Friday, December 6
Boise, Idaho
6 p.m.
Boise State
vs
UNLV
No. 10/10/10 Boise State Aims for First MW Back-to-Back Titles
12/2/2024 8:00:00 PM | Football
| #10/10/10 BOISE STATE (11-1, 7-0 MW) vs. #20/19/19 UNLV (10-2, 6-1 MW) | |
| Date | Time | Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 | 6 p.m. MT |
| Location | Stadium | Boise, Idaho | Lyle Smith Field at Albertsons Stadium (36,363) |
| Game Day Information | 2024 Old Trapper Mountain West Football Championship | WEAR BLUE |
| Television | FOX | Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst), Allison Williams (sideline) |
| Radio Network | Bronco Radio Network | Bob Behler (play-by-play), Pete Cavender (analyst) | Affiliate List | Listen Live Sirius XM | Ch. 83 |
| Live Stats | BroncoSports.com |
| Game Notes | Boise State | UNLV | Mountain West |
| Social Media | X: BroncoSportsFB | #BleedBlue | #BuiltDifferent | #HEI2MAN | IG: @boisestatefootball | Facebook |
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BOISE, Idaho – In a game between the top-two preseason favorites in the Mountain West, No. 11/10/10 Boise State will go for its second straight Mountain West title when it hosts No. 22/19/19 UNLV in the 2024 Old Trapper Mountain West Football Championship at Albertsons Stadium on Friday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. MT on FOX.
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The conference championship, with a spot in the College Football Playoff on the line, will air nationally as Jason Benetti (play-by-play) and Brock Huard (analyst) call the action on FOX while Bob Behler (play-by-play) and Pete Cavender (analyst) will have the call on the Bronco Radio Network and on SiriusXM Ch. 84.
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OPENING KICKOFF
- For the third straight year and seventh time in the last eight years, Boise State will play in the Mountain West Football Championship as the No. 11/10/10 Broncos host No. 22/19/19 UNLV for the 2024 edition, presented by Old Trapper, at Albertsons Stadium on Friday at 6 p.m. MT. The game can be watched on FOX and heard on the Bronco Radio Network.
- With the voting officially open for the 928 Heisman Trophy electors, No. 2 Ashton Jeanty continues his #HEI2MAN campaign this week as he leads the nation in several categories. The junior is pacing the country in rushing yards (2,288), rushing touchdowns (28), total touchdowns (29) and all-purpose yards (2,390). Find out more about Ashton Jeanty's record-setting season at HEI2MAN.com.
- Boise State is hosting the Mountain West Football Championship for the first time since 2022 and sixth time overall. The Broncos hosted it in 2014 and in three straight years from 2017-2019. Boise State is 3-2 all-time when hosting the Mountain West Football Championship. This year, Boise State has already set its total season attendance record, thanks to six sellouts, and is averaging 37,190 people at one of the toughest environments in college football - as evidenced by the Broncos' .898 winning percentage on The Blue since 2000 (141-16).
- The Broncos enter the Championship with a 10-game overall winning streak and an 11-game home winning streak. The 10-game winning streak is the second-longest active streak in FBS (Oregon, 13 games) while the 11-game home winning streak is the fifth-longest active streak.
- Boise State, which has never won back-to-back Mountain West titles, is looking to beat UNLV for the second time this season. The last time the Broncos beat an opponent twice in the same season was in 2019 against Hawai'i (W, 59-37 in regular season; W, 31-10 in championship).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
WHAT'S THE RUSH?
Boise State, which owns the sixth-best rushing offense in the country (253.5 ypg), has run for 200+ yards in nine games this season. It marks the third straight season in which the Broncos have at least seven 200-yard rushing games in a single season. This number leads the Mountain West and ties the most in a Boise State FBS season (2014).
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ESTABLISHING THE RUN GAME
The current average of 253.5 rushing yards per game is the highest average in the program's FBS era (since 1996), with the next-closest being 229.8 yards per game, achieved in 2004. The Broncos rank second in the FBS in yards per carry, averaging 6.36. This year, the Broncos have 13 individual 100-yard rushing performances, a single-season program record. The previous record of 11 was set in 2014. Per Stats Perform, Boise State has outrushed its opponent in 11 games, with Tennessee (12) being the only FBS team to do so more.
