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Game recap, analysis: Boise State hammers UNLV in Mountain West showdown, 56-31

Broncos extend home winning streak to 16 games
Bob Lundeberg|
Boise State's A'Marion McCoy
Boise State's A'Marion McCoy | Boise State Athletics

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Boise State BroncosUNLV Rebels

In a rematch of the last two Mountain West championship games, Boise State secured another victory over UNLV on Saturday.

The Broncos (5-2, 3-0) piled up 558 yards of total offense in a 56-31 win over the previously unbeaten Rebels (6-1, 2-1). 

Boise State, the defending MWC champion, has now won 16 straight games at Albertsons Stadium. 

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

FINAL STATS

Dylan Riley led the way for the Boise State offense, running for a career-high 201 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. 

Maddux Madsen completed 14 of 23 passes for four touchdowns and an interception. 

UNLV Anthony Colandrea finished 18 of 30 passing for 215 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Colandrea also ran for 87 yards and a TD. 

Fourth quarter recap

FINAL: Boise State 56, UNLV 31.

Touchdown Rebels: UNLV avoids the second-half shutout with a 17-yard Anthony Colandrea touchdown pass to Troy Omeire. Boise State 56, UNLV 31, 2:45 to go in this one. 

Touchdown Broncos: BSU hits the 50-point mark on a 21-yard wheel route TD reception. Boise State has made a statement today, leading 46-24 with 5:11 remaining. That was a 12-play, 82-yard drive that took off nearly eight minutes of clock. 

Fourth-down stop: BSU’s defense gets a big stop in the red zone to keep the second-half shutout intact. Broncos take over at their own 18, leading 49-24. 

Third quarter recap

End of quarter: Boise State 49, UNLV 24. 

Pick-six Broncos: A’Marion McCoy jumps in front of a UNLV receiver and races 60 yards to the end zone. Third career pick-six for McCoy. Boise State 49, UNLV 24, 54 seconds left in the quarter.

Touchdown Broncos: BSU gets some much-needed separation here on a 32-yard touchdown connection between Madsen and Marshall. For as bad as the BSU defense has been at times this season, UNLV’s is on a different level. Broncos 42, Rebels 24, 2:21 to go in the half. 

Big sack: Marco Notarainni and David Latu team up to sack Colandrea for a nine-yard loss. Rebels are again forced to punt, and BSU has it back at its own 12, leading 35-24. 

Touchdown Broncos: Sire Gaines takes a screen pass 20 yards to the house. The UNLV defense was completely fooled on that one. Boise State 35, UNLV 24, 9:38 left in the half. 

Big play Broncos: Chris Marshall makes a fantastic 45-yard diving catch, somehow surviving the ground. Marshall was shaken up on the play. 

UNLV punt: On fourth-and-one from its own 37, UNLV opts to punt it away. Second time this game that Dan Mullen has chosen to punt on fourth-and-one in Rebels territory. BSU, leading 28-24, takes over at its own 32 following a UNLV personal foul. 

BSU punt: Broncos go three-and-out on their first drive of the half. UNLV takes over at its own 16. 

Underway: Boise State, leading 28-24, begins the second half at its own 40 following a strong Malik Sherrod return. 

Halftime recap

Offensive outburst: Boise State has 307 yards of total offense to UNLV’s 267. Broncos have run for 206 yards on 15 carries (13.7 yards per rush).

Second quarter recap

Halftime: Boise State 28, UNLV 24. There were several boos as the Broncos chose to run out the clock to end the half. BSU gets the ball to begin the second half. 

Touchdown Rebels: Colandrea scrambles up the middle for an eight-yard touchdown. That was a massive drive for the Rebels, who trail Boise State 38-24 with 43 seconds left in the half. 

False start: UNLV is called for its fourth false start of the first half. Rebels are back at the 8, facing a second-and-goal with 48 seconds on the clock.

Big play UNLV: DeAngelo Irvin Jr. takes a bubble screen 60 yards to the BSU 7. 

Rebels get huge stop: After punting it back to BSU, the UNLV defense rises up and forces a three-and-out. Rebels take over at their own 33 with 73 seconds left in the half. UNLV will be in attack mode here. 

Two minute timeout: UNLV will be punting it back to BSU when play resumes. Broncos still up 28-17. 

BSU injury: Safety Zion Washington was helped off the field. It appears to be a right leg injury. That's two key injuries for the Broncos today (Ben Ford).

Riley update: Five carries, 149 yards. That’ll work. 

Touchdown Broncos: Well that was quick. Madsen completes a 26-yard pass to Cam Bates on first down and Riley then rips off a 49-yard touchdown run. I hope you bet the over in this one. Boise State 28, UNLV 17, 4:24 on the clock. 

