3rd Quarter
New Mexico got the ball first needing to put together a good drive to start the 2nd half off right. Unfortunately for the Lobos, the Bronco defense was looking to occupy the Turnover Throne. On the second play of the drive, Daevon Vigilant ran for a 4-yard gain but didn’t get to the ground with the ball, fumbling it on the Lobo 29-yard line. KeKoa Nawhine recovered the fumble for Boise State’s second turnover of the game.,
The Lobo defense stood strong against the Broncos and had them set for a field goal attempt from the Lobo 11-yard line. Hoggarth made the kick but New Mexico’s Stanley Barnwell didn’t judge his dive properly and ran into him, giving the Broncos a 1st and Goal from the 5-yard line. It took just one more play for the Broncos to punish the Lobos for the mistake as Brett Rypien connected this Sean Modster for their 3rd touchdown of the game.
Following a relatively uneventful possession from the Lobos, Boise State went back to work to put this game away early. The Broncos were able to put together a solid drive using 14 plays to cover 53 yards and get themselves into field goal range. Haden Hoggarth was set for a 43-yard attempt but Stanley Barnwell got around the edge, this time cleanly blocking the kick, to turn the Broncos away with no points on the drive.
Boise State 31, New Mexico 7
4th Quarter
The Lobos and Broncos exchanged punts to begin the 3rd quarter with New Mexico coming out with a clear advantage on the exchange. On 4th and 7 from the Boise State 42 yard line, the Broncos elected to punt the ball to New Mexico’s Marcus Hayes. Hayes, who is one of the nations leading punt returners, made the Broncos pay for that choice by returning the kick 87 yards for New Mexico’s first punt return touchdown in 16 years.
Boise State didn’t do much to take momentum back on their next drive, going 3 and out after a failed onside kick. Bronco fans were starting to get the feeling that Boise State was letting off the gas a bit too much given the close recent history of this series. New Mexico started their drive looking to close the 17 point Boise State lead. Looking to open up the field the Lobos looked to complete a pass towards the sidelines but Sheriron Jones didn’t get enough harm into it, allowing Kekaula Kaniho to cut in front of the receiver and pick off the pass.
Boise State capitalized quickly on the turnover with a 41-yard Alex Mattison touchdown run. With this run, Alex Mattison went over 1000 rushing yards for the second time in his career and is the 10th consecutive season that Boise State has had a 1000-yard rusher.
New Mexico couldn’t manage to put a drive together to try to get back in the game turning the ball over on downs near midfield. With Brett Rypien and Alex Mattison taking the rest of the night off Jaylon Henderson and Andrew Van Buren stepped in to close out the game by putting together a short scoring drive to push the lead to 45-14. Andrew Van Buren got to cap off the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run, the first of his Bronco career.
Final: Boise State 45, New Mexico 14
Key Moment
4th Quarter 8:27 remaining: Kekaula Kaniho’s interception took the momentum back from the Lobos and sparked a quick score by the offense off the turnover
Player of the Game
Sean Modster. With injuries throughout the receiver group, Modster needed to step up and produce for the Broncos to be successful. He responded with 9 catches for 129 yards and 3 touchdowns
Final Thoughts
This was a game that Boise State should have handled with ease. Despite having a series here and there were either the offense or the defense played a little flat, that is what they did. They have to sure up some parts of their game plan to make sure that they will be ready for next week but are still improving through the season. The offensive line has come a long way from 7-8 weeks ago where having a 1000-yard rusher was in doubt. As long as the staff and players keep identifying problems and adjusting, the winning should continue.
Next Up
The Broncos host No. 23 Utah State next Saturday at 8:15 MT for the Mountain Division Title and to host the Mountain West Championship game. ESPN’s Matchup predictor give Boise State a slight 52.3% edge to win.
