The Broncos had a happy flight home from Reno after winning a gritty defensive battle in Mackay Stadium against the Nevada Wolfpack 24-3 Friday night.
Defensive coordinator Erik Chinander’s game plan was evidently effective, with Boise State’s defense forcing five turnovers. Cornerback Jeremiah Earby notched two interceptions, with his counterpart A’Marion McCoy recording a pick of his own, with McCoy now joining UNLV Rebel Aamaris Brown as the only FBS players with at least four interceptions and two interceptions returned for touchdowns this season. Boen Phelps and Mana Tuioti both recovered fumbles in the victory, with Tuioti’s coming on a muffed punt.
The defense held Nevada to just 247 yards of total offense and a mere 4-of-12 on third down conversions. Head Coach Spencer Danielson praised the defense’s determination after the game.
“Our defense played really well tonight,” Danielson said. “I’m proud of them being relentless, proud of them fighting to take the ball away. They find a way.”
The Bronco offense was quiet in the air, with all of their touchdowns coming on the ground. Quarterback Maddux Madsen and running backs Sire Gaines and Dylan Riley all found the end zone. The team finished with 134 rushing yards and 174 passing yards.
Despite not lighting up the scoreboard with his arm, Madsen’s completions were spread out among a wide range of receivers, a trend that has continued all year for the redshirt junior. Five different players recorded multiple receptions, with sophomore Cameron Bates recording a 37-yard reception in the second quarter, the longest of his career.
The Wolfpack drew first blood in the opening frame with a 40-yard field goal to put them up 3-0. Boise State’s Colton Boomer evened the score with a field goal of his own at the start of the second quarter. The first half saw two of the Broncos’ three interceptions.
With one minute and 35 seconds remaining in the first half, Sire Gaines punched in a touchdown from one yard out to cap off the longest Boise State drive of the season at 13 plays and 94 yards. A 10-3 ball game for the majority of the third quarter, linebacker Mana Tuioti created a spark for the Broncos when he jumped on a muff punt at Nevada’s 6-yard line. This set up a 1-yard touchdown rush for Maddux Madsen to make it a 17-3 game. Dylan Riley eventually sealed the game with a 1-yard rushing score to cap off an 8-minute drive and solidify the 24-3 victory.
After the game, sophomore tailback Sire Gaines spoke on what it meant to come out on top despite the offense not playing their sharpest game.
“A win is a win,” Gaines said. “When things get hard and get tight, we just come together and lean on each other. We haven’t played our best football on the road, but at the end of the day we’re winning, so that’s all that matters.”
With Friday’s win, Boise State became bowl eligible for the 28th consecutive season, the second-longest active streak in the nation. The victory also marks the Broncos’ 16th consecutive conference win, extending the longest winning streak in Mountain West history. They’ve now won 31 of their last 34 conference games.
Jeremiah Earby, who was one of the bigger difference makers in the win, spoke on what it means to the team to be bowl eligible once again. Despite their pleasure in returning to a bowl game, the team’s goals are much bigger.
With a trip to the College Football Playoff as the Group of Five representative on the line, the players know to take the season one week at a time and to never be content.
“It feels amazing,” Earby said. “Getting the dub was just like any other, so it feels good, but you got to flip the switch when you have another game next week.”
With losses to South Florida and Notre Dame, Boise State’s current playoff hopes aren’t exactly what they were at this time a year ago. According to a recent ESPN Football Power Index (FPI) ranking, the Broncos have a 4.9% chance of making the playoffs. However, Boise State receiving votes in the most recent AP Poll is very telling of the team’s ability.
The Broncos look to continue their home and conference winning streaks next Saturday against Fresno State at home. As the team returns to The Blue for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff, they will gear up for the remainder of their schedule in hopes of winning out and returning to both the Mountain West Championship and College Football Playoff.