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GROUND GAME
Boise State's total of 3,042 rushing yards is the highest single-season number of the program's FBS era (since 1996), passing last year's total of 3,008. The Blue and Orange have 40 rushing touchdowns this season, the team's most in a regular season since the 2004 Broncos had 46.
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IN TOTALITY
While the Boise State offense has been churning in the run game, it also ranks among the best in total offense as the Broncos are fifth in the nation with 478.3 yards per game. Boise State has four games of 500+ total yards this season, which already equals its total from the last two seasons combined and are its most in a season since 2013 (4). The program's FBS record for most 500-yard games of total offense during a season is six set in 1996.
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OFFENSIVE ONSLAUGHT
Boise State ranks third nationally with 40.6 points per game, the most since 2011, when the Broncos averaged 44.2. Boise State finished the regular season with 487 points, the team's highest regular season total since 2011, when the Broncos finished with 519 points. The current total of 487 points surpasses the season total from each of the last eight seasons. In addition to being fifth in the country in total offense, Boise State is third in the country in yards per play (6.91) and fifth in total yards (5,739). The Broncos were one of 10 FBS teams to eclipse 5,500 total yards during the regular season.
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UNDER PRESSURE
Boise State's pass rushers have been incredibly effective in reaching the quarterback this season. According to Pro Football Focus Ultimate, the Broncos have 206 total pressures, which combines sacks, hits and hurries. This ranks them 16th in the FBS. There are 17 Broncos with multiple pressures and 23 Broncos with at least one. Ahmed Hassanein has a team-high 51, ranking seventh in the country. He also has 13 quarterback hits, ranking fourth in the nation.
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BRONCOS IN THE BACKFIELD
Boise State continues to wreak havoc in opponents' backfields, ranking second in the nation with 45 sacks. The 45 total sacks are the most since 2014, when the Broncos had 47 sacks. The 1996 and 2010 squads each had 49 sacks, the program record for the FBS era, which began in 1996. Leading the attack for the Broncos are Jayden Virgin-Morgan (9.0) and Ahmed Hassanein (8.5). They are one of two duos in the FBS with at least 8.5 sacks each, joined by Suntarine Perkins and Princely Umanmielen (10.5 each) from Ole Miss. The Broncos also have 93 tackles for loss, tied for sixth in the country.
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DOWN, NOT OUT
Boise State has not trailed much this season, but it faced a 14-0 deficit after the first 24+ minutes of the game at San Jose State. The Broncos came back, however, and secured their largest deficit overcome since Oct. 7, 2023 vs. San Jose State (trailed 27-7, won 35-27). On Nov. 23, Boise State trailed for over 21 minutes against Wyoming, but rallied from a 13-10 deficit in the fourth quarter to win, 17-13. The Broncos have trailed in four of their 11 wins this year, and have only spent a combined 87:37 of game time trailing in games (12% of game time).
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GET THE BALL OUT
Boise State has recovered eight fumbles this season, including two or more in three different games. The Broncos are first in the Mountain West and 20th in the country with 12 fumbles forced.
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LAUTER CONTINUES TO PRODUCE
Matt Lauter had three receptions for 45 yards against Oregon State, bringing his season totals to 38 catches for 461 yards. He is the first Boise State tight end since Jake Roh (2017) to record 35+ catches and first Bronco tight end since Jeb Putzier (2001) to register 450+ receiving yards.
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HEI2MAN-WORTHY NUMBERS
Ashton Jeanty has scored as many as or more total touchdowns (29) this season than the total scored by 17 FBS teams. His 174 points are more than the total of Houston and Kent State. He has scored 28 rushing touchdowns this season, equaling or besting the season total of 114 FBS teams, and rushed for 2,288 yards, more than 107 FBS teams. He is the only player with 250 rushing yards and 4+ rushing touchdowns in a game this season, and has done so twice.
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LOADING THE BOX
Through 12 games, the only way to stop Ashton Jeanty has been to load the box. Against 9+ man boxes, Jeanty has still scored 15 touchdowns, per PFF. He has 51 attempts against 9+ box defenders, most in the country among non-service academy players. He has been most effective against the standard 7-man box, running for 1,141 yards, 438 more than the next-closest player (Ahmad Hardy, ULM). Jeanty has 1,727 yards when facing 7+ box defenders. No other FBS running back has more than 1,200.
