Final: Boise State 51, Eastern Washington 14
Looking to move past the disappointing season opener, the Broncos returned home to take on the Eastern Washington Eagles in front of a sold out home crowd of 32,887.
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyBoise State vs Eastern Washington Recap
1st Quarter
From the outset, it was clear that Boise State was not going to allow this night to be a disappointment. The Broncos started with the ball and it took them all of three plays to go 75 yards and get on the board for six. On the first snap, Sire Gaines took the ball 46 yards. Sherrod got the next two carries; the first for 9 yards and then scored on the following touch from 20 yards out. Unfortunately, the extra point was blocked.
Boise State 6, Eastern Washington 0
Jaden Mickey got the start over Davon Banks at nickel and immediately made his presence felt on the first defensive possession. He both forced and recovered a fumble and put the Broncos in business from the Eastern Washington 41. After a few quick completions to Lauter, Sire Gaines powered into the end zone from eight yards out.
Boise State 13, Eastern Washington 0
Boise State did actually have to punt before they got the ball back for another scoring drive. This time the drive was a slow, laborious…8 seconds. Starting with the ball on the BSU 40, Madsen chucked it deep to Ben Ford, who got behind the defense for a 60 yard TD.
Boise State 20, Eastern Washington 0
2nd quarter
Unfortunately, Boise State missed their next scoring opportunity Colton Boomer missed a 46 yard field goal attempt. So, the next points went to the team with the ACTUAL eyesore of a home field. It took them 10 plays, 72 yards, and the score came on a 4th down from five yards out, but Eastern Washington finally got on the board. Missing that field goal may have also led to Boomer’s benching (foreshadowing).
Boise State 20, Eastern Washington 7
The Broncos answered back immediately on their next possession, putting together a 5-play, 80 yard drive. This time, punctuated by a few timely Madsen scrambles, including the final play: An 11 yard Maddux Madsen run for six.
Boise State 27, Eastern Washington 7
The last points before the half came from a somewhat unexpected place. Despite an impressive catch and run by Chris Marshall, the Bronco drive stalled out at the EWU 17 and the Broncos brough the field goal unit out. However, it seems Colton Boomer was replaced as the kicker because it was actually Caanan Moore that converted for three points from 35 yards out.
Boise State 30, Eastern Washington 7
HALFTIME
3rd Quarter
The Eagles started the second half with the ball, but despite converting for a few first downs, they ultimately turned it over on downs at the BSU 35. Nine plays and 65 yards later, Cameron Bates took an end around 20 yards into the end zone for touchdown!
Boise State 37, Eastern Washington 7
4th Quarter
The Broncos started the 4th quarter off with a bang when Chris Marshall caught a pass and displayed some tackle-breaking skills for what looked like was going to be a breakaway score. Unfortunately he was barely tripped up at the end, but still went for 46 yards. Six plays later, Madsen connected with Ben Ford for a touchdown from six yards out.
Boise State 44, Eastern Washington 7
The Broncos put Max Cutforth in at QB with about 11 minutes to play. Despite having backups in, Boise State engineered another drive, largely enabled by a 34 yard run from Dylan Riley. In an extremely unfortunate turn of events, the “new” kicker missed their chance to add more points after an incompletion on 3rd and goal. Caanan Moore missed. Wide right, from just 24 yards. It might be a rough year, kicking-wise!
Eastern Washington responded by going 70 yards in five plays and scoring again on a four yard rushing TD by EWU backup QB, Nate Bell.
The drive was notable for a couple reasons. Firstly, because 49 of the yards were gained on a single play that appeared to be the fault of Davon Banks (judging by Spencer giving him an earful and sending him to the sideline). He did make a TD-saving tackle, though, fwiw. Secondly, there was a lengthy stoppage in play as EWU’s starting QB was looked at for an apparent neck injury. He eventually left the field on a stretcher, but the good news is that he was walking around beforehand. So, fingers crossed that it was just precautionary.
