Boise State Broncos ON SI

Game recap, analysis: Boise State snaps two-game skid, smashes Colorado State

Broncos down Rams, 49-21
Bob Lundeberg|
Boise State
Boise State | Boise State Athletics

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Boise State shook off its first two-game losing streak in Mountain West play since 2021 with a dominant 49-21 home victory over Colorado State on Saturday. 

The Broncos (7-4, 5-2) are still alive to make a third straight appearance in the MWC championship game entering next Friday’s regular-season finale at Utah State. Boise State has won the last two MWC titles. 

After scoring seven points apiece in their last two games, the Broncos piled up 533 yards of total offense en route to 49 points. Boise State also had four takeaways against Colorado State (2-9, 1-6). 

Read our game recap, with in-game analysis and big play highlights from start to finish.

FINAL STATS

Making his second career start, backup quarterback Max Cutforth completed 22 of 34 passes for 239 yards with no touchdowns or turnovers. 

The Broncos had 52 carries for 279 yards and six touchdowns as a team. Sire Gaines led the way with 22 carries for 149 yards and two scores while Dylan Riley had 14 carries for 72 yards and a TD.

In his first career start, Rams freshman quarterback Darius Curry completed 26 of 46 passes for 293 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. A video replay showed Curry spitting on Boise State’s Jayden Virgin-Morgan in the fourth quarter.  

Fourth quarter recap

Final score: Boise State 49, Colorado State 21.

Touchdown Broncos: Walk-on Seth Knothe gets a nine-yard rushing touchdown. Boise State 49, Colorado State 21, 2:29 remaining. 

BSU interception: Earby picks off his second pass of the game to put an exclamation point on this one. 

Touchdown Broncos: Malik Sherrod scores from 24 yards out to give the Broncos some breathing room. Two-point conversion try is good. Boise State 42, Colorado State 21, 5:48 remaining. 

Touchdown Rams: Tay Lanier catches a six-yard touchdown pass from Curry. Things have suddenly gotten a bit interesting at Albertsons Stadium. Boise State 34, Colorado State 21, still 9:32 to play.  

Onside kick: CSU goes with the surprise onside kick and recovers it at midfield. 

Touchdown Rams: Lloyd Avant punches it in from four yards out to cut into Boise State’s lead. Boise State 34, Colorado State 14, 11:09 remaining. One play earlier, Rams quarterback Darius Curry clearly spit in the direction of BSU’s Jayden Virgin-Morgan, but the officials missed it. That was a suspension-worthy infraction by Curry. 

Tough break Rams: Javion Kinnard takes a screen pass 91 yards to the house, but he is called for taunting during the play, nullifying the score. Brutal, brutal break for the Rams. 

BSU punt: Bates with yet another drop on third down. Drops have been an issue for BSU all season, and that’s one of the few things to complain about tonight. Rams have it at their own 9. 

Big sack: Have a night, Zion Washington. The senior drops Curry for an 11-yard loss on fourth down. Broncos take over at their own 48. 

Third quarter recap

End of quarter: Boise State 34, Colorado State 7. 

Touchdown Broncos: Gaines puts this one away with an eight-yard touchdown run up the middle. Boise State 34, Colorado State 7, 1:48 left in the third quarter. 

CSU punt: The BSU defense forces another three-and-out. Other than the first drive, it’s been an excellent defensive performance by the Broncos. Cutforth and company will begin at their own 32. 

BSU punt: Another horrendous third-down drop — this time from Cam Bates — ends the drive. Cutforth should be well over 250 yards passing but is still stuck on 232. Rams take over at their own 13, trailing 27-7.

BSU injury: Latrell Caples took a weird hit and was down for a while. Thankfully, he was able to walk off the field. 

BSU interception: Zion Washington makes a nice diving catch on a screen pass for BSU’s third takeaway of the day. Broncos have it at their own 46. 

BSU punt: Caples drops a perfect third-down Cutforth throw that would’ve gone for a big gain. Rams will have it at their own 33 when play resumes. 

