A broken ankle cost Ryan Dinwiddle a chance to set an NCAA record last season. But he's not bitter about it.

Surprisingly, the prolific Boise State quarterback said the injury has been a blessing in disguise.

"I'm fully recovered and, in fact, this is the most athletic, healthiest and strongest I've ever been," Dinwiddie said. "To rehab, I just got to do some more exercises and built up my calves and strengthened the muscles around my ankle."

Due to the rehabilitation exercises, Dinwiddie dropped a 10th of a second off his 40-yard dash time and added an inch to his verical leap, making the signal caller an even scarier opponent.

Midway through the second quarter of Boise State's second game of the season, against Arkansas, Dinwiddie broke his ankle. The Broncos lost that contest, their only defeat of the season, and the injury forced Dinwiddie to miss four games. Playing on a hobbled ankle, Dinwiddie returned on Oct. 18 against Fresno State and played one of his best games ever.

Dinwiddie completed 19-of-22 passes for 406 yards and five touchdowns in Boise State's 67-21 victory. He finished the season with 2,283 yards, 20 touchdowns - compared to just three interceptions - and a 188.18 efficiency rating. That mark was the best in the nation and would have shattered the NCAA single-season record, but Dinwiddie only played in 69.2 percent of his team's games. To qualify for an NCAA record, players have to participate in 75 percent of their team's games.

But he still earned the respect of his coach, Dan Hawkins.

"Well, he's talented, tough, competitive," he said. "He works very hardto get himself prepared. He can see the field. Other than not being 6-foot-5, he's got everything you want in a quarterback."

Hawkins' had better hope Dinwiddie is everything a coach needs in a quarterback. Boise State lost four important cogs in their offensive machine to graduation - running back Brock Forsey (1,648 yards and 26 touchdowns) and receivers Billy Wingfield, Lou Faucchi and Jay Swillie (combined 134 receptions and 18 touchdowns).

But Dinwiddie is confident the Broncos can overcome those losses.

"I'm not too worried," he said. "The experience isn't there, but the ability is there.

"I'm sure we'll have some times when we struggle. Our goal is to get better each week. Our goal is to be where we were last season by the end of this season."

While the Broncos aren't receiving much preseason hype - they are unranked despite finishing 12th and 15th, respectively, in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches and Associated Press polls last season - Dinwiddie is getting a lot of attention. He's been named to the preseason list for both the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Davey O'Brien Award.

The recognition he's receiving is part of Dinwiddie's personal goals.

"I want to win the WAC. I want to be the offensive player of the year in the WAC, since I'm the preseason offensive player of the year," he said. "And I want to be listed up there with the top quarterbacks in the nation. With us winning games, that will happen."

Despite losing out on the single-season efficiency record, Dinwiddie is on pace to break the career mark, currently held by former Florida standout Danny Wuerffel. Entering the Broncos' game against Boise State today, Dinwiddie's efficiency rating is 173.11, which is nearly 10 points higher than Wuerffel's record.

And he's also the offensive focus for Idaho State in today's matchup.

"On offense, you have to stop Ryan Dinwiddie," Bengals coach Larry Lewis said. "He does a good job getting the ball to his receivers."

"He's a good player - a real good player," Idaho State defensive tackle Mark Weivoda added. "He's posted good numbers and he's really good. Just like with any quarterback, we have to get in his face and hope the corners lockdown good."