BOISE, Idaho — The Boise State Broncos held the UNLV Rebels to just seven points, securing their sixth Mountain West Championship and second consecutive title. This solidifies BSU's historic season, and now sets them up for an appearance in the first ever 12 team college playoff. Albertsons Stadium was packed with enthusiastic fans, witnessing an unforgettable game that showcased the depth of the Broncos’ talent beyond Ashton Jeanty.
Quarterback Maddux Madsen delivered an impressive performance, throwing for over 150 yards with 18 completions on 27 attempts. Meanwhile, all eyes were on Jeanty as he pursued Barry Sanders’ record for the most rushing yards in a college season. While he fell short of breaking the record, Jeanty was instrumental in the Broncos' victory, rushing for over 200 yards to help clinch the championship. The running back did break two school records during the game, claiming first in all time rushing yards as well as single season rushing touchdowns.
**Below is quarter by quarter summary of the game**
Boise State Broncos vs UNLV Rebels - 6:00 PM KICKOFF
Boise State wins the coin toss and defers for the second half. Rebels started the game receiving the ball.
First Quarter:
In the first quarter, Boise State Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen threw for over 60 yards, helping set the tone for the offense. Ashton Jeanty delivered key yardage as usual, but with the Rebels effectively shutting down the run game, the Broncos turned to Madsen. He connected with Latrell Caples for a 22-yard touchdown, giving BSU an early 7-0 lead.
Before the quarter ended, the Broncos gave the crowd at Albertsons Stadium even more to cheer about. Seyi Oladipo delivered a big defensive play, sacking Rebels quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams for a 7-yard loss.
Second Quarter:
The UNLV Rebels had a chance to cut into the Broncos' lead with a 48-yard field goal attempt by Caden Chittenden, but his kick hit the post, sending Albertsons Stadium into a frenzy. Meanwhile, Madsen continued to impress, adding to his passing yard total and showcasing his versatility with a 14-yard touchdown run. The play went under review as officials debated whether his knee touched the ground before crossing the goal line, but the ruling favored the Broncos, awarding the touchdown. With a successful PAT, Boise State extended their lead to 14-0.
Though largely contained in the first quarter, Heisman hopeful Jeanty reminded everyone of his game-changing ability late in the second quarter. With just 30 seconds remaining, Jeanty broke loose for a stunning 75-yard touchdown run, demonstrating the brilliance he’s displayed all season. Jonah Dalmas stayed perfect with his PATs, going 3-for-3 to push the halftime score to 21-0.
As the second quarter closed, UNLV quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams threw a costly interception to Jeremiah Earby. While Earby didn’t gain any yardage on the return, the turnover gave Broncos fans one more reason to celebrate before the break, capping off an electric first half for Boise State.
Third Quarter:
Jeanty dominated on the ground with over 170 yards on 24 carries, showcasing his relentless run game. Meanwhile, Madsen continued his efficient performance, completing 15 of 22 passes, outshining UNLV’s Williams, who went 9 for 19.
UNLV had a fleeting opportunity to score when Kylin James broke free for an 86-yard run, only to be stopped just short of the goal line by Boise State’s defense. Despite being on the brink of the end zone, the Rebels were denied on 4th and Goal, allowing the Broncos to preserve their 21-0 lead.
Boise State's defense continued to dominate, causing headaches for Williams, with Marco Notarainni delivering another sack by the broncos pass rush.
Fourth Quarter:
Madsen continued to be successful through the air in the fourth quarter. After watching BSU dominate for over three quarters UNLV did not roll over and die easily. Greg Burrell gave life to the Rebels with their first touchdown on a 31-yard run to make the score 21-7 BSU. After a few lackluster drives by both teams, the Broncos ran the clock out, and sealed the win, claiming their 6th conference title in program history, while also punching their ticket to the College Football Playoffs.
