Boise State
6-5 , 5-2
Utah State
5-6 , 3-4
Run Game Dominates, Defense Stifles as Broncos Best Aggies
11/18/2023 10:19:00 PM | Football
Boise State ties FBS-era record with nine sacks
LOGAN, Utah – A relentless rushing attack and ferocious pass rush helped Boise State extend its streak of bowl-eligible seasons to 26, as the Broncos defeated Utah State, 45-10. Boise State (6-5, 5-2 MW) scored 45 unanswered points, including 31 in the second quarter, to earn a crucial conference win over the Aggies (5-6, 3-4 MW).
The win - the first under interim head coach Spencer Danielson - made Boise State bowl eligible for the 26th consecutive year.
George Holani ran for 178 yards and two scores while Ashton Jeanty churned out 85 yards to surpass the 1,000-yard plateau. In all, the Broncos recorded a season-high 352 rushing yards and tied an FBS-era program record with nine sacks, the most since 1996.
Boise State forced a season-high four turnovers in the game as Braxton Fely forced two fumbles while A'marion McCoy and Rodney Robinson each recorded their first interception of the season.
Alexander Teubner led the defense with eight total tackles and Ty Benefield added seven more, along with two QB hurries. Benefield joined DJ Schramm and Ahmed Hassanein with a team-leading 2.5 tackles for a loss.
Utah State held a 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter marking the first time the Aggies had led a game after the first frame this season. The rain falling and Boise State's defense dampened the mood of the 17,821 in attendance as the Aggies would not score again.
The first quarter saw limited offense, but Utah State got on the board with a 57-yard touchdown pass from Cooper Legas to Jaylen Royals. On the opening play of the second quarter, Elliot Nimrod tacked on a field goal for the Aggies.
The rest of the quarter belonged to the Broncos. George Holani ran untouched for a 75-yard touchdown, then Braxton Fely forced a fumble on Utah State's first play, which was recovered by Rodney Robinson. On the next snap, Taylen Green found a wide-open Matt Lauter for the go-ahead touchdown.
Utah State drove the length of the field and faced fourth-and-goal, but A'Marion McCoy stepped in front of a wide receiver pass to thwart the trick play. The two-headed monster of Holani and Jeanty covered 79 yards on four rushes, with Holani juking multiple defenders on a 33-yard touchdown.
The next two possessions were more of the same. Fely forced another fumble, with Herbert Gums recovering it. Green connected with Lauter for another touchdown pass, this time for two yards. Jonah Dalmas' put the finishing touches on the outburst with a 44-yard field goal as time expired.
Jeanty jumped back in the scoring column in the third quarter, running for a five-yard touchdown. Robinson added an interception, his first of the season and Boise State's fourth takeaway of the night. Jambres Dubar scampered for a 10-yard score in the fourth quarter for the final Bronco touchdown.
Top Broncos
- George Holani rushed 15 times for 178 yards and two touchdowns and caught one pass for nine yards.
- Ashton Jeanty rushed 12 times for 85 yards and one touchdown while adding two catches for 23 yards.
- Braxton Fely had two forced fumbles, one sack and one TFL.
- Ty Benefield finished with two sacks, 2.5 TFLs and one pass breakup.
- Boise State is bowl-eligible for the 26th-straight season, extending the nation's second-longest active streak.
- Boise State ran for 208 yards in the second quarter tonight. That is the first time the Broncos have eclipsed 200+ rushing yards in a single quarter since running for 205 in the fourth quarter at San Jose State on Nov. 27, 2015, in a 40-23 Broncos win.
- George Holani passed Jeremy McNichols for seventh all-time in career rushing yards at Boise State during his 75-yard long touchdown run, which was the longest run of his career.
- Matt Lauter's touchdown catch in the second quarter marked his first-career touchdown reception.
- The 9.0 sacks by Boise State marks the most sacks the Broncos have recorded in a game since registering 8.0 sacks against Arizona in a 38-30 win in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31, 2014.
- Ahmed Hassanein recorded a sack in his seventh consecutive game when he sacked the Utah State QB in the second quarter.
- Rodney Robinson recorded his first career fumble recovery as he recovered the fumble forced by Fely.
What's Next
The Broncos close the regular season on The Blue, hosting Air Force on Friday, Nov. 24. The MW battle will kick off at 2 p.m. and air on FS1.
For complete coverage of Boise State Football, download the Bronco Sports App or follow the team on social media on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter/X.
--BroncoSports.com--
Team Stats
BSU 0, USU 7
USU - Royals,Jalen 57 yd pass from Legas,Cooper (Nimrod,Elliott kick) 1 plays, 57 yards, TOP 00:11
BSU 0, USU 10
USU - Nimrod,Elliott 34 yd field goal 9 plays, 63 yards, TOP 03:35
BSU 7, USU 10
BSU - Holani,George 75 yd run (Dalmas,Jonah kick), 1 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:12
BSU 14, USU 10
BSU - Lauter,Matt 26 yd pass from Green,Taylen (Dalmas,Jonah kick) 1 plays, 26 yards, TOP 00:07
BSU 21, USU 10
BSU - Holani,George 33 yd run (Dalmas,Jonah kick), 4 plays, 79 yards, TOP 01:33
BSU 28, USU 10
BSU - Lauter,Matt 2 yd pass from Green,Taylen (Dalmas,Jonah kick) 4 plays, 25 yards, TOP 01:56
BSU 31, USU 10
BSU - Dalmas,Jonah 44 yd field goal 12 plays, 39 yards, TOP 02:29
BSU 38, USU 10
BSU - Jeanty,Ashton 5 yd run (Dalmas,Jonah kick), 7 plays, 71 yards, TOP 03:25
BSU 45, USU 10
BSU - Dubar,Jambres 10 yd run (Dalmas,Jonah kick), 8 plays, 48 yards, TOP 04:35
