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Game recap, analysis: San Diego State smothers Boise State to take control of Mountain West race

Aztecs defeat Broncos, 17-7
Bob Lundeberg|
Boise State Broncos running back Dylan Riley.
Boise State Broncos running back Dylan Riley. | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

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Boise State BroncosSan Diego State Aztecs

In miserable conditions at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego State seized first place in the Mountain West standings with a 17-7 home victory over Boise State. 

The Aztecs (8-2, 5-1) held Boise State (6-4, 4-2) to 268 yards of total offense and zero points in the second half. 

Wet weather forced both teams to lean on their rushing attacks, and San Diego State’s tandem of Lucky Sutton (25 carries, 150 yards) and Christian Washington (nine carries, 98 yards) wore down the Boise State defense. 

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

FINAL STATS

Making his first career start at quarterback as an injury replacement for Maddux Madsen, Max Cutforth completed 12 of 18 passes for 104 yards. 

Dylan Riley had 21 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown while Sire Gaines added 78 yards on 13 carries. 

The Broncos have been held to seven points in all four losses this season.  

Fourth quarter recap

Final score: San Diego State 17, Boise State 7. Aztecs seize first place in the MWC standings. 

Missed field goal: What a miserable night for the Broncos. The drive stalls and Colton Boomer misses a 41-yard field goal. Aztecs can knee out the clock. 

Two-minute timeout: Broncos are on the move at the SDSU 26. Cutforth has made some nice throws this drive. Where has this been all game? 

Aztecs punt: BSU’s defense does get a stop, but the Broncos have to burn all three timeouts. BSU will begin at its own 19, trailing 17-7 with 3:37 remaining. Oh, and the Broncos have 32 passing yards so far. Desperation time. 

BSU penalty: Cutforth hits Cam Bates for a 19-yard gain, but the play is called back on a holding penalty. Brutal, brutal break for the Broncos, who are now forced to punt. Aztecs take over at their own 14 following the punt. 

Critical play: Ahead of a BSU fourth-and-two at the SDSU 42, Aztecs take their first timeout with 7:46 remaining. 

Aztecs field goal: Gabriel Plascencia connects from 47 yards out. San Diego State 17, Boise State 7, 10:51 remaining. Boise State will have to open up the offense to come back in this one. 

Third quarter recap 

End of quarter: San Diego State 14, Boise State 7.

BSU punt: This is getting hard to watch. An offensive face mask on Gaines backs BSU up, and the Broncos finally attempt a pass after 22 straight run plays. It goes for a six-yard gain, but not nearly enough to move the sticks. Aztecs, still leading 14-7, have it at their own 31 with 1:12 to go in the third quarter. 

SDSU punt: Aztecs hit one big pass play but the drive stalls just outside of field goal range. Green’s punt again slips into the end zone, and BSU will begin at its own 20. 

Injury update: SDSU leading receiver Jordan Napier is out for the rest of the game. He took a low hit in the first half and is on the sideline with a leg brace. 

BSU punt: More of the same from the BSU offense after halftime. Sherrod is dropped for a big loss on third down, and BSU punts it back to the Aztecs. SDSU takes over at its own 29, leading 14-7. 

Aztecs punt: SDSU opts to punt, and Hunter Green’s boot goes into the end zone for a touchback. Big stop for the BSU defense. 

Call overturned: After review, Brown was indeed out of bounds. San Diego State has a fourth-and-two upcoming from the BSU 46. 

Replay review: Donovan Brown catches a 29-yard pass on third down, but it looks like Brown was out of bounds. The play is under review. 

Underway: Aztecs, leading 14-7, begin the second half at their own 25. 

Halftime recap

BSU stats: It’s been all about the ground game for the Broncos with Gaines (nine carries, 65 yards) and Riley (15 carries, 57 yards). Cutforth is 4 of 6 passing for 13 yards in his first career start. 

Defensive battle: In wet conditions, SDSU has out-gained BSU 161-134. Aztecs have -5 yards passing but are averaging 8.3 yards per carry (20 rushes, 166 yards). 

Second quarter recap

End of half: San Diego State 14, Boise State 7. Aztecs get the ball to start the second half. 

