DENVER — Hunter Sharp has had to wait a long time to make an impact on his football team.

The NFL rookie and former Utah State wide receiver made a difference in Saturday night’s preseason game with the Denver Broncos, though — a game that featured as many as seven former local college standouts, and four others on the bench.

Sharp caught two catches for a team-high 41 yards, along with the game-winning touchdown, in the Broncos’ 20-17 preseason win over Green Bay at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver.

“It feels great to be able to catch touchdowns,” Sharp said. “I haven’t caught a touchdown since the Idaho Potato Bowl, and it was amazing.

“This is the longest I’ve had to sit out of football in forever, and it feels even better than usual.”

Sharp didn’t enter the game until the middle of the third quarter, but he scored a touchdown 2:58 before the fourth quarter that gave the home team a 20-10 lead and proved to be the decisive score.

His first catch was a 20-yard grab at the 2:58 mark of the third quarter, and he converted from 21 yards out on a deep pass into the right corner of the end zone that gave the Broncos a 20-10 lead with 2:16 left in the third.

The touchdown capped a 41-yard drive over 3:39 between Sloter and Sharp, and gave the Broncos a lead they would never relinquish as Sharp tries to make his first NFL regular-season roster in an organization he’s come to love.

“The feeling I got was electric; it was a great feeling,” Sharp said of the Broncos. “These came off a Super Bowl, then not making the playoffs, and all of the guys here are serious about winning games.

“The culture here is great.”

Here’s how the other locals in a packed preseason game fared Saturday night in Denver, including the leading receiver on each team coming from a Utah college.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Jamaal Williams, running back, BYU

Williams has nearly cemented himself as the Packers’ No. 2 running back. Ty Montgomery was the lead back through the entire first quarter, but Williams entered on the second series of the second quarter for Green Bay.

Montgomery led all rushers with 31 yards and a touchdown, while Williams had two rushes for two yards. The Fontana, California native did prove himself in the passing game, catching 1 pass for 9 yards, as well.

The Packers went to Williams on back-to-back plays in the second quarter, a short run up the middle with 7:04 left in the half followed by a pass from Brett Hundley out of the right side that went for 20 yards.

Williams found himself wide open in the flats for another 17-yard gain from Hundley with 4:23 left in the half.

Kyler Fackrell, linebacker, Utah State

The former Aggie star started on special teams for Green Bay, and entered in the second quarter at outside linebacker. The Packers sent him to rush off the edge in the second quarter — matching him up with former Utah offensive tackle Garett Bolles.

Fackrell made one tackle on special teams, and another one on defense.

Marwin Evans, safety, Utah State

The veteran defensive back saw significant work on special teams, especially on punt coverage, for Green Bay. He also entered the game briefly in the second quarter at defensive back.

Evans finished with two tackles, a tackle for loss and three pass breakups.

Devante Mays, running back, Utah State

The seventh-round pick entered the game around the two-minute warning mark of the second quarter, playing through the fourth.

Mays finished with 12 yards on five rushes, and added a 5-yard reception as well.

Colby Pearson, wide receiver, BYU

The former Cougar wide out from Blackfoot, Idaho played out the final five moments for the Packers on offense, but did not register a catch.

Taysom Hill, quarterback, BYU

DNP: Hill, one of four quarterbacks on Green Bay’s roster, did not play for the first time in the preseason. After Aaron Rodgers exited the game early, veteran backup Brett Hundley played the majority of the game, completing 20-of-30 passes for 186 yards and running 14 yards and a touchdown on five carries.

DENVER BRONCOS

Garett Bolles, offensive tackle, Utah/Snow College/Westlake HS

The former Snow College and University of Utah standout started at left tackle for Denver, where head coach Vance Joseph has declared him the starter for the Broncos’ opening day.

Bolles showed off his run blocking by trucking defenders, and pass blocking by sealing edges, while also showing off his son Kingston in the stands for his first NFL game.

Devontae Booker, running back, Utah

DNP — Injured.

Wrist surgery in late July curtailed his training camp and preseason, but head coach Vance Joseph said Booker could return as early as the second week of the regular season, and would therefore start the season on the active roster instead of the physically unable to perform list.

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