Final: Boise State 37, New Mexico 0; Broncos score on pair of blocked punts
READ MORE
Boise State 37, New Mexico 0
Boise State scored two first-half touchdowns on blocked punts and got more than 100 rushing yards out of running back George Holani for the third week in a row in a shutout of New Mexico.
Expand All
Blocked punts, stifling defense give Boise State blowout win in ‘special’ home finale
Instant analysis: Special teams, defense dominate as Boise State stays in conference race
In farewell home game, this Boise State receiver climbed up lists of all-time greats
‘Unbelievable message’: Female official works Boise State football game vs. New Mexico
Final: Boise State 37, New Mexico 0; Broncos score on pair of blocked punts
Unusual plays and stats were the story of the night for Boise State football.
Playing their home finale, the Broncos (7-4, 5-2 Mountain West) shined on defense and special teams, and got 100-yard games from their two offensive stars to romp to a 37-0 win over New Mexico (3-8, 1-6).
Boise State blocked two punts in the first half and returned both for touchdowns on the way to registering the team’s first shutout since 2015, when the Broncos beat Hawaii 55-0. They also had a 52-0 win over Idaho State earlier in that season.
Boise State’s defense held the Lobos to 101 yards of total offense. Their two stalwarts on offense exceeded that by themselves: Running back George Holani rushed for 114 yards and receiver Khalil Shakir had seven catches for 116 yards, including a long TD reception on the final play of the first half.
The Broncos’ quarterbacks completed only 12 passes on the night — backup Jack Sears was 1-of-3 after replacing Hank Bachmeier in the fourth quarter — but the team ran the ball 44 times for 239 yards.
SCORING SUMMARY
First quarter
BSU — Tyreque Jones 7-yard blocked punt return (Jonah Dalmas kick), 12:33. Key plays: The Lobos were whistled for a false start on their first play from scrimmage. After forcing a three-and-out, Kekaula Kaniho blocked New Mexico’s punt attempt, and Jones gathered the football and ran it in for the score. Boise State 7, New Mexico 0
BSU — Dalmas 27 field goal, 0:13. Key plays: After another three-and-out for the Lobos, the Broncos got good field position, starting on the New Mexico 45. George Holani started the drive off with a 12-yard carry, and Khalil Shakir added a 10-yard reception two plays later to bring the Broncos to the 18-yard line. The drive stalled on the 8, however, after a false start. Drive: 11 plays, 35 yards, 5:15. Boise State 10, New Mexico 0
Second quarter
BSU — Dylan Herberg 6 blocked punt return (Dalmas kick), 13:39. Key plays: The Boise State defense forced a third straight three-and-out, and the Broncos managed a second touchdown on special teams thanks to a blocked punt by Alex Teubner. Boise State 17, New Mexico 0
BSU — Khalil Shakir 56 pass from Hank Bachmeier (Dalmas kick), :00. Key plays: Shane Irwin forced a strip-sack of New Mexico QB Connor Genal, and Boise State safety JL Skinner recovered to give the Broncos the ball with 17 seconds left. Drive: 2 plays, 56 yards, 0:17. Boise State 24, New Mexico 0
Third quarter
BSU — Dalmas 46 field goal, 6:13. Key plays: The Broncos failed to convert on third-and-2 from the New Mexico 29-yard line, and center Jake Stetz was injured on the play. Boise State opted to go for the field goal rather than chance it on fourth down. Drive: 9 plays, 35 yards, 3:45. Boise State 27, New Mexico 0
BSU — Dalmas 42 field goal, 1:03. Key plays: The Broncos thought they had a touchdown when Bachmeier hit receiver Billy Bowens with a 24-yard pass in the end zone. But after an official review, the call was overturned. The Broncos failed to convert — or score — on third down, settling for the field goal. Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 1:49. Boise State 30, New Mexico 0
Fourth quarter
BSU — Jack Sears 1 run (Dalmas kick), 10:48. Key plays: Sears completed a 42-yard bomb to Billy Bowens on third-and-14 from the 50. The Broncos later got a break on third-and-goal when the Lobos were called for pass interference. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 3:16. Boise State 37, New Mexico 0
WHERE TO FIND THE TV BROADCAST
Boise State will be on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) again this week. That’s channel 146 on Sparklight, 219 on DirecTV and 150 on Dish Network.