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Box Defenders      Att               Yards         Touchdowns      Jeanty Yards/Att               Rest of FBS Yards/Att
6Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 65Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 518Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8.0Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5.8
7Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 121Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1,141Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9.4Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5.3
8Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 72Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 484Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 3Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6.7Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4.5
9+Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 51Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 102Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 15Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2.0Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2.4
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BUCKING BRONCO
Of Jeanty's 2,288 rushing yards, 1,695 have come after contact. This is the most in a single-season during the College Football Playoff era (since 2014), when Pro Football Focus began tracking the stat. No FBS player has that many total rushing yards this season. His season total of 123 missed tackles forced on rushes is the most in the CFP era (since 2014), when PFF began tracking the stat. His overall total of 130 is also the most in a single-season. There have been 10 instances of a player forcing 100+ missed tackles in a season, with Jeanty being the only player to do it twice. In 2023, he forced 106 missed tackles in 12 games.
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ECLIPSING THE CENTURY MARK
For the 12th game in a row, Ashton Jeanty ran for at least 100 yards, churning out 226 yards on a career-high 37 attempts against Oregon State. The 12-consecutive 100-yard rushing games is the most in Mountain West history. Jeanty has not only eclipsed 100 yards in every game, he's totaled over 125 rushing yards. He is the first FBS player to run for over 125 yards in his first 12 games since at least 1996.
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MR. CONSISTENCY
Ashton Jeanty has been equally productive in both halves over the course of his historic season, averaging 102.7 yards per first half played and 105.6 yards per second half played. He averages 7.3 yards per attempt and has 14 touchdowns in first halves while rushing for 7.4 yards per carry and 14 touchdowns in second halves. Jeanty has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in 16 of the 22 halves he's played, six more than any FBS player in a single season since 2012. He has rushed for 100+ in a half in 11 of Boise State's 12 games, with the outlier being UNLV.
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ALL FOR 2(00)
Ashton Jeanty's 209-yard performance against Nevada marked the sixth 200-yard rushing performance of Jeanty's career, tying him with San Diego State's Donnel Pumphrey (2013-16) for third-most in Mountain West history. Jeanty is one 200-yard game shy of tying the MW record set by Rashaad Penny (San Diego State, 2014-17) and Brian Hill (Wyoming, 2014-16).
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SECOND TO NONE
With his 36-yard touchdown run against San Jose State, Jeanty broke Jay Ajayi's single-season school record of 1,823 rushing yards. Against Wyoming, Jeanty broke Ajayi's program record for most 100-yard rushing efforts in a season, recording his 11th. He has six three-touchdown games this season, tying Brock Forsey (2002) the most in Boise State history. This number also ties for third in FBS single-season history (since 1996.)
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REWRITING THE RECORD BOOK
Jeanty ran for 226 yards against Oregon State, extending his season rushing total to a Mountain West-record 2,288 yards. He scored his 28th rushing touchdown of the season, tying Jay Ajayi for second in MW history. Jeanty needs four more rushing touchdowns to eclipse the MW record of 31 set by Kapri Bibbs (Colorado State) in 2013.
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THE CLOSER
When it's crunch time, no running back in the FBS has been more productive than Ashton Jeanty. He leads the country in nearly every fourth quarter rushing category, including attempts (78), yards (642), touchdowns (9), first downs (26), 10+ yard rushes (20) and 20+ yard rushes (6). His average of 8.2 yards per carry is second-most among players with 40+ fourth quarter attempts.
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RACE TO THE END ZONE
Ashton Jeanty's 61-yard touchdown run against Wyoming was his ninth of at least 50 yards this season, more than double the number of any FBS player. Since 2000, only Bryce Love (Stanford) has more 50+ yard touchdowns in a season, running for 11 in 2017. It was also Jeanty's seventh touchdown of at least 60 yards, again more than double of any FBS player. He is tied with Rashaad Penny (San Diego State, 2017) for the most 60+ yard touchdowns in a season since 2000.
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DEUCE CAN DASH
Ashton Jeanty is known for breaking off big runs, but also impressive is his ability to limit rushes for loss. This season, he has been stopped behind the line of scrimmage 21 times. He has nearly as many 30+ yard rushes, totaling 16 this season. Jeanty is more likely to run for 20+ yards than he is to rush for a loss, tallying 23 attempts of 20 or more yards.
