BOISE - Most college football players aren't trusted with starting roles in their first year on campus.

Sure, there are exceptions. At Boise State, Titus Young and George Iloka played in their true freshman seasons, while receiver Kirby Moore is doing the same this fall.

But for every Iloka, there are 10 guys like Cedric Febis and Chandler Koch, young players who cut their teeth on special teams and wait for playing time.

"I kind of bought in to my role to do whatever it takes to make the team better," Febis said. "If that's being a backup, I'm more than happy to fill that role. If they need me, they'll use me."

Febis is Iloka's backup at free safety, and since both are sophomores, the pair will likely compete for a starting role the rest of their careers. That forces Febis to treat each play with respect, with determination.

"Every chance you get to shine on the field, every chance you get to get in, you just have to show what you got," Febis said. "Don't mess up, don't be afraid to make mistakes, but just go out and give it 100 percent and good things will happen."

Travis Stanaway is in similar shoes, backing up Jeron Johnson at strong safety. Johnson leads the team in tackles for the second consecutive season.

"It's tough being behind Jeron because he's an All-WAC player and he's definitely the best safety on the team," Stanaway said. "I'm trying to learn from him and when I get a chance, try to show the coaches I can play on defense.

"If we're up or Jeron gets dinged, I go in and try to fill in his shoes, play up to his level."

Stanaway is a sophomore while Johnson is a junior, leaving an open door for Stanaway to take the spot as a senior. In the meantime he plays on the kickoff, kickoff return and punt return units. Despite a somewhat slight 185-pound frame, he is fearless.

"It's more instinct than anything," Stanaway said. "In the game you don't think, you just go. If you hit them high, you hit them high and if you hit them low, you hit them low. You just do what comes natural."

Since the seventh-ranked Broncos have blown out numerous foes this season, the backups are getting their time.

Koch made his first career reception against Hawaii at tight end. He spent all of 2008 on the practice squad, a unit made up of true freshmen who run opposing teams' schemes throughout the season to prepare the starters.

"It made you grow up real fast," Koch said. "You're a freshman, coming out of high school and the speed is totally different. Going up against Ryan Winterswyk every day you learn real fast how to play college football. You definitely get better on the scout team, going up against the No. 1's every day."

Aaron Burks was on the cusp of burning his redshirt at the start of this season, but BSU coaches instead chose to play Moore as a true freshman and sit Burks out for the 2009 season. Burks said the coaches were upfront with the decision to sit him, even though he graduated early and played in spring ball.

Instead of sitting behind Young and Austin Pettis, Burks is learning opposing offenses, their routes, tendencies, etc. Every day he faces Kyle Wilson and the No. 1 defense.

"(Wilson) can read me real easy," Burks said. "I go out there and try to make plays against him. I know that's going to help my game. Spring time is what's really got me excited, to get back in there and play in our offense."

With each repetition, each drill, each practice, each second of game time, Burks and company are growing into the players that will make an impact in the seasons to come.