragin Cajuns. Boise State understood its new secondary was going to get tested against Washington State in Week 2 but the opener could be a litmus test of where the young Broncos defensive backs are in their development.KEY GAMES: The last time a non-conference team came into Boise and beat the Broncos in a regular-season game was 2001 when Washington State won 41-20. The Cougars provide Boise State its first challenge, but the toughest stretch for the Broncos comes in mid-October. The Broncos travel to New Mexico, host Colorado State and then five days later host BYU. Survive that stretch and the Broncos may not be challenged again until the season finale at Air Force.PREDICTION: The schedule is set up for Boise State to be part of the national conversation. The Broncos two toughest non-conference games -- Washington State and BYU -- are at home. 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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos are preparing for 2016 without their starting defensive end while anticipating the return of one of their most important defenders.The loss of veteran Vance Walker to a torn ACL in his right knee has given some young players a chance to move into his starting role. Meanwhile, linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who participated in drills Tuesday, is expected to return to practice within a week.Hes real close, coach Gary Kubiak said. I think youll see him be a part of the team here in about four, five days. Hes made that much progress. So hopefully next week Im talking to you guys about him.Ware has not practiced yet while dealing with back issues. He was placed on the non-football injury/illness list at the start of training camp, but the sight of him on the hill beyond practice Tuesday was a sign that he is almost back.It was good news for the Broncos after a tough day Monday. Walker went down early in practice and was carted off the field. An MRI revealed the torn ACL that will most likely cost him the season.Its huge losing Vance. He was a great rotational guy for us last year, cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said. We have so much depth on the D-line, one of those young guys will have a great opportunity to step up.Jared Crick is getting the first crack at taking over Walkers spot. Crick played four years with Houston before Denver signed him as an unrestricted free agent in April.Im taking the same mindset, no matter where Im at on the field or what my role is, Crick said. When it comes to game time, wherever they put me thats fine. Ill know Ive prepared the right way. If everybody prepares like a starter, the second they get into the game theyre ffine.dddddddddddde will get a chance to impress when the Broncos practice against San Francisco on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of the teams preseason game in Denver on Saturday night. The practices against the 49ers are expected to be physical, so the Broncos held a light, 90-minute practice Tuesday without pads or helmets.We had a good practice (Monday) in pads and pretty quick and light today, Kubiak said.The Broncos are looking forward to hitting another team after spending most of the last three weeks going at each other. The strain of training camp showed Monday when Harris and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders got into a fight at the end of a play in which they were matched up against each other.The players shook hands before practice ended.Its football, man, Harris said. Were good.Saturdays game will have more star power for Denver. Linebacker Von Miller and guard Russell Okung are expected to play after sitting out against Chicago on Thursday, and Harris also could get in.Kubiak indicated he will use the same plan for his quarterbacks against the 49ers. Mark Sanchez played the first quarter against the Bears, Trevor Siemian played the second and rookie Paxton Lynch ran the team in the second half.Cornerback Aqib Talib has been going through full practices but will not play against San Francisco. Kubiak said the goal is to have him play in the third preseason game, against the Los Angeles Rams.Game notes NT Sylvester Williams was excused from practice for personal reasons. ... S Ryan Murphy and CB Taurean Nixon were again held out of practice. ' ' '