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SWEET 16
Spencer Danielson has opened his head coaching career with a 14-2 record, which includes his 3-1 mark as the interim head coach to end the 2023 season. He continues the tradition of successful head coaching careers leading Boise State as he has the third-most wins through the first 16 games as the Bronco head coach. Lyle Smith, in 1947-48, was a perfect 16-0 in his first 15 games while Chris Petersen, in 2006-07, was 15-1.
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Boise State Head Coaches, First 15 Games at the Helm
Head Coach                      Years         Record      Achievements
Lyle Smith                          1947-48    16-0           No. 6 in final Paul B. Williamson Poll of 1947, No. 4 in final poll of 1948
Chris Petersen                  2006-07    15-1           Fiesta Bowl Champion, WAC Champion, No. 5 in final AP Poll of 2006
SPENCER DANIELSONÂ Â Â Â Â 2023-24Â Â Â Â 14-2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â MW Champion, No. 11 in CFP Rankings, No. 10 in AP/Coaches Polls
Bryan Harsin                     2014-16    13-3           Fiesta Bowl Champion, MW Champion, No. 16 in final AP Poll of 2014
Tony Knap                         1968-69    13-3           Program's first two seasons as four-year program
Dan Hawkins                    2001-02    11-5           Humanitarian Bowl Champion, WAC Champion, No. 12 in final Coaches Poll of 2002
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WHEN OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
Boise State has scored 63 points off 14 takeaways this season, including 35 points off turnovers in the last five games. The Broncos have scored double-digits off turnovers in two of the last five games – after only scoring 10+ points off turnovers in the first seven games of the season. While Boise State has compiled 63 points off turnovers this year, it has held its opponents to only 23 points off eight turnovers. Last season, Boise State scored 48 points off turnovers.
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CONTINUING THE CLIMB
Boise State moved up to No. 11 in the College Football Playoff rankings and No. 10 in the AP Poll and US LBM Coaches Poll this week. The latest CFP ranking is the highest in program history. The Broncos remained the highest-ranked Group of 5 team, and as the fourth-highest ranked conference leader, were the No. 4 seed in the projected bracket. This is highest the Broncos have ranked in the Coaches and AP polls since the final polls of 2011, when they were tabbed No. 6 and No. 8, respectively.
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THIS IS BECOMING A HABIT
With the most recent rankings release by the Associated Press putting the Broncos at No. 10, this marks the 11th-consecutive week Boise State is in the AP's Top 25 poll. You won't have to look back far to see the last time Boise State achieved such a feat - it last happened in 2019. The 2024 season marks the ninth time the Broncos have been in the AP Top 25 poll for six consecutive weeks or more. Since 2000, Boise State has been ranked for at minimum nine consecutive weeks on eight separate occasions: 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016 and 2019.
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NEXT MAN UP
The Boise State offensive line has been dominant this season, paving the way for a unit that ranks in the nation's top 10 in various categories, including rushing offense and scoring offense. The Broncos have done this despite having seven different combinations of starters. Ten players have started at least one game for the Blue and Orange.
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WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO SHARE
Boise State enters this week's game with just eight total turnovers committed this season, tied for third-fewest in the nation. Army West Point (5) and Vanderbilt (7) are the only teams ahead of the Broncos.
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PROTECT THE QUARTERBACK
Thanks to a dominant offensive line, Boise State opponents have found it difficult to reach quarterback Maddux Madsen. Entering this week's game, Boise State ranks seventh in the nation in both sacks allowed (0.92 per game) and ninth in tackles for loss allowed (3.75).
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PROTECTING THE BLUE
Boise State has started 6-0 at home this season, its best home start since 2019 (7-0). Since 2019, the Broncos are 20-2 at home in conference games and have won 13 straight conference home games.
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THE GREATEST SHOW ON TURF
The Boise State offense is a major contributor to the team's 6-0 start at home. The Broncos are averaging 46.8 points per home game, third-most in the FBS. They are converting on 58.3 percent of third downs, ranking second in the nation. Boise State is 6-of-7 (85.7%) on fourth downs, tied for third in the nation. The unit is averaging 511.2 yards per game and 7.22 yards per play on The Blue, ranking fourth and sixth, respectively. Boise State is third in the nation with 279.5 rushing yards per home contest.