Aztecs touchdown: On a quarterback draw, Denegal scores on third and goal from eight yards out. BSU was caught napping on that call. SDSU 14, BSU 7, 1:10 left in the half. 

Aztecs convert: Lucky Sutton pops a 27-yard gain on fourth-and-one. Aztecs have a chance to take the lead heading into halftime. 

Fourth-down decision: Aztecs are facing a fourth-and-one from midfield with 2:41 remaining, and SDSU takes a timeout to think about it. This is normally an auto-go situation, but it’s a defensive game in bad weather. 

Touchdown Broncos: Dylan Riley runs it in from nine yards out on third-and-seven to tie this game up. Really good answer drive by the Broncos, who go 75 yards on 14 plays. Boise State 7, San Diego State 7, 5:29 left in the half. 

Call stands: After review, the calls stands and Riley is ruled down. It was close, but I think the officials got it right. 

Possible fumble: The ball came out on a Dylan Riley run up the middle, but it looks like his knee was down first. The play is under review. 

Broncos marching: Sire Gaines picks up first downs on back-to-back runs, and the Broncos are in San Diego State territory. 

Touchdown Aztecs: Quarterback Jayden Denegal punches it in from one yard out to give San Diego State a 7-0 lead. Aztecs rode backup running back Christian Washington on that drive. 

First quarter recap

End of quarter: Boise State 0, San Diego State 0. Three combined first downs and seven punts so far. 

Big play Aztecs: Christian Washington rips off the first big play of the game, a 41-yard run on first down. 

Big play Aztecs: Christian Washington rips off the first big play of the game, a 41-yard run on first down. 

BSU punt: The rain is really coming down now, and Cutforth loses the ball on a third-down scramble attempt. Malik Sherrod falls on it to prevent a total disaster. This punt sails into the end zone, and SDSU takes over at its own 20. 

SDSU punt: Three drives, nine plays, zero first downs for San Diego State. Neither team appears to have an answer for the other team’s defense. BSU’s field position keeps getting better, and the Broncos will begin drive No. 4 at its own 46. 

BSU punt: Same story for the Broncos, one first down and punt. Aztecs are pinned back at their own 6 after a nice Doyle punt. Doyle has been the game’s MVP so far. 

MWC update: UNLV defeats Utah State in double overtime on a walk-off touchdown. The action at Snapdragon Stadium should be on CBS Sports Network shortly. 

SDSU punt: Four drives, one first down. I’m not sure if this is great defense or terrible offense. Broncos have it back at their own 34. 

BSU punt: Broncos get one first down but the drive stalls just shy of midfield. Punter Oscar Doyle pins San Diego State at its own 11 as Utah State and UNLV prepare for a second overtime period. Both teams missed field goals in overtime. 

SDSU punt: The BSU defense returns the favor and forces a three-and-out of its own. This game might set a MWC record for total punts. Broncos get it right back at their own 27. 

BSU punt: Broncos go three-and-out on their opening drive. Two Dylan Riley runs and a Cutforth incompletion. Aztecs will begin at their own 29. 

Underway: After a touchback, Boise State will begin at its own 25. 

MWC update: Utah State’s game-winning field goal attempt sails wide right. UNLV and Utah State are headed to overtime. Boise State and San Diego State will not start on CBS Sports Network. 

Coin toss: San Diego State wins the toss and defers to the second half. Boise State will get first crack with the ball in Max Cutforth’s first career start at quarterback. 

Pregame recap

MWC madness: UNLV ties the game with a field goal. Utah State will have two minutes and change remaining to re-take the lead. 

Broadcast schedule: Utah State is holding on to a late 23-20 lead at UNLV. The Boise State/San Diego State game may not start on CBS Sports Network.

Betting update: San Diego State is now a 2.5-point favorite. The Aztecs opened -2.5, but the line dropped to -1.5 on Friday. 

Injury update: No surprises on BSU’s injury report. The Broncos will be without starting quarterback Maddux Madsen, leading receiver Chris Marshall and left guard Jason Steele. 

Weather update: San Diego has received more than one inch of rain in the last 24 hours, and intermittent showers are expected throughout tonight’s 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.

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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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