CSU punt: Broncos survive another defensive penalty and get the ball back for the offense. BSU, leading 27-7, takes over at its own 10. 

Underway: Colorado State, trailing Boise State 27-7, begins the second half at its own 25.

Halftime recap

BSU domination: Broncos have out-gained CSU 360-79. Cutforth is 20 of 27 passing for 221 yards with no touchdowns or turnovers. He only threw it 18 times in last week’s loss to San Diego State. 

Second quarter recap

End of half: Boise State 27, Colorado State 7. 

BSU field goal: Boomer drills a 32-yard field goal after a really solid two-minute drive orchestrated by Cutforth. He’s been fantastic in this one. Boise State 27, Colorado State 7. Three seconds remain in the half after yet another replay review.

Play overturned: After review, it is an incomplete pass. Rams punt it back to the Broncos, who take over at their own 22 with 1:09 remaining in the half. 

Another turnover: Curry loses the ball in the pocket, and Braxton Fely recovers it deep in Rams territory. The play is under review as it certainly looked like Curry’s arm was coming forward.

Touchdown Broncos: Where has this offense been the last three games? Dylan Riley scores from two yards out, putting Boise State up 24-7 with 1:59 remaining in the half. Broncos have out-gained CSU 312-79.

CSU fumble: Jaden Mickey rips the ball out, and Earby falls on it at the CSU 45 for his second turnover of the game. BSU defense has played quite well after the opening drive. 

BSU field goal: Colton Boomer connects from 27 yards out to make it a 17-7 game, 3:37 to go in the half. That was a 12-play, 81-yard drive for the Broncos. 

Big play Broncos: Cam Bates hauls in a 42-yard pass from Cutforth, setting up a first-and-10 at the CSU 14. 

BSU interception: Jeremiah Earby intercepts an underthrown ball at the BSU 10. Boise State committed two more drive-extending penalties on that drive, but Earby ended the threat. 

Touchdown Broncos: Best drive of the season for BSU. Broncos go 98 yards on 10 plays, capped by a one-yard Malik Sherrod run. Boise State 14, Colorado State 7, 11:32 left in the half. 

First quarter recap

End of quarter: Boise State 7, Colorado State 7.

CSU punt: Huge stop for the BSU defense, which forces a three-and-out after the fumble. Broncos take over at their own 2 with 1:10 left in the quarter. 

BSU fumble: Latrell Caples fumbles the ball near midfield, and the Rams fall on it at their own 49. Another sloppy start for the Broncos after a solid opening drive. 

CSU punt: The BSU defense gets a quick three-and-out. Broncos take over at their own 35 following a poor Rams punt. 

BSU punt: Broncos go three-and-out as Cutforth is sacked on third down. Rams will have it at their own 28 when play resumes. 

Touchdown Rams: Rocky Beers catches a two-yard pass from Darius Curry to even the score. Boise State 7, Colorado State 7, 5:27 left in the opening quarter. 

Rams marching: Colorado State has it first-and-10 at the BSU 15 after a roughing the passer penalty. That’s two personal fouls on the Broncos this drive. Not good. 

Touchdown Broncos: Well that was easy. Boise State goes 79 yards on 14 plays, taking a 7-0 lead on a Sire Gaines three-yard run. An excellent start for the Broncos. 

Underway: Boise State will start at its own 21. 

Coin toss: Colorado State wins the toss and defers to the second half. Boise State and backup quarterback Max Cutforth will get the ball first. 

Pregame recap

Betting update: Boise State has remained a 16.5-point favorite all week. 

Weather update: Temperatures topped out around 50 degrees today in the Treasure Valley. We’ll be in the mid-40s at kickoff with no chance of rain. It will be cold — but well above freezing — by the end of the game. 

Odds are courtesy of FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Published | Modified
Bob Lundeberg
BOB LUNDEBERG

Bob Lundeberg is a reporter for Boise State Broncos On SI. An Oregon State graduate, Bob has lived in Idaho since 2019 and is an avid hiker and golfer.

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