Final Score: Boise State 38, UW 10
This game wasn’t fun and there’s not a lot to take away from what was another interception-plagued debacle. Regardless, let’s recap what happened.
First Quarter
Boise State came out hot on the opening kick, with Malik Sherrod getting the ball to midfield. The offense sputtered after that, though, and they settled for a field goal. That would be the only points the Broncos would score until after the two minute warning in the 4th quarter.
Boise State 3, Washington 0
Washington answered back with a 15 play drive that took 7 minutes off the clock and traversed 60 yards. Thankfully, they had to settle for a field goal as well.
Boise State 3, Washington 3
Second Quarter
The second quarter was…ugly. For the sake of everyone’s sanity, I won’t recap each individual possession. I’ll just include this screenshot:
Boise State 3, Washington 24
Halftime Boise State 3, San Diego State 24
Third Quarter
After the half, Washington started with the ball, but it was immediately announced Maddux Madsen would be out for the rest of the game. Unfortunately, the Huskies were able to take that initial second half possession and almost as immediately score. This time from 32 yards out, after a six play drive.
Boise State 3, Washington 31
Fourth Quarter
There was a wild sequence in the fourth quarter where Cutforth got the Broncos down inside the five, but then he made his first major mistake by throwing an interception in the end zone. Immediately after that, Roman Caywood punched the ball out from a Husky ballcarrier and Jake Ripp recovered the fumble to put the Broncos right back in business with great field position. Aaaaand then Cutforth threw another INT on the very next play for what was *almost* a thick six. It would have been if the 285 lb DT hadn’t gotten speed wobble while evading a tackle from Cam Bates. Regardless, the Huskies still ran it in just a few plays later.
Boise State 3, Washington 38
Eventually, Cutforth was able to successfully engineer and complete a 13 play, 94 yard drive. He finished it off with a TD pass where he dumped it off to Matt Lauter just outside the end zone and let him power his way in.
Boise State 10, Washington 38
Final Score: 38-10, Washington
As previously alluded to, this game was painful to watch. That said, let’s focus on some positives:
- The defense collected five sacks, primarily against a highly elusive quarterback
- If the offense hadn’t kept giving the defense short fields from the 5 interceptions thrown (2 in the first half from Madsen, 3 in the second half from Cutforth), they actually played kind of okay.
- Kage Casey’s absence was unfortunate but also understandable and far from even a top five reason why this game was such a mess.
The season was a success in that it resulted in another conference championship, but the offseason needs to bring some soul searching if Boise State wants to compete with P4 schools and contend for playoff spots in the NIL era. Unless we’re counting wins over WSU and Oregon State, the Broncos are now 0-10 against the P4 since that comeback win at Florida State in 2019. Despite leading the whole game vs what ended up being the #1 team in the country most of last season (Oregon), the Broncos’ track record against that category of opponent has been bad in recent years.
Going into next year, some key pieces will be back on offense with Dylan Riley, Maddux Madsen, and Matt Wagner. On defense, JVM, Stege, and Mickey should be back. Also, there were some young guys that showed some things down the stretch. Specifically Roman Caywood, Boen Phelps, Sherrod Smith, Quinton Brown, and Sire Gaines (although we already knew he was good). The cupboard isn’t bare, but motivation levels are going to have to be higher and offensive play calling is going to have to be more imaginative if playoffs are the goal for next year.
Thank you all for your support and lively discussion. Despite the unfortunate end to the season (and as always and absolutely forever)…
A lot of soul searching is an understatement. Bench an obviously mediocre QB, then bring in a kid cold, facing a very good defense. Those decisions are solely on the coaches. Madsen should never have started, nor played, in the MWC game. Cutforth was starting to come into his own, and that was shut down in favor of Madsen. I’m obviously not a Madsen fan, and his performance is evidence as to the reason. Two throws into the OL, missed throws to wide open receivers, and other very ill-advised throws certainly don’t state “good”, but poor, QB play. He is… Read more »
Katin Houser, who decommitted from Boise to go to Michigan State, entered the portal, went to Coastal Carolina, and has entered the portal–again, is now available. (His decommitment is how the Broncos ended up with Madsen.)
I’m not familiar with him but, like it sounds like he’s the same as most of the players now-simply free agents looking for more money.
I’m not serious. Tongue in cheek.
Clearly I was oblivious!!! Hahahaha!!
However, wouldn’t the irony make us all delirious?
Absolutely! It was also most likely garner and incredibly sarcastic response from me….
That was rough for sure. Bottom line is that we have high expectations for this program. We have a team that is really quite good at most positions. Good enough in fact to have the 5th or 6th best QB in the conference and still win the championship. This problem isn’t unique to us. It happens. I think SD needs to hit the transfer portal. We picked up a couple of solid recruits but we can’t March out a Freshman QB at Oregon. Let’s buy ourselves a senior stud for a year then shift to one of the recruits. Almost… Read more »
Dear Santa,
I know I’ve been more naughty than nice, but can I still get a few things for Christmas?
A new offensive play caller.
A QB that is big strong and athletic.
A cadre of receivers who can catch the ball.
A healthy and strong offensive front line.
Returning runningbacks.
And a defense that can wrap up.
I know I deserve a lump if coal, but PLEASE!
And if none of those things are possible, a big bag of money so the Broncos can go out and buy them.
Dickey should present Danielson with such a list. And if he can’t deliver, he’s gone.
I will be pretty surprised if both Riley and Gaines return next year. I hope I’m wrong, obviously, but I think at least one of them will go to the portal.
Unfortunately, I’m thinking the same thing, and not just with them. NIL money has destroyed college ball.
Boy howdy!
Ik this is mainly for football but the bball team looks like it’s on the upward tick of things and hopefully they can continue.
Here’s what I think, as if anybody cares. Boise had nearly everyone returning this past season. The big hole needing to be filled was Jeanty. And everyone thought Gains, Sharrod, and Dubar would fill that hole. We don’t need any quarterback but the one we got, was the feeling. If you recall, the Broncos had a major QB controversy that led to a debacle in the 2023 season. The Broncos have almost all the returning O-line and a QB who took them to the playoffs in 2024. They’re set. Let’s have a good spring and fall camp, put on the… Read more »
North Texas QB to enter transfer portal. Sounds like a good opportunity.
What do you think it would take? $$$$$$$$-wise?
What it would take would be for Danielson to give it a try – he recently said, after the bowl fiasco, that Madsen is his quarterback.
I don’t take that comment to mean that no matter what, he’s our man. Of course, he is the QB. Who else is? The only ones on the roster who had better passing stats than Madsen were Bates and Doyle.
Sure, but SD said in a presser that he was not planning to add a qb in the off-season.
Let’s not forget, football coaches are as slippery as a Louisiana politician.
Here’s how to read him: (1) I’m not planning–it’s already been planned. (2) I’m not planning–somebody else is. (3) I’m not currently planning–but I will be in the future. (4, my favorite) It depends on what your definition of planning is.