NEW MEXICO AT BOISE STATE
When: 7:15 p.m. Saturday
Where: Albertsons Stadium (36,387, turf)
TV: FS1 (Alex Faust, Petros Papadakis)
Radio: KBOI 670 AM/KTIK 93.1 FM (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender)
Records: Boise State 6-4, 4-2 MW; New Mexico 3-7, 1-5 MW
Series: Boise State is 10-1 against New Mexico, and the Broncos have won four straight in the series. The Broncos and Lobos didn’t play last season because of COVID-19.
Vegas line: Boise State by 27.5
Weather: 40 degrees at kickoff, 5% chance of rain, 4 mph winds
NEWS & NOTES
Officiating crew includes woman
The officiating crew for Boise State’s Mountain West contest against New Mexico includes one female official.
Krystle Apellaniz will serve as the center judge for Saturday’s game on The Blue.
Apellaniz was part of the first majority-female officiating crew to serve in an NCAA game in 2013 in the Division II Southern Intercollege Athletic Conference.
The rest of Saturday’s crew includes Mike Cuttone (referee), Ian Malepeai (umpire), Greg Downum (head line judge), Carlos Owens (line judge), Michael Aaronian (back judge), Trey Castleberry (field judge), Richard Corona (side judge), Richard Brown (replay official) and Reed Rinn (communicator).
Boise State misses just one starter
Boise State will be without just one starter at home tonight against New Mexico.
Center Will Farrar will miss his fourth straight game with an undisclosed injury. He’ll be replaced again by fifth-year senior Jake Stetz, which means Ben Dooley will be at right guard and Rice transfer Uzo Osuji will start at right tackle.
Redshirt sophomore tight end Tyler Eiguren was also out.
The Broncos don’t have any players out because of COVID-19 protocols, according to a spokesperson for the program.
Broncos, city of Boise team up for shooting victims
The Boise State football team and the city of Boise are teaming up to help raise funds for the victims of the shooting at the Boise Towne Square mall on Oct. 25.
Boise State has printed an additional 5,000 “City of Boise” helmet stickers, which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the marketing table in front of the Allen Noble Hall of Fame prior to Saturday’s 7:15 p.m. kickoff against New Mexico.
The Broncos debuted the helmet sticker against Colorado State on Oct. 30 and will wear it through the remainder of the season to honor their community and those affected by the shooting, which left two dead and several injured.
The city of Boise has set up a community resources page, which includes links to Go Fund Me accounts for the memorial funds of shooting victims Jo Acker, a security guard at the mall, and Roberto Padilla Arguelles.
The page will be linked to a QR code in front of the marketing table. Simply snap the QR code with your mobile phone before entering the stadium and receive one of the stickers that the Broncos are wearing on their helmets. While no donation is required, members of the community are encouraged to use the QR code to help support the community healing efforts.
Quick hits
The Broncos wore blue jerseys, blue pants and blue helmets. ... Team captains Khalil Shakir and Kekaula Kaniho were joined by left tackle John Ojukwu and safety Tyreque Jones as game captains. ... Boise State won the coin toss and deferred. ... Boise State was led onto the field by running back Andrew Van Buren, who carried the Dan Paul Hammer. ... Cornerback Kaonohi Kaniho carried the American flag and long snapper Daniel Cantrell carried the Bleed Blue flag. ... With Saturday’s announced attendance of 28,452, Boise State averaged 34,681 fans at home games this season. That’s No. 2 all-time at BSU. ... Ten of New Mexico’s 21 running plays in the first half went for 0 or negative yardage. ... Shakir had six catches for 112 yards in the first half. That’s his 10th career 100-yard receiving game, which moves him into a tie with Titus Young for No. 5 all-time at BSU.
THIS WEEK’S COVERAGE
Keys to victory, betting line, predictions for Boise State’s home game vs. New Mexico
Ask a New Mexico writer: Lobos’ unique defense, tricky rushing game next for Boise State
‘It’s not about me’: This Boise State running back embraces his role, excels in red zone
Boise State will honor 24 seniors on Saturday — many of whom might return next season
A former Boise State assistant is out at Washington. Another will serve as interim coach
Idaho ties in the NFL: Boise State grad enjoys career day; Highland High alum makes debut
This story was originally published November 20, 2021 at 5:00 PM.
