All that led to clinching an appearance in the Mountain West title game for the seventh time.
The Broncos will be seeking their fourth title this Saturday in Las Vegas, taking on the UNLV Rebels (9-3, 6-2). The matchup is in part thanks to the computer rankings placing Boise State higher than the San Jose State Spartans; a determination needed when all teams finished 6-2 in conference after the Spartans defeated the Rebels last Saturday.
After a loss to Fresno State, all seemed lost for the Broncos in finishing in the top two in the conference. Thanks to some help from New Mexico and Hawaii, the improbable happened. Even more generous considering the Broncos fired head coach Andy Avalos after a resounding victory over New Mexico.
Amid a coaching search, interim head coach Spencer Danielson has fired up the Boise State team, bringing renewed optimism after two victories to close the regular season. Whether Danielson ultimately is named head coach or not, Boise State is likely best served going forward by keeping him on the staff. Especially if he and the Broncos bring home another title Saturday.
Boise State Broncos on the rise
A win-loss record of 7-5 is not exactly something to write home about when standards are 10-win seasons around these parts. Still, the Broncos were 1-2 plays away in four losses from being 11-1 and had plenty of offensive firepower to carry this season's team at times.
That starts at the top with Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year Ashton Jeanty.
The sophomore running back had a season for the ages and is considered one of the top backs (if not best) in the nation. Playing in ten games, Jeanty rushed for 1109 yards and added another 537 receiving (on 37 receptions). Jeanty scored 18 touchdowns and was a threat to score every time he touched the ball.
Jeanty's skill was on full display in last Friday's 27-19 victory over Air Force, scoring on a 75-yard screen pass and 50-yard run. Jeanty finished with 225 scrimmage yards, punctuating an excellent regular season.
Jeanty was part of a rushing attack that was solid all year. The Broncos rushed for 787 yards in the last three games, including a whopping 352 against Utah State.
George Holani rushed for 182 yards and two touchdowns that game. Though not the season he expected, playing in only six games so far, Holani has rushed for 534 yards and five touchdowns.
Four players rushed for at least 300 total yards this season for the Broncos, including quarterback Taylen Green. Green, who split much of the conference season with Maddux Madsen, has 344 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
Leaps were expected in the passing game for Green, who has taken over again as starter for Boise State after Madsen suffered a season-ending injury against New Mexico. Passing has been serviceable by Green, just not the improvement expected. Perhaps the expectations were too high or the coaching not up to par in that regard. Either way, Green is still an explosive asset who completed 55.3 percent of his passes, with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions.
One of the positive developments in the last two games has been the re-integration of getting the tight ends involved. For years, this position was an important part of the Broncos passing game and it's fantastic to see them involved again.
Overall, the Broncos averaged 32 points per game, scoring 30 or more in nine straight games at one point. The firepower will be needed to compensate for a subpar Bronco defense, to balance against an UNLV team who can put up points with the best of them.
UNLV riding a special season
The Boise State defense has had its moments, and there have been individual efforts worth of mention. Alexander Teubner leads the team with 63 tackles and Ahmed Hassanein has been a force on the defensive line with 12 sacks.
Linebacker Andrew Simpson has been special, too, with 59 tackles and 15 tackles for loss.
Boise State is solid against the run, allowing 127.2 yards per game. It's in the passing game where the Broncos struggle, allowing nearly 255 yards per game. And they will be tested by a Rebels team locked in through the air.
Primarily, it's a freshman quarterback connecting with two solid receivers Boise State needs to keep an eye on.
Jayden Maiava has taken the reins and completed 64 percent of his passes this season. Maiava has thrown for 2628 yards, 14 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Two receivers dominate the stat lines for the Rebels, hauling in 57.9 percent of the receptions for UNLV this season. Ricky White III has 75 for 1300 yards and seven touchdowns, while Jacob DeJesus has 46 for 456 and two scores (and also a threat in the return game).
This isn't to say UNLV doesn't run the ball. The Rebels have 36 rushing touchdowns this season and have a trio of players who can produce, keeping legs fresh.
UNLV enters the game averaging 35.6 points per game. In five of their first six games this season, the Rebels scored 40+ points, making up for a defense allowing 25.6 points per game.
Jackson Woodard has 104 tackles and Jaxen Turner has four interceptions for UNLV.
Boise State faced a difficult uphill battle in getting to this game and UNLV is having a spectacular season by their program's standards. Either could walk away victorious in this game but it will be Boise State's running game that shines, outlasting UNLV's passing attack in a 31-24 Bronco victory.
Boise State @ UNLV. December 2 at 3 p.m. (EST) on Fox.
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