Boise State Rallies Past Memphis in Home Opener

Saturday, September 12

Boise, Idaho

4 p.m.

Boise State

1-1 , 0-0

Memphis

2-1 , 0-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Memphis	7	13	0	0	20
Boise State	3	14	14	7	38

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Photo by: Kenna Harbison

9/12/2026 9:00:00 PM | Football

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BOISE, Idaho - Boise State overcame a 17-3 first half deficit to defeat Memphis, 38-20, in its home opener at Albertsons Stadium on Saturday.

The Broncos (1-1) utilized a strong offensive attack to claim the victory over the Tigers (2-1). Boise State totaled 578 yards of total offense, powered by 357 yards on the ground. Junior running back Dylan Riley led the way with a career-high 206 yards rushing.

Fifth-year quarterback Maddux Madsen threw for 221 yards and a touchdown pass, and added another rushing score with his legs. Akeem Wright caught four passes for 84 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Boen Phelps matched his career-high with eight tackles. Phelps and Max Stege each notched a sack in the win, while Phelps, Logan Brantley and Jayden Virgin-Morgan each recorded 2.0 TFLs. On special teams, Phelps blocked a field goal attempt and Cam Bates returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown.

Boise State was the first one to put points on the board, using Canaan Moore's leg to claim a 3-0 advantage following a 12-play, 53-yard opening drive. Memphis drove down the field on the ensuing possession, but Phelps blocked a field goal attempt from inside the five-yard line to prevent a score.

The Tigers took the lead right before the end of the opening quarter with an 87-yard touchdown reception. Memphis added a field goal of its own midway through the second period, and took a 17-3 lead two minutes later with an 80-yard rushing touchdown.

The Bronco offense responded with a 4:42 minute scoring drive, capped by a 37-yard touchdown reception from Akeem Wright. Travis Anderson notched his first career interception on the ensuing possession, setting up a 56-yard rush from Riley on the Broncos' first offensive play of the drive. Rasean Jones followed suit, scoring untouched on an end around from 19 yards out to tie the game at 17 with 1:07 left in the half.

Memphis responded, marching 57 yards down the field to knock in a 36-yard field goal as time expired to take a three-point lead to the locker room.

Out of the break, Sire Gaines gave the Broncos the lead by finishing off a 77-yard drive with an 11-yard rushing score. Nearly two minutes later following a three-and-out, Cam Bates returned a 72-yard punt for a touchdown to give Boise State a 31-20 advantage.

The Broncos kept rolling in the final quarter, with Madsen putting the exclamation point on a 98-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown rush. Boise State's defense kept the Tigers off the scoreboard for the entire half as the Blue and Orange claimed a 38-20 victory.

Top Broncos
- Dylan Riley rushed for a career-high 206 rushing yards on 19 carries, marking his second career performance with over 200 yards on the ground. The junior running back averaged 10.8 yards per carry.
- Maddux Madsen completed 17 of his 28 passes, finishing with 221 yards and no interceptions. Madsen added two touchdowns - one through the air and one on the ground.
- Akeem Wright hauled in four catches for 84 yards and a touchdown.
- Cam Bates recorded 94 all-purpose yards, including a 72-yard punt return touchdown in the third quarter.
- Boen Phelps recorded a team-high eight tackles, including a sack and a pair of TFLs. He also blocked a field goal in the opening period.
- Travis Anderson notched his first career interception.

Notables
- Boise State is now 28-3 in home openers since joining the FBS ranks, including 24 of its last 25. The Broncos boast a 13-2 mark in season openers against FBS opponents.
- Spencer Danielson improves to 15-1 in games on The Blue, including a perfect 6-0 against nonconference foes.
- Boise State finished the game with 578 total yards, the most since recording 592 yards against Air Force on Sept. 20 of last season. It is the 11th time the Broncos have recorded over 500 yards of offense under Spencer Danielson.
- The Broncos totaled 357 yards on the ground, marking the most rushing yards since the team notched 371 yards against Georgia Southern on Aug. 31, 2024. It is the second-straight season the program has recorded over 300 yards on the ground in its season opener.
- Maddux Madsen passed and rushed for a touchdown, his 10th career game with at least one passing and one rushing score.
- Dylan Riley finished with a career-high 206 rushing yards. It is Riley's second game with over 200 yards rushing.
- Riley's 206 yard rushing performance marks the ninth time a Bronco has rushed for over 200 yards in a contest since 2023. That number is the most across the country in that span.

What's Next
The Broncos will return to Albertsons Stadium to host South Dakota on Sept. 19. Kickoff will take place at 8 p.m. MT and will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network.