BOISE – No Eric McAlister? No problem.
After maybe the most trying week of the season that saw its star receiver decide he no longer wanted to be a part of the team, Boise State got a much-needed reprieve. The Broncos picked up a 42-14 win over New Mexico Saturday night on The Blue at Albertsons Stadium.
It kept their hopes alive of becoming bowl eligible for a 25th consecutive season – and thanks to losses by Fresno State and Air Force, got them back into the Mountain West title race.
Boise State (5-5 overall, 4-2 Mountain West) needs to win one of the next two games to become bowl eligible. It visits Utah State (5-5) next week before hosting Air Force (8-2) in the home finale on Nov. 24.
“Right now, we’re gonna play for each other. We’re gonna play for the love of the game,” Boise State senior safety Alexander Teubner said. “It’s almost a freeing feeling in a sense.
“It’s just a good team win.”
The Broncos had several players step up in the absence of McAlister, who with 47 receptions, 873 yards and five touchdowns was on pace for a top-5 receiving season in school history. The biggest of which was Prince Strachan. The true freshman wide out came into the game with just 63 yards on the year. He eclipsed that total with his first catch of the game.
There was no one within about 30 yards of him when Maddux Madsen spotted the blown coverage. The redshirt freshman quarterback hit Strachan for a 74-yard touchdown pass to give Boise State some breathing room at 22-14 with 13 minutes and 13 seconds remaining in the first half.
It jump-started a 27-0 run for the Broncos to close the game. Strachan finished with three catches for 128 yards and the score.
“The preparation that he comes with and the preparation in practice and the intent, I was just glad that he was able to display it today,” redshirt sophomore quarterback Taylen Green said. “All the blood, sweat and tears that goes into it.”
Austin Bolt also finally had his moment.
The redshirt junior wide receiver and the hometown kid from Borah High, got his long-awaited first career touchdown catch as Bronco.
Madsen hit him in stride for a 42-yard touchdown pass and the game’s first points less than two minutes into the game on Boise State’s opening possession.
It came after a 33-yard catch last week against Fresno State – his first career catch – multiple position changes and exactly 434 days after Bolt shattered his left leg. He broke both his tibia and fibula during the opening kickoff of the 2022 season opener against Oregon State.
Bolt ended up with two catches for 57 yards.
“I think everybody was trying our best not to get a penalty to be out there celebrating with him on the field,” Boise State coach Andy Avalos said. “He’s a guy that’s been through a fair amount. We always talk about it’s 10% of what happens and 90% of how you respond. And that’s a great example.”
Green fit the bill too.
After making the last 19 starts for the Broncos, he watched from the sideline as Madsen made his first career start. This came off the heels of being out-snapped by Madsen over the last four weeks. Green actually started the game last week against Fresno State. But he was immediately pulled after the first play. Madsen went on to go 22-of-42 for 258 yards. Green was 1-of-2 for 32 yards.
“Being a competitor, it was a little tough to be honest,” Green said. “It was a tough pill to swallow. But if it’s best for the team, it’s best for the team.
“So honestly, it’s just doing whatever it takes to get that win.”
Green certainly did that Saturday.
He made the most of his four snaps in the first half. Green didn’t enter the game until the closing seconds of the first quarter. But the Broncos scored on the first play that he was in. Green handed the ball to senior tailback George Holani, who gave them a 15-7 lead on his 10-yard touchdown run during the final play of the first quarter
Green then extended the lead to 29-7 on a 19-yard scramble with 9:04 to go in the second quarter.
However, it was the second half where he stepped up the most.
Green had to play the rest of the game after Madsen was knocked out of the game with six seconds remaining in the first half. Madsen, who had 202 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns at that point, took a hard shot on a scramble and had to be helped off the field. Boise State did not give an update on his status after the game.
Green came in and immediately led an impressive 11-play, 71-yard scoring drive that spanned almost six minutes. It was capped by Holani’s second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run to push the lead to 39-14 with 3:02 left in the third.
But Green accounted for 40 of those yards himself and completed 3-of-4 passes, including a 24-yard connection to Strachan on the drive.
Green followed that up by connecting with senior wide receiver Billy Bowens on a tight window down the sideline for a 15-yard gain. It set up a 44-yard field goal by senior kicker Jonah Damas that pushed the lead to 42-14 with 11:59 remaining in the game.
Green went 5-of-6 for 63 yards and ran for another 28 on the night.
“Adversity can bring out true character and really show who people are. He demonstrated who he is tonight,” Avalos said. “Love him for that. Love him for how he handled everything this week and excited to see him keep going.”
Holani and true freshman Jambres Dubar each almost reached the century mark on the ground. Holani had 95 yards and two touchdowns, while Dubar wasn’t too far behind with 91. Holani also added 43 yards receiving for a total of 138.
Not to get lost in the fold was the performance of the defense.
After giving up 158 yards in the first quarter alone and 14 points through the first 16 and a half minutes, it pitched a shutout the rest of the way. The Lobos (3-7, 1-5) only mustered 69 yards total in the second half.
The defense also came away with a key turnover right before the half.
Trailing 29-14, New Mexico was threatening to make it a one-score game with the ball at the Bronco 6 with two minutes to go until halftime. But junior nickel Seyi Oladipo dislodged the ball from Jacory Merritt Croskey and Teubner was there to recover. Boise State then went the length of the field to allow Damas to drill a 22-yard field for a 32-14 lead at the break.
Junior defensive end Ahmed Hassanein led the defensive effort with a pair of sacks. He now has nine on the season, which ranks second in the Mountain West.
Ashton Jeanty, Chase Penry, Riley Smith, Ty Benefield, Tyler Wegis, Demitri Washington, Marco Notarainni, Dishawn Misa and Stefan Cobbs were all out Saturday. Boise State announced that Cobb is done for the season with a leg injury.
Boise State’s road game at Utah State next Saturday will start at 5 p.m. and air nationally on CBS Sports Network.
