Despite this season seeming hopeless, the Broncos needed a spark to at least finish the season strong.
Maddux, “Maddogg”, Madsen was indeed that spark.
In his first official start as a Bronco, the redshirt freshman threw 6-11, 202 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.
“I think everybody was trying our best not to get penalties to be out there celebrating with him on the field,” former head coach Andy Avalos said. “He’s a guy that has been through a fair amount and as always what we talk about it’s 10 percent what happens to you, 90 percent how you respond.”
Maddogg spread the love around too. Redshirt junior wide receiver Austin Bolt caught his first touchdown pass on the Broncos’ first drive after being out all season due to injury.
Madsen also connected with freshman Prince Strachan on a 74-yard bomb that went for a touchdown.
In short, Maddogg was slinging the ball against the University of New Mexico like David slung rocks against Goliath.
There’s a lot to be excited about the change at quarterback, but if only the same could be said about the defense.
In what had generally been a week to week improvement for the squad, the Bronco defense played down to the Lobos level for much of the first half.
While they did allow big plays and struggled to get off the field on third downs, they didn’t allow many points.
In fact, they shut the Lobos out in the second half and won the turnover battle convincingly.
Up 29-14, just when you thought the ship was steady, Madsen went down with what looked like a very serious injury on the last offensive play of the first half.
In heartbreaking fashion, Maddogg was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The Broncos kicked a field goal with a couple seconds to go, heading into halftime up 32-14.
Due to Madsen’s injury, redshirt sophomore Taylen Green came in at quarterback to start the second half as the team’s only option at the position.
Green led the offense for the remainder of the game, going 5-6, 63 yards passing and 27 yards rushing including a touchdown.
“Just picked up where he started… like he did for me,” said redshirt quarterback Taylen Green. “It’s a team sport you know. I know he has my back and I know I have his back.”
Green wasn’t perfect, but he didn’t have to be for his team to win.
The Broncos offense played keepaway, running the ball 23 times to close out the game.
Understandably, the Broncos didn’t have to do much else. Playing keepaway when you’re up double digits is usually the right move to secure the win. With a great second half performance by the defense, Boise State coasted to 5-5 and 4-2 in the Mountain West Conference.
With that in mind, it’s hard to say what happens from here. The Utah State game next week will be very telling in terms of how the coaches decide to gameplan, depending on if Madsen is available.
The Broncos future will also rely on interim head coach Spencer Danielson, as Avalos was fired the morning after the victory over New Mexico.
Because Air Force and Fresno State both lost their recent games, Boise State is still mathematically eligible for the Mountain West Championship game if they win against Utah State on Veteran’s Day.
“Some crazy things have to happen, which some things are going on tonight,” redshirt senior Alexander Teubner said. “Right now we’re going to play for each other and we’re going to play for the love of the game.”
If Madsen is unavailable, then we’ll get to see Green lead the team through a full game for the first time since week four against San Diego State.
As it stands now, Avalos has had as rough a go of it as any Bronco head coach. Navigating two quarterback controversies, deciding to start Madsen just for him to go down right before halftime, dealing with NIL… the Colorado State game. It’s been rough.
With his absence, the team looks to a young coordinator turned head coach in Danielson.
With what could be a poetic end to an otherwise forgettable season, the Broncos move to 5-5 and 4-2 in the MWC, still in the hunt for a conference championship.
