Boise State vs. Fresno State Final Score: Broncos Score 21 Straight to Upset No. 16 Bulldogs, 24-17
Broncos use defense to get the upset win at home.
Boise State does it again to Fresno State
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Fresno State comes in looking for their first win in against the Broncos in Boise since 1984. With Fresno State’s rise over the last 2 seasons, and Riley Whimpy and John Hightower being added to the injury report, this is the best chance for the Bulldogs to do so.
Statistically speaking this will be a close game as both teams come in with nearly identical numbers other than Boise State is lower in passing defense and points allowed per game. Momentum-wise, Fresno State is coming off an easy win last week against UNLV while Boise State is coming in off a much harder fought victory against BYU. This will also be the first time since 2001 against Washington State that the Broncos has been an underdog at home.
First Quarter
Boise opened up the game on offense and came out with guns blazing. The Broncos opened up with a 41-yard completion from Brett Rypien to Sean Modster. The Broncos were not able to capitalize, however, as they had a false start penalty, gave up a sack, and missed a 50 years field goal attempt by Haden Hoggarth.
Fresno State’s first possession proved troublesome after short completions by Marcus McMaryon to Jamie Jordan and Jared Rice got them down to a 3rd and 1. After getting pushed back to a 3rd and 6 with a false start penalty, the Bulldogs had to burn a timeout and were then called for a 2nd false start, turning their 3rd and 1 into a 3rd and 11. McMaryion’s pass fell incomplete and the Bulldogs punted the ball back to Boise State.
Boise State was able to get on the board with their following possession, moving the ball well through the air and on the ground. The Broncos covered 63 yards to set up a Hoggarth 35-yard field goal. As steady as the Broncos were on the drive there was still a little bit of drama when an incomplete pass from CT Thomas to Rypien was almost picked off and there was a little trouble with the hold on the field goal attempt.
Boise State 3, Fresno State 0
Second Quarter
After an exchanging of punts, Fresno started their drive on their own 17-yard line. The Bulldogs started showing this first signs of life as they moved the ball down the field. Jordan Mims‘ 22-yard rush and a 38-yard McMaryion completion to KeeSean Johnson set up Fresno State deep in the Boise State red zone. The Broncos stopped Ronnie Rivers on 1st and Goal but could not get to McMaryion before he found Johnson in the back of the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown completion.
Boise State responded by continuing to move the ball methodically down the field. Putting together a 14 play drive that covered 63 yards, the Broncos closed in on another scoring drive. On 4th and 2 at the Bulldog 12 yard line, the Broncos called on Hoggarth to put another 3 on the board but ended up outsmarting themselves as it was a fake field goal pitch to Hoggarth who was stopped for a 1-yard loss.
Fresno was poised to capitalize on the momentum and moved the ball quickly down the field using just 9 plays to get to the Boise State 21. Asa Fuller was called upon for a 38-yard field goal attempted to push the lead to 7, but the kick was pulled to the left of the goal post.
Boise State put together another solid drive chewing time off the clock and racking up yards on the normally stout Bulldog defense, but again came away empty-handed when Rypien overshot his target and was picked off in the end zone by Juju Hughes. Fresno State Started on the Bronco 33 yard line after the return and was able to close out the half by tacking on 3 points on a 47-yard field goal by Fuller.
Boise State 3, Fresno State 10
