Instant analysis: No second-half lull as Boise State gets back in the win column
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Boise State 28, Colorado State 19
Boise State’s offense made key plays and its defense got stingy at the goal line as the Broncos overcame a slow start and outscored the Rams 21-3 in the second half.
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Second-half surge leads Boise State to crucial Mountain West win at Colorado State
One of Boise State fans’ favorite positions had a breakthrough moment on Saturday night
Instant analysis: No second-half lull as Boise State gets back in the win column
Final: Boise State 28, Colorado State 19; Broncos rally in second half for victory
Final score: Boise State 28, Colorado State 19
Records: Boise State 4-4, 2-2. Colorado State 3-5, 2-2.
Why the Broncos won: Boise State’s offense got hot when it needed to, and the defense bent but didn’t break. The Broncos didn’t score a point until the final 2 minutes of the first half, but they outscored Colorado State 21-3 in the second half. Quarterback Hank Bachmeier threw three touchdown passes, including a 51-yard strike to tight end Tyneil Hopper in the fourth quarter, and Oregon transfer Cyrus Habibi-Likio returned to lead the offense with 61 rushing yards.
Colorado State’s offense had little trouble moving the ball most of the night. The Rams racked up 381 yards in the game, but Boise State’s defense forced them to settle for field goals in the red zone four times. Colorado State drove inside the Broncos’ 5-yard line and came away with just three points three times.
Main takeaway: Boise State’s offense still has some work to do, but the Broncos didn’t suffer from the second-half lull that has cursed them in so many games this season. They trailed 16-7 at halftime, but the Broncos came out of the locker room with a game plan that included a heavy dose of running back George Holani, who made his return after missing two games, and some creative play calls in the red zone. That’s growth from a coaching staff that has shouldered plenty of criticism this season, and while the Broncos still have a mountain to climb if they’re going to make it back to the conference championship game, that growth should give Boise State fans hope for the future.
Player of the game: Boise State wide receiver Octavius Evans. The fifth-year senior made a diving catch in the end zone to score the Broncos’ first points of the game with a 9-yard touchdown in the second quarter. He also benefited from a great play call in the second half and scored the Broncos’ first points of the second half. After Bachmeier faked a handoff, he pitched the ball back to Evans, who was streaking across the formation, and he cruised into the end zone untouched on a 13-yard touchdown run that cut Colorado State’s lead to 16-14 early in the third quarter. Evans finished the game with four catches for 30 yards.
Stat of the game: Boise State put together two scoring drives that covered 97 yards. Both came after Colorado State’s Ryan Stonehouse pinned the Broncos inside their own 5-yard line.
Play of the game: Boise State drove to Colorado State’s 11-yard line late in the third quarter and took its first lead of the game thanks to a beautifully designed play. Bachmeier faked a handoff and flicked a quick pass to Stefan Cobbs in the flat and he scored to give the Broncos’ their first lead of the game.
What’s next: Boise State is back on the road next Saturday for a game at Fresno State. The Broncos are 15-7 all-time against the Bulldogs, but they haven’t played since the 2018 Mountain West championship game, which Fresno State won 19-16 in overtime.
This story was originally published October 30, 2021 at 9:00 PM.
