The top two Mountain West Conference teams, the Boise State University Broncos and the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) Rebels, faced off in Las Vegas in this weekend’s matchup. Both teams hope to keep their playoff hopes alive this early in the season. This week nine matchup felt like their own playoff game, with a loss to either team likely ending the teams playoff hopes.
The first few drives of the game were action packed, with multiple large yardage plays from both teams, including a 71 yard run on a triple option run from UNLV starting quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams. The Rebels began the game with a quick 10-3 lead, seemingly beating the Broncos in every facet at the beginning of the game.
A missed 52 yard field goal by the Rebels after a big third down sack, created momentum for the Broncos, as they went on to score 17 straight to go into the half. Thanks to two touchdowns by Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen (one rushing and one passing) along with an Andrew Simpson interception in between, the Broncos turned the football game around and went into the locker room with much needed momentum.
Going into the game, the storyline was how Boise State star running back Ashton Jeanty would match up against the top running defense in the Mountain West. In the first half, despite the lead, Jeanty rushed for a season low 54 yards, due to the Rebel’s tenacious defense.
However, this did not stop Jeanty.
Although the second half stats were not kind to Jeanty, the Heisman hopeful showed why he is getting his recognition. His short yardage gains were because of multiple broken tackles from a good run defense.
Those 6 yard runs, 8 yard runs and 5 yard runs were adding up for Jeanty, showing the 41,000 fans in attendance how he has the X-factor.
Despite Jeanty’s influx in touches, the Rebels did not back down. After good field position off of a Boise State punt, UNLV was given the opportunity to take the lead late in the third. After a few plays, Hajj-Malik Williams launched a 34 yard touchdown into the back corner of the endzone to wide receiver Jaden Bradley to give the Rebels the lead.
The fourth quarter began with the Broncos trailing, with rising tensions. Boise State drove 75 yards down the field with a mix of a few runs from Jeanty and two big yardage throws from Madsen, to give the Broncos the ball at the goal line, where Jeanty put the drive away in typical Jeanty fashion.
Boise State led 29-24 with 12:38 left in the fourth, in which the Rebels were unable to put the ball back in the endzone. The Broncos ended the game with a 8:07 long drive to milk the clock all the way to the end of regulation. This drive kept the Broncos playoff hopes alive and likely halting the Rebels playoff hopes.
These two squads still can see each other in the Mountain West Championship, but as of now, the Broncosleft Las Vegas at the top of the Mountain West Standings.
BSU stat leaders:
Maddux Madsen: 209 passing yards, 58 rushing yards and two total touchdowns
Ashton Jeanty: 33 carries, 128 yards and one touchdown
Matt Lauter: four catches, 38 yards and one touchdown
UNLV stat leaders:
Hajj- Malik Williams: 179 pass yards, 105 rushing yards and three total touchdowns
Jai’den Thomas: seven carries and 47 rushing yards
Jaden Bradley: two catches, 37 yards and one touchdown