PAUL SHUGAR/Yakima Herald-Republic Kellen Moore watches from the sidelines as Boise State takes on Southern Miss on Sept. 27 at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. The former record-setting Prosser quarterback is a redshirt freshman for the Broncos.

BOISE, Idaho — Kellen Moore is all college student as he swings into the football offices attached to Bronco Stadium. His attire starts with the prefix sweat, lunch sways from a sandwich wrapper in hand and the backpack carries everything else.

The books inside are guesswork since the Prosser graduate is yet to pick a major from the Boise State catalog. History? Education? Business? What would a future football coach get his degree in?

For a kid getting used to the "big-city life" of Boise, those decisions must wait a little bit. It's something to pile next to other responsibilities as a redshirt freshman quarterback and a student making the jump from high school to college.

"It's different," says Moore of the adjustment. "In Prosser you grow up together and everyone knows each other and they know everyone inside and out.

"Coming here to this team, everyone is from different places spread out across the country. It's a great time to meet different people and people who grew up different ways."

Teammates call him "Prosser" in honor of his small-town roots, and he's paid some freshman dues — like buying breakfast for his fellow quarterbacks after losing friendly position competitions. But he isn't the typical first-year player as many of his teammates note to the coaching staff: "Hey, this freshman kid knows what's going on."

Maybe this football IQ is what all those recruiters couldn't see after stumbling over the fact Moore is
6-foot-1 — maybe a bit of a stretch — and only 180 pounds. Nothing like those 6-5, 200-pound play-callers with cannon arms and speedy legs who leave college coaches coveting their possibilities instead of their on-field actions.

Moore's list of Washington high school state passing records — both season and career — takes up a big chunk of his bio in the Boise State media guide. What stands out the most to the Bronco coaches from his three years as a Mustang starter are three numbers — a 65.9 completion percentage (accuracy), 173 touchdown passes (winner) and only 34 interceptions (few bad decisions).

"In fall camp, when he was getting real reps, we noticed, one, he'd find the receiver when they were open in a hurry," BSU coach Chris Petersen says. "Two, he wouldn't take sacks because he'd get rid of the ball.

"Now you're talking about what really matters in football."

Paying attention to details like these helped the Broncos become known more for a great underdog victory than just their trademark blue turf. The school sells DVDs of the team's improbable 43-42 overtime Fiesta Bowl victory against powerhouse Oklahoma during home contests as the announcer proclaims, "Some call it the greatest college football game of all time."

The win for a Western Athletic Conference school was the college football equivalent of David's rock hitting Goliath between the eyes and vaulted the program into the national spotlight. ESPN will put five of the Broncos' games on its channels this year as football fans still buzz about BSU's hook and lateral and Statue of Liberty plays that led up to the thrilling finish.

These Broncos play like backyard heroes with guidance from coaches who could make ivy grow on the campus' brick walls. The program isn't built on the flash of a BCS conference membership, fueling itself instead on a belief in strong fundamentals and players who didn't like being told they were too slow, small or some other yellow flag from "big school" representatives.

Exactly what the coaches think they found in Kellen Moore, who, despite his mind-boggling numbers, received interest from only Eastern Washington, Idaho and BSU for his QB services. Most schools, especially larger ones, spurning him because of his diminutive stature while ignoring his accurate arm and well-developed instincts.

BSU coaches also are keen to the fact people who love what they do will execute well and with vigor against those who might actually have more talent. They also know a romantic relationship with the sport doesn't require the perfect body or a booming arm.

Kellen Moore's "intangibles" — how the Bronco coaching staff labels passion — comes from going to practices with his father, Prosser football coach Tom Moore, from the time he could walk. Someone who taught him not only the fundamentals of the game but the importance of watching film and being smart.

"When he gets on the board at meetings, he's very detailed on drawing up the plays and the route and what guys are doing," says Bryan Harsin, who is BSU's offensive coordinator and also mentors the quarterbacks. "He knows it, he is football smart and a football junkie; there is no doubt about that."

While some players might view a redshirt season as a boring lapse in action during their football careers, Kellen Moore is developing football acumen already honed from hours of Prosser and opponent game film on top of other action he watches during his free time. "The DVRs are always running around here," Tom Moore says, and Harsin points to the tape of the 1999 St. Louis Rams he's seen Moore take into the film room after already-long sessions.

Injuries, hotter recruits and other circumstances could keep Kellen Moore from ever coming off the sideline to take a meaningful snap for Boise State. The future in football is never clear no matter how big of an offensive guru he becomes. Right now his only action comes from mimicking offenses for the likes of Nevada or Fresno State for the Broncos' first-string defense.

The BSU coaches value scout players and watch him excel because of his football intelligence and ability to learn quickly. Talents they will evaluate more in relation to their own offense next season when Kellen Moore is a possible contender at quarterback or what Harsin describes as "another coach on the field."

"I like to just watch football in general; and watching from views we don't always get as players — certain wider angles where we can see the whole field — is something I've always enjoyed," Kellen Moore says. "Being a freshman in (the film room) a lot might be a little annoying (to teammates), but I like getting in there and watching as much as I can and pick up as much as I can."

His football education, like his wardrobe, is just entering its college phase as well.