Boise State
1-1 , 1-0
Colorado State
1-1 , 0-1
Big Games by Ajayi, Hedrick Lead to Win
9/7/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
BOISE, Idaho (AP) - After an anemic offensive showing in its season opener, Boise State proved its offense is plenty potent Saturday night as the Broncos exploded for 676 yards in a 37-24 victory over Colorado State in the Mountain West Conference opener for both teams.
Jay Ajayi provided most of the spark for the Broncos, finishing with 219 yards rushing, 61 yards receiving and three touchdowns. The team's 676 yards was the fifth most in school history.
Grant Hedrick was 22-of-33 passing for 352 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also ran for 80 yards and a touchdown.
Boise State coach Bryan Harsin notched his first victory with his alma mater to move to 1-1 and avoid the Broncos' first 0-2 start since 2005.
Colorado State (1-1), which saw Dee Hart and Treyous Jarrells both gain over 100 yards each in its season-opening win over in-state rivals Colorado, gained 28 yards rushing on 23 carries.
Instead, the Rams were forced to rely on Garrett Grayson, who was 31-of-58 passing for 434 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Joe Hansley led the team in receiving with seven catches for 149 yards and a touchdown, while Rashard Higgins had 11 receptions for 143 yards.
Colorado State, which has dropped all four meetings with Boise State since the Broncos joined the Mountain West Conference in 2011, moved the ball effectively in the game's opening possession before stalling at the Boise State 20 and settling for a 39-yard field goal by Jared Roberts.
That was the only lead the Rams would hold.
Hedrick responded with his first opening touchdown drive in his career, leading Boise State 75 yards in nine plays, which ended on an 8-yard touchdown run by Ajayi. Colorado State blocked the extra point, leaving the Broncos with a 6-3 lead.
On the Broncos' next possession, Hedrick rushed for 30 yards on three carries in moving Boise State 70 yards on 12 plays. His 1-yard sneak capped the drive and gave the Broncos a 13-3 lead. Colorado State would never get any closer than that.
Trailing 37-10 in the fourth quarter, Colorado State attempted to get back in the game with a pair of late touchdowns and a goal line stand. Boise State sealed the victory, however, when Jeremy Ioane intercepted an errant Grayson pass with 1:28 remaining.
Matt Miller caught eight passes for 151 yards and a touchdown and overtook Austin Pettis for the most career receptions at Boise State.
Team Stats
CS 3, BSU 0
CS - ROBERTS, Jared 39 yd field goal 8 plays, 51 yards, TOP 3:05
CS 3, BSU 6
BSU - AJAYI, Jay 8 yd run (GOODALE, Dan kickblocked), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:43
CS 3, BSU 13
BSU - HEDRICK, Grant 1 yd run (GOODALE, Dan kick), 12 plays, 70 yards, TOP 4:16
CS 10, BSU 13
CS - WALKER, Steven 24 yd pass from GRAYSON, Garret (ROBERTS, Jared kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 1:53
CS 10, BSU 20
BSU - AJAYI, Jay 14 yd run (GOODALE, Dan kick), 11 plays, 90 yards, TOP 3:45
CS 10, BSU 27
BSU - AJAYI, Jay 21 yd pass from HEDRICK, Grant (GOODALE, Dan kick) 4 plays, 68 yards, TOP 1:00
CS 10, BSU 30
BSU - GOODALE, Dan 23 yd field goal 8 plays, 44 yards, TOP 1:01
CS 10, BSU 37
BSU - MILLER, Matt 44 yd pass from HEDRICK, Grant (GOODALE, Dan kick) 7 plays, 94 yards, TOP 2:50
CS 17, BSU 37
CS - HANSLEY, Joe 55 yd pass from GRAYSON, Garret (ROBERTS, Jared kick) 5 plays, 80 yards, TOP 2:04
CS 24, BSU 37
CS - ODEN JR, Jasen 7 yd pass from GRAYSON, Garret (ROBERTS, Jared kick) 9 plays, 72 yards, TOP 3:11