Officiating: Both fan bases are complaining about the lack of calls on social media. To me, that’s the sign of a well-officiated game. Refs are letting them play out there. 

Touchdown Rebels: Jaden Bradley beats Jaden Mickey and Ty Benefield on a post route and Colandrea delivers a perfect ball for a 35-yard touchdown. The Rebels sure are explosive. Boise State 21, UNLV 17, 5:09 to play in the half. 

Touchdown Broncos: Madsen hits Latrell Caples for a seven-yard touchdown. It feels like BSU is going to score a lot of points in this one. Broncos 21, UNLV 10, 7:40 remaining in the half. 

Riley explodes: Dylan Riley takes a left toss and explodes around the corner for a 63-yard gain. Great blocking and running on that play. 

Special teams woes: Special teams have been a major issue for BSU the last two seasons. My opinion: you’re either coaching it or allowing it to happen. Spencer Danielson has defended special teams coach Stacy Collins, but it’s getting harder and harder to explain away all the mistakes. 

Touchdown Rebels: Jai’Den Thomas punches it in from one yard out. Broncos with two costly turnovers in the second quarter, and UNLV finally takes advantage. Boise State 14, UNLV 10, 9:33 left in the half. 

Special teams miscue: Once again, the BSU defense stiffens and forces a punt, but Sherrod muffs this kick. UNLV falls on it at the BSU 16. Another special teams disaster for the Broncos. 

Madsen picked: A poor throw by Madsen is deflected and intercepted by the Rebels. UNLV needed a spark and Laterrance Welch provided it. Rebels have it first-and-10 at the BSU 46. 

UNLV punt: Rebels opt to punt and Malik Sherrod corrals the line-drive kick at the BSU 21. Risky play there by Sherrod, but he held onto it. 

First quarter recap 

End of quarter: Boise State 14, UNLV 3. Rebels will have a fourth-and-one from their own 34 when play resumes. 

Touchdown Broncos: Madsen hits Chris Marshall for a 19-yard gain to the UNLV 35, and Cam Bates takes a reverse around the left side 35 yards to the house. That was a great play design by the Broncos. Boise State 14, UNLV 3, 1:14 to go in the quarter. 

UNLV field goal: Rebels drive inside the red zone, but two false start penalties kill the drive. Ramon Villa drills a 38-yard field goal, cutting Boise State’s lead to 7-3. 3:10 left in the quarter. 

Broncos punt: Madsen is sacked on third down, and BSU is forced to punt it back. Left guard Jason Steele was badly beaten on the play. Rebels take over at their own 45.

BSU injury: Ben Ford takes a big hit over the middle and is having his left leg looked at. Not good. 

UNLV punt: The BSU defense holds and forces a second UNLV punt. Broncos, leading 7-0, will begin at their own 13. 

Rebels on the move: UNLV picks up back-to-back first downs and reaches BSU territory for the first time today. Running back Jai’Den Thomas and Colandrea are electric. 

Touchdown Broncos: Sire Gaines finishes it off with a two-yard touchdown run. A phenomenal start for the Broncos, who lead 7-0 with 11:26 remaining in the opening quarter.

Explosive run: Dylan Riley shows off his speed with a 31-yard run around the right side. Broncos have a first-and-goal at the 2. 

Broncos marching: Maddux Madsen connects with Ben Ford for a 26-yard gain on third-and-long. Broncos are already in field goal range. 

UNLV punt: Rebels go three-and-out as Jaden Bradley drops a perfect throw from Colandrea. Jaden Mickey was right there in coverage, but the pass should’ve been completed. Broncos take over at their own 40 following a poor punt. 

First-play sack: Marco Notarainni sacks electric UNLV quarterback Anthony Colandrea on the first play. A great start for the BSU defense. 

Underway: Colton Boomer’s kickoff is a touchback. UNLV begins the game at its own 25. 

Pregame recap

Coin toss: Boise State wins the toss and defers to the second half. UNLV’s explosive offense will be on the field first. 

Betting update: Based on social media, it looks like a lot of the general public is backing undefeated UNLV in this one. I get it with the Rebels coming in undefeated, but UNLV hasn’t faced a difficult schedule this season. Boise State is significantly more tested. 

Weather: It’s a perfect day for football in Boise. Temperatures are expected to top out in the low 60s on a gloriously sunny day. 

TV update: Houston defeats Arizona on a last-second field goal, 31-28. The Boise State/UNLV game will start on FS1. 

Betting line: Boise State, which opened as an 11.5-point favorite over the Rebels, is up to -13.5. The over/under is set at 61.5 points. 

Injury update: Defensive back Davon Banks, linebackers Samuel Brooks and Chase Martin and offensive tackle Hall Schmidt are all out for today’s game. Cornerback Sherrod Smith, who was listed as questionable, will play for the Broncos. 

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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