Game Review: Boise State upsets No. 23 Fresno State in a one-sided game 40-14

The Boise State football team defeated the 23rd ranked Fresno State Bulldogs 40-14 in a one-sided matchup on Saturday, Nov. 6.

The Bulldogs were predicted to win, but the Broncos went out and arguably played their best game of the season to bring home a win.

Boise State is now 5-4 on the season after two straight wins on the road. This puts the team above .500 wins on the season.

“I had a pretty good idea that we were able to [win] today because of how we worked throughout the week,” said head coach Andy Avalos. “Nobody wavered from the plan that we had set throughout the course of the week.”

The Broncos started the game off hot. Their defense forced a turnover on downs, which led to a 47-yard field goal by sophomore Jonah Dalmas. This field goal was his longest of the season.

“I’m grateful that my teammates have that trust in me to go out and execute that kick,” Dalmas said. “I’m grateful that we are all able to do our jobs to get those points on the board.”

The Broncos followed Dalmas’ field goal with an interception by fifth-year defensive back Kekaula Kaniho, leading to a one-yard touchdown run for senior running back Andrew Van Buren.

The Broncos tacked on another field goal by Dalmas to open up the second quarter making the score 13-0. The Bulldogs responded with a touchdown in the middle of the quarter, but the Broncos responded with another Dalmas field goal.

It was all Boise State after the second quarter as they outscored Fresno State 24 to 7 in the second half. 

Four of Boise State’s last six drives resulted in scores. These scores included a 10-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Hank Bachmeier to senior receiver Khalil Shakir, a 27-yard field goal by Dalmas, a one-yard touchdown run by Van Buren and a seven-yard touchdown run by redshirt sophomore Tyler Crowe.

The defense played a huge part in the win as they compiled three interceptions and only allowed 77 rushing yards and 356 total yards.  

The interceptions came from junior safety JL Skinner and both of the Kaniho brothers, Kekaula Kaniho and redshirt freshman corner Kaonohi Kaniho.

The Bronco offense was able to capitalize on their defense’s success by scoring 24 points off of interceptions and turnovers on downs. They managed to gain 470 total yards in the game, 117 of which were rushing yards from redshirt sophomore running back George Holani.

“It was a great game all around for both the offense and defense,” Holani said. “We were much improved compared to previous weeks. We came out with the mentality of finishing through all four quarters.”

Boise State returns to The Blue next week to take on Wyoming on Friday, Nov. 12.