Broncos Reach the Peak, Win Fifth MW Championship

Saturday, December 2

Las Vegas, Nev.

1 p.m.

Boise State

8-5 , 6-2

UNLV

9-4 , 6-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Boise State

UNLV

Bronco Football MW Championship Celebration

12/2/2023 6:34:00 PM | Football

Box Score Gamebook Postgame Notes Photo Gallery

Green named Offensive MVP, Teubner earns Defensive MVP

LAS VEGAS – Overcoming all odds, Boise State capped off an improbable season by winning a record fifth Mountain West Championship with a 44-20 trouncing of UNLV at Allegiant Stadium Saturday afternoon.

A MW Championship record crowd of 31,473 witnessed history from start to finish with the Broncos running for more yards (301) than UNLV registered in total (298), winning a league-best fourth championship game and fifth overall title. Spencer Danielson became the first interim head coach in FBS history to win a conference championship game.

Taylen Green, the Offensive MVP, threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns while running for 90 yards and another score. Ashton Jeanty, the league's Offensive Player of the Year, paced a dominant ground game with 153 yards and one touchdown.

That's not to say Boise State's passing game was absent. Billy Bowens (91) and Austin Bolt (72) attained career-high receiving yardages. Green rarely erred with an 80% completion rate, but did throw one interception. The Broncos still came out on top turnover margin, forcing three takeaways.

One of those takeaways was a fumble recovered by Alexander Teubner, who was voted the game's Defensive MVP. He finished the game with 10 total tackles. That fumble recovery was courtesy of a forced fumble by Ahmed Hassanein, an All-MW First Team selection.

Despite a broken hand forcing him to wield a club, Andrew Simpson recorded his second interception of the season. A'Marion McCoy also had an interception, his team-high third of the season.

Boise State, making a league-high seventh championship appearance, won its first title since 2019, while UNLV (9-4) was making its first MW Championship appearance.

The Broncos (8-5) secured their 26th-straight winning season, extending the longest active streak in the nation. The Bronco senior class of 2023 extended the nation's longest streak by being the 25th consecutive class to win a conference championship.

The game began with three-straight rushing touchdowns. Green dove into the pylon for an 8-yard score, then Vincent Davis countered with a 5-yard score. Jeanty took a direct snap for a 5-yard touchdown of his own, but UNLV tied the game with a pick-six in the second quarter.

On the ensuing drive, Boise State dialed up a trick play, something the Broncos have been known to produce in championship games. A handoff to George Holani was tossed back to Green for a flea flicker, then Green delivered a strike to Bolt for a 57-yard touchdown.

Two Bronco takeaways led to two Bronco scores, as Teubner's fumble recovery and McCoy's interception were capped by a 70-yard touchdown run from Green and a 31-yard field goal by Jonah Dalmas.

The Rebels had the final score of the first half, courtesy of Jose Pizano's 51-yard field goal. Pizano also had the opening score of the second half, converting on a 46-yard field goal. Dalmas added his second field goal of the game, splitting the uprights from 50 yards out. Green threw his second touchdown of the game at the end of the third quarter, connecting with Matt Lauter for a 16-yard score.

The Bronco defense held strong in the fourth quarter, limiting the Rebels to 42 yards. Simpson had an interception and Dalmas kicked a 22-yard field goal to clinch Boise State's 36th conference championship, including 21 as a four-year school.

What's Next
The Broncos await their bowl fate, which will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 3. 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--