Boise State delivered a statement performance in the Mountain West Conference Championship, defeating No. 19 UNLV 21-7 on Friday night. With the win, the Broncos (12-1, No. 10 CFP) clinched their second consecutive conference title and all but locked up a historic College Football Playoff (CFP) berth.
The Broncos were powered by star running back Ashton Jeanty, who put on a masterclass performance to solidify his Heisman Trophy candidacy. Jeanty rushed for 209 yards, including a spectacular 75-yard touchdown run late in the first half that gave Boise State a commanding 21-0 lead. The electrifying score was Jeanty’s fifth touchdown run of 70 yards or more this season, tying an FBS single-season record held by LaDainian Tomlinson.
Jeanty also climbed further into the record books, surpassing Marcus Allen’s 1981 rushing total to move into fourth place on the FBS single-season rushing list. He now needs just 132 yards to eclipse Barry Sanders’ all-time record of 2,628 yards set in 1988.
“It’s a blessing to even be mentioned alongside legends like that,” Jeanty said postgame. “But I’m focused on helping my team win, and tonight was about getting back to the playoffs.”
With UNLV (10-3, No. 20 CFP) selling out to stop the run early, Boise State turned to quarterback Maddux Madsen, who shined in the opening quarter. Madsen completed six of his first seven passes, including a 22-yard touchdown strike to Latrell Caples to put the Broncos up 7-0.
Later in the second quarter, Madsen showcased his dual-threat ability with a 14-yard touchdown scramble, extending Boise State’s lead to 14-0. Following a defensive stop, Jeanty broke through UNLV’s stacked defensive front and raced 75 yards for the game-breaking touchdown with just 29 seconds left in the half.
Boise State’s defense, one of the stingiest in the nation, suffocated a high-powered UNLV offense that entered the game averaging 38.7 points per contest. The Rebels didn’t score until late in the fourth quarter when Greg Burrell broke loose for a 31-yard touchdown run.
UNLV’s best chance to mount a comeback came in the third quarter when Kylin James ripped off an 86-yard run, but Boise State safety Seyi Oladipo chased him down at the 5-yard line. The Broncos’ defense responded by forcing a turnover on downs, extinguishing any hope of a Rebels rally.
Despite the loss, UNLV capped a landmark season under first-year head coach Barry Odom. The Rebels posted their first 10-win season in 40 years and demonstrated they are a program on the rise. Odom praised Boise State postgame, saying, “They’re the gold standard in this league right now, but I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished this year. This is just the beginning.”
First-year head coach Spencer Danielson has reinvigorated a Boise State program that has been yearning to return to the national spotlight since its iconic 2006 Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma. Now, the Broncos will await Sunday’s CFP selection show to learn their opponent and destination.
With Boise State currently ranked No. 10 in the CFP rankings, they are poised to secure a first-round bye as one of the top four conference champions, assuming they stay ahead of the Big 12 winner.
“This is what we’ve been working toward,” Danielson said. “Our players believe we can compete with anyone in the country, and now we get the chance to prove it.”
Boise State’s focus shifts to the CFP, where they will aim to take down one of college football’s powerhouses and continue their Cinderella story. Meanwhile, UNLV will use this season as a springboard, hoping to build on the foundation laid by Odom.
The Broncos’ journey has captivated college football fans, and with a potent mix of Jeanty’s record-breaking talent and a ferocious defense, they are primed to make noise on the sport’s biggest stage.