Boise State 44, Eastern Washington 14
The Bronco backups moved the ball again. This time scoring after traversing 75 yards on only three plays: Pass complete for two yards…Dylan Riley rush for a loss of four…Dylan Riley rush for a 77 yard TD!
Boise State 51, Eastern Washington 14
Trey Tolmaire intercepted EWU on their ensuing attempt to answer. The Broncos just killed clock with run plays all the way through 4th down and that was basically the end of the game. Technically, the Eagles got the ball again for a second, but the clock just ran out on them.
Final: Boise State 51, Eastern Washington 14
Obviously, racking up over 600 yards of offense is a much more satisfying way to see Boise State play. Winning is also, you know… nice. So, that’s a lot better of a feeling to take into a bye.
Not great that the secondary still allows some head-scratching big plays and the kicking game can best be categorized as “😬”. On the bright side, Ben Ford continues his ascendance and Chris Marshall finally had a breakout game. And then we got to see that not only can Sire Gaines break approximately gazillions of arm tackles, but Dylan Riley is still REALLY fast. Also, Jaden Mickey was all over the place after replacing Banks and got that early turnover that ended in points.
See anything else that stood out as a positive? Let us know in the comments below!
Ok, we beat a FCS bottom feeder—it’s a win.
Upside is our young running backs, tight end play, receivers looking better.
And I think the secondary was a bit better after they subbed McCoy for Earby.
Challenges: Secondary is still a major weak spot and special teams were grim.
We’ll know a lot more after the Air Force game in Colorado.
Above all, I hope the EWU kid who was taken out on a backboard is ok.
Go Broncos.
I hope that in two weeks we’re ready for the dreaded triple option.
Good win tonight with a couple of glaring things to clean up.
Danielson got a lot done this last week, I’m optimistic going forward.
[…] that significantly more satisfying game, Coach Danielson and a couple of the Boise State players were made available to the media. Turns […]
This was definitely a step in the right direction. I wasn’t looking at the score as much as I was watching the play execution. There were certainly a lot of bright spots, including better tackling, (somewhat) better passing, and a few longer runs. Dylan Riley, Ben Ford, and Chris Marshall come to mind, as does Jaden Mickey. On the flip side, some notables were the OL play, or lack thereof, passing, our missing sack machine, hitting instead of wrapping up tackles and, the long pass (lack of) defense. I’m fairly certain there will be a lot of film review. Hopefully… Read more »
Agree. Air For e is always a slug fest. And we either trounce them or play like crap.
It’s not so much the game, it’s my divided allegiance. I’ve been a Bronco fan since my son was a freshman for THE Fiesta Bowl and, I was in the class of 1982 at the Academy. I hate this game….
I think Air Force just isn’t the Boogeyman they once were. I think they’re a 5-7 to 7-5 team. The good news is that we won’t have to worry about the DBs giving up big passing plays & the Broncos will absolutely be forced to wrap up & tackle.
You can’t sleep on Air Force. They’re no pushover, but they just aren’t the team to keep you up late at night.
On the bright side, no more Triple Option offenses once we move to the Pac 12 in 2026. 😀
Watched this one closely. Our starting receivers don’t run good routes. They are lazy routes. Ben Ford runs a good route and got open. Our passing game still has serious issues. It’s going to be a tough year again with respect to consistency in the passing game outside of play action.
But… let’s not be downers! Love them running backs! They all looked Fantastic! Offensive line was blowing open jokes! Great win!!
Go Broncos!!
I’m less than impressed. I agree with everything AFFan1982.
Two long passes by UEW should have been caught. BSU defenders let them get by. BSU defenders can’t stay with them. Those guys ain’t elite (UEW receivers)
I’m a Madsen apologist, but he missed a lot of open receivers. I think he knows he did not play the game he should have. He didn’t look all that pleased with himself on the sidelines during the fourth quarter.
Ben Ford, WOW!
Dylan Riley, WOW!
Oscar Doyle, WOW!
Jaden Mickey, WOW!
Boomer’s performance was a bummer–sorry.
I mean if it’s any consolation USF did best the gators.