The Broncos capitalized on a dominant second-half performance to wallop the UNLV Rebels 56-31 Saturday afternoon on The Blue.
The Boise State rushing attack continued to be a strong point, with sophomore Dylan Riley rushing for 201 yards on 15 carries for one touchdown. Fellow back Sire Gaines picked up two touchdowns of his own, marking his second consecutive multi-touchdown game.
The Broncos used the halftime intermission to their advantage, mentally and physically resetting and exploding in the second half to pull away from the Rebels.
Following the game, Dylan Riley attributed his 200-yard performance, along with his other four 100-yard performances this season, to his consistency and discipline.
“It’s really just about being consistent and making sure I keep my mental straight and my body straight,” Riley said. “I can’t afford to take any weeks off.”
The aerial attack was rolling for the Broncos, too.
Quarterback Maddux Madsen completed 14 of his 23 passes for 253 yards, and his four touchdown passes matched his career-high. The Utah native finished the game with 6,075 career passing yards, becoming the eighth player in program history to throw for 6,000 yards. Maddog shared the wealth, connecting with ten different receivers throughout the game.
Senior Chris Marshall led the receiving corps, catching three passes for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Boise State’s defense put points on the board, as well. Cornerback A’Marion McCoy returned an interception 60 yards for his second pick-six of the season. McCoy became the first Bronco since Donte Deayon in 2014 to run back two interceptions for touchdowns.
Saturday’s game was the third time this season the Broncos’ defense made seven or more tackles for loss. The defense has had at least five in every game this season. Jaden Mickey matched his career-high with seven tackles, leading the team in the box score alongside safety Ty Benefield. Senior linebacker Marco Notarainni recorded his first career sack on the first play of the game from scrimmage
A’Marion McCoy spoke on the team’s growth since their week one loss to South Florida.
“It’s great to see it all come together,” McCoy said. “Being able to grow week in and week out is something we love to see and something we’re building off of. As long as we stack days and keep growing, we’re going to be the team we want to be.”
The scoring for the Broncos was jump-started by a 2-yard Sire Gaines rushing touchdown on Boise State’s first offensive possession. The Rebels responded swiftly with a field goal, but a Cameron Bates rushing touchdown grew the Bronco lead to 14-3 entering the second quarter.
UNLV running back Jai’Den Thomas scored the first Rebel touchdown, kicking down the Broncos’ door from the one-yard line. Shortly after, an explosive 65-yard rush from Dylan Riley put the Broncos in a perfect position for a 7-yard touchdown reception from Latrell Caples. Another Rebel score, this one a 35-yard receiving touchdown from Jaden Bradley, made it a one-possession game.
Riley showed evidence of his high school track and field days when he burst for a 49-yard touchdown run to put the Broncos up 28-17. Another UNLV touchdown cut their deficit to just four points entering halftime.
Touchdown passes to Sire Gaines and Chris Marshall gave the Broncos a 42-24 lead, with A’Marion McCoy’s pick-six and another touchdown catch from Malik Sherrrod serving as the nails in the Rebels’ coffin.
Boise State’s statement win over the UNLV Rebels, who received votes in last week’s AP Poll, marked the Broncos’ 16th consecutive home victory. They are tied with Alabama for the longest active home winning streak in the entire country.
“You protect what matters most,” head coach Spencer Danielson said when asked what allows the team to be so successful at Albertsons Stadium. “It matters to us playing at home. It matters playing in front of Bronco Nation. It matters that we protect this place.”
Danielson, a former player himself at Azusa Pacific, is in his second full season as the Broncos’ head coach. In 2023, after winning the three regular-season games he coached as the interim after the firing of Andy Avalos, Danielson was named the 12th head coach in program history. Saturday afternoon’s win made Danielson the fifth of those coaches to win at least 20 of his first 25 games as head coach.
The Broncos’ steamrolling of the Rebels was their 10th straight defeat of UNLV. They move to a 12-3 record against the conference foe, with last year’s Mountain West Championship being the most notable victory. Additionally, Boise State’s 56 points were the most they’ve scored this year, and they’ve now scored at least 40 points in every game of the season.
After a dominant win over their most dangerous conference opponent, the Broncos seek to shred through the remainder of their schedule and bring another conference championship trophy to The Blue.
Boise State will travel to Mackay Stadium to take on the Nevada Wolfpack on Oct. 24.
