Broncos Win Home Opener Against Miami

Saturday, September 15

Boise, Idaho

2:00 PM

Boise State

1-1

Miami (Ohio)

1-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Miami

Boise State

9/16/2012 12:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

Media Center

Chris Petersen Interview Video	D.J. Harper Interview Video (w/Highlights)
Joe Southwick Interview Video	Jamar Taylor Interview Video
Bronco Stadium Time Lapse Video	Pregame "Tunnel Vision" Video

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - D.J. Harper rushed for a career-high 162 yards and three touchdowns to lead Boise State past Miami (Ohio) 39-12, Saturday.

Harper, a sixth-year senior who was granted a medical redshirt and an extra year of eligibility, also caught a 21-yard pass from Joe Southwick and ran for a 2-point conversion.

The 26 points scored by Harper are the third-most all-time by a Bronco in a single game, and his four touchdowns are the most since Doug Martin ran for four scores against New Mexico State in 2009.

Joe Southwick threw for 304 yards, the first 300-yard passing game of his career. He completed 16 of his final 17 passes en route to a 24-for-31 day, including a pair of touchdowns and an interception.

Boise State (1-1) won its 11th-straight home opener, overcoming a pair of first-half turnovers before pulling away for good in the second half.

Miami (1-2) took a 9-8 lead in the second quarter after Pat Hinkel's fumble at the Boise State 9 set up a 2-yard touchdown pass from Spencer Treadwell to Andy Cruse.

Boise State responded with seven-play, 75-yard drive, culminating with a 1-yard scoring run by Harper to retake the lead.

The Broncos were playing as an unranked team for the first time since Sept. 20, 2008, and took the field with a losing record for the first time since Oct. 1, 2005, a span of 2,541 days.

The Broncos, playing on 15 days rest for the first time since 2004, will now play on five days rest for the first time since 2005. Boise State hosts BYU Thursday (Sept. 20) at Bronco Stadium. Kickoff against the Cougars is scheduled for 7 p.m.