The Boise State Broncos snapped a two-game losing streak with a dominant win against Colorado State on senior night. Entering the matchup, the Broncos sought to avoid their first three-game losing streak since 1997, following back-to-back losses to Fresno State and San Diego State.
The win was crucial for Boise State as they look to return to the Mountain West Championship. Senior safety Zion Washington spoke on the much-needed win after the game.
“Going back-to-back weeks without a win —it’s something that hasn’t happened to us in a very long time,” Washington said. “It’s huge to be able to come out here and do it for each other. That’s what we’ve been preaching all week. We just wanted to have fun, and tonight was a very fun night on The Blue.”
On their first series, the Broncos shaved over six minutes off the clock with an impressive drive that was capped off by a three-yard Sire Gaines touchdown run. The Rams also scored a touchdown on their first drive with the help of two personal fouls committed by Boise State’s defense.
After the Rams’ first drive, the Broncos’ defense tightened up, not allowing a drive to reach the red zone until the game was already put away in the fourth quarter.
Boise State’s offense was firing on all cylinders, scoring on eight of its 14 drives. Their biggest drive was 98 yards, the program’s longest drive since 2016. Quarterback Max Cutforth had a career night, completing 22 of 34 passes for 239 yards. At halftime, the Broncos entered the locker room up 27-7 and with 360 total yards, a season high in the first half of a game.
While Cutforth led an impressive passing game, the running game was the offense’s driving force. Sire Gaines led the backfield with a career high 149 rushing yards and two trips to the house on 22 carries, his second game this year with multiple touchdown runs.
Despite the game ending in a Bronco victory, there were a few key areas of improvement. Multiple 3rd down drops by wide receivers Latrell Caples and Cameron Bates forced the Broncos to punt the ball back to Colorado State. The Broncos also committed several defensive penalties in key moments, preventing the offense from regaining the field position.
Seniors on both sides of the ball stood out and made an impact in their last home game. Offensively, wide receiver Latrell Caples was Cutforth’s top target, hauling in seven of ten targets for 70 yards before exiting the game with an injury. Running back Malik Sherrod scored two touchdowns on seven carries for 56 yards.
Head Coach Spencer Danielson discussed Caples’ involvement, stating during the week, they reviewed how to get the ball to their top playmakers more, whether it be through the screen game or deep throws.
Defensively, cornerback Jeremiah Earby picked off Colorado State quarterback Darius Curry twice in addition to recovering a fumble. The win marks Earby’s second two-interception game of the season. Safety Zion Washington led the Broncos with nine tackles, a sack and recorded his first career interception.
Boise State looks to finish the season strong with a win over Utah State on Nov. 28. With a third consecutive trip to the Mountain West Championship on the line, the Broncos will need to power through an undefeated-at-home Aggie team to have a shot at the final Mountain West title.