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BLUE TURF ADVANTAGE
After the Nov. 29 win over Oregon State, the Broncos have an .898 winning percentage on The Blue (141-16) since 2000. That marks the second-best home winning percentage of any team in the nation, trailing Oklahoma (.903, 139-15). Since 1986, when the non-green turf was first installed, the Broncos have compiled a 211-45 (.824) record on The Blue.
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BRONCO NATION MAKES AN IMPACT
Since 2018 (and excluding 2020), Bronco Nation has forced opponents to false start 111 times on The Blue. This is over 25 false starts more than the next-closest team (N.C. State, 85). Boise State averages 2.87 false starts forced per home game, easily the most in the FBS.
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SELLOUTS AT ALBERTSONS
Bronco Nation is as dedicated as any fan base and the fervor in which they follow the Broncos is reaching new heights. The 2024 season marks the first time in school history the Broncos have sold out all of their regular season home games and have done so well in advance. School officials announced on Oct. 22 that the final three home games of the regular season were sold out.
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THE MAGIC NUMBER IS 35
Boise State is unbeaten in its last 80 games when scoring 35 or more points. The Broncos' last loss when scoring 35+ was to No. 24 TCU on Nov. 12, 2011.
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THESE BRONCOS ARE LEAD HORSES
Boise State is in its 14th season in the Mountain West and the Blue Collar style that the program embodies seems to work. The Broncos are 90-17 (.841) in Mountain West league play and have won 23 of their past 26 MW games. Boise State has posted a 46-7 (.868) record in home conference games in the Mountain West. See Boise State's history against MW competition on Page 28.
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GO LONG!
Beware the big play. Boise State has 14 offensive plays of at least 50 yards this season, the most among FBS teams. Last season, the Broncos had 14 plays of 50+ yards. Only UCF (15) had more.
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YOU CAN'T STOP THIS STAMPEDE
Boise State has produced one of the most prolific and powerful offenses since 2000. Since the turn of the century, the Broncos have averaged 38.081 points per game, a mark that ranks second in the nation behind Oklahoma (38.303). See the top 10 list of those scoring offenses on Page 4.
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ONE-PLAY DRIVES
Because the Broncos are second in the nation this season in one-play touchdown drives. Currently, Boise State has scored six touchdowns by only using one-play drives, trailing only North Texas (7). See the national leaders in one-play touchdown drives on Page 9.
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WE'RE JUST CARRYING ON AN OLD FAMILY TRADITION
The Broncos have won 35 conference championships in its program history, the seventh-most conference titles won by any current FBS team. Boise State trails Oklahoma (50), Nebraska (46), Michigan (44), Ohio State (39) and USC (37).
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CHASING BACK-TO-BACK
While Boise State has won five Mountain West championships, it has never won back-to-back MW titles in its program history. The last time the Broncos won back-to-back conference titles was when they were members of the WAC from 2008-10 under head coach Chris Petersen.
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CHAMPIONSHIP COORDINATES
The Broncos currently have 15 league titles since 1996, when they joined the Football Bowl Subdivision, the most in the country during that time. Oklahoma (14), Ohio State (13), Florida State (12), and Alabama (10) are the only other schools in the country to win double-digit conference titles during in that span. The Broncos have won 35 conference championships all-time, including five in the Mountain West, eight in the WAC, two in the Big West and six in the Big Sky. The remaining 14 came while members of the Intermountain Collegiate Athletic Conference.
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A WIN WOULD…
- Give Boise State its 36th overall conference title in program history, 16th since 1996, and sixth in the MW.
- Extend the Broncos' winning streak to 11 games, which would be their longest in a single-season since 2009 (undefeated 12-0 season).
- Give Boise State a perfect home record in a season for the first time since 2019 (7-0).
- Be Boise State's 12th straight win at home.
- Be Boise State's first in a conference championship game at home since 2019 and fourth in sixth overall MW championship games on The Blue.
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Players Mentioned
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QB
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EDGE
/ FootballRB Dylan Riley - Postgame Press Conference vs. Air Force (Sept. 20, 2025)
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HC Spencer Danielson - Postgame Press Conference vs. Air Force (Sept. 20, 2025)
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FB | Boise State Highlights at Air Force
Saturday, September 20
FB | Erik Chinander Week 4 Press Conference
Monday, September 15
