Boise State
9-1 , 6-0
New Mexico
2-8 , 0-6
Henderson Guides Broncos to Senior Night Win
11/17/2019 12:47:00 AM | Football
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Jaylon Henderson threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns, Sonatane Lui had two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown, and No. 19 Boise State defeated New Mexico 42-9 on Saturday night at Albertsons Stadium.
Boise State (9-1, 6-0), which maintained its one-game lead atop the Mountain Division, raced out to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter and was never seriously challenged. It was the first time the Broncos scored that many points in the first quarter since also scoring 28 against Idaho on Nov. 12, 2010.
On the first play from scrimmage, Lui collected a fumble and returned it 24 yards for a Boise State touchdown.
"For us, it was a great tone-setter," Lui said. "We had practiced all week on having that exact same formation where someone takes out the quarterback right away ... so, it was great to not only have a stop but get a score off of it. And then having one of the fat guys score really picked up the energy for everybody."
Henderson, making his first start as a Bronco, finished the game 15-of-28 for 292 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception. He led scoring drives on each of Boise State's three first-quarter drives, including going 97 yards on his first series.
That drive was capped by a 17-yard rushing score from wide receiver Octavius Evans, becoming the ninth different Bronco to score on the ground this season.
Henderson threw touchdowns to Khalil Shakir and John Hightower in the first quarter. HIs final touchdown strike was to Andrew Van Buren, who became the 10th different Bronco to score through the air this season.
Boise State's final score came on the last play of the third quarter. After Henderson found Shakir for 50 yards to get down to the two-yard line, Shakir lined up at quarterback and delivered a shovel pass to Garrett Collingham for a touchdown.
The Lobos, who had been competitive in all their league games, avoided getting shut out for the first time this season when Andrew Shelley kicked a 40-yard field goal late in the third quarter. New Mexico added a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
"All the work that goes into it and the emotional spirit you have and you go and put that ball on the ground on the first play of the game and they score, you can't — with all the things this football team has been through — you can't have that kind of start," New Mexico coach Bob Davie said. "It was a tough night, tough night."
THE TAKEAWAY
New Mexico: While the Lobos have relied heavily on their rushing attack, quarterback Tekava Tuioti has elevated New Mexico's passing game this season. Coming into Saturday night's game, he had already thrown for more than 200 yards three times and finished with 175 yards against the Broncos.
Boise State: The Broncos navigated the weaker portion of their conference schedule over the past few weeks without stumbling. However, they need starting quarterback Hank Bachmeier ahead of the team's final two games on the road against Utah State and Colorado State. He missed one game after suffering a hip pointer against Hawaii and has missed two since injuring his shoulder against San Jose State. His status for next week is unknown.
Team Stats
NM 0, BSU 7
BSU - LUI, Sonatane 24 yd fumble recovery (SACHSE, Eric kick)
NM 0, BSU 14
BSU - EVANS, Octavius 17 yd run (SACHSE, Eric kick), 8 plays, 97 yards, TOP 3:42
NM 0, BSU 21
BSU - SHAKIR, Khalil 18 yd pass from HENDERSON, J. (SACHSE, Eric kick) 5 plays, 82 yards, TOP 2:15
NM 0, BSU 28
BSU - HIGHTOWER, John 51 yd pass from HENDERSON, J. (SACHSE, Eric kick) 2 plays, 51 yards, TOP 0:16
NM 3, BSU 28
NM - SHELLEY, Andrew 40 yd field goal 13 plays, 55 yards, TOP 5:21
NM 3, BSU 35
BSU - VAN BUREN, A. 8 yd pass from HENDERSON, J. (SACHSE, Eric kick) 13 plays, 74 yards, TOP 6:08
NM 3, BSU 42
BSU - COLLINGHAM, G. 2 yd pass from SHAKIR, Khalil (SACHSE, Eric kick) 2 plays, 52 yards, TOP 0:40
NM 9, BSU 42
NM - GRAY, Micah 1 yd run (SHELLEY, Andrew kickfailed), 11 plays, 67 yards, TOP 5:20
