Boise State Sends Message to the Mountain West
Don't write us off just yet! That was part of the message the Boise State football team sent to the Mountain West and in particular, the San Diego State Aztecs.
Except for one drive and one big play the BSU defense shutdown the Aztec offense and star running back Rashaad Penny. Penny was held to 53 yards rushing well below his per game average of 160. Penny in fact had just 39 yards before San Diego State put together it's only offensive drive of the game which ended in a Penny 11 yard touchdown run.
Other than that there was no where for Penny to run or hide from the Boise State defense.
It wasn't only the defense that made a statement but the Bronco offense was there to answer when the Aztecs finally made a run. Boise State put together a 10 play drive that ended in a field goal to make it 24-7 after the Aztecs had closed the gap to 21-7.
Then when San Diego State made it 24-14 the Broncos engineered an 11 play drive taking some four minutes off the clock ending with a 4yd touchdown run by Alexander Mattison sealing the game 31-14 and sending most of the nearly 50,000 Aztec fans to the exits.
It was back to back road wins for Boise State at BYU and San Diego State, an unlikely scenario following a 2-2 start.
I mentioned the San Diego State game could be a season defining showdown for the Broncos and it's obvious they felt the same but now it's time to build on any momentum and confidence because Wyoming comes to town Saturday at 8:15. The Cowboys upset BSU in Laramie last year and are now 2-0 in conference play and 4-2 overall....just like Boise State.
Wyoming is coming off a 28-23 win at Utah State. Other Mountain West finals from Saturday saw Colorado State hold on to beat Nevada 44-42, Air Force outlasted UNLV 34-30, Fresno State Blanked New Mexico 38-0 and Hawaii outscored San Jose State 37-26.