How did the Broncos reach the College Football Playoffs? These five moments stand out
In every run to the playoffs or to postseason glory, there’s usually a handful of moments you can point to and say, “That was so important, that made a difference.”
Boise State had a few of those so far this season, and is hoping for more.
After finishing the 2023 campaign with a coaching change and 8-6 record, including a loss in the LA Bowl, expectations for 2024 probably covered quite a range for the Broncos.
But thanks to weekly heroics from junior running back and Heisman Trophy finalist Ashton Jeanty, a defense that got better and better, and a culture that produced great team chemistry under first-year head coach Spencer Danielson, the Broncos likely exceeded even the wildest of those expectations.
Boise State (12-1) was perfect in Mountain West play, won the conference championship for the second year in a row and qualified for the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff. The Broncos secured the No. 3 seed and a first-round bye, and will play the winner of No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 11 SMU in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31.
So, what were those moments throughout the season that helped Boise State get to this place?
Announcing his presence with authority
Jeanty and the Broncos put the nation on alert in late August on their second offensive drive of the season at Georgia Southern. Taking a handoff from Maddux Madsen, Jeanty glided through a gap created by the offensive line and into open space for a 77-yard rushing touchdown.
It would be his first of six touchdowns in the game, and he rushed for 267 yards. He struck a Heisman pose, and already there was Heisman buzz.
Jeanty’s heroics were needed, too. He scored six of the Broncos’ eight touchdowns that day — freshman running back Sire Gaines had the other two — as Boise State beat Georgia Southern 56-45.
Yes, even a loss can make a difference
It’s not often that a loss can work in a team’s favor, but it’s hard to argue that the only blemish on Boise State’s record wound up being beneficial in an evaluation of the team’s season.
Oregon, which finished the year ranked No. 1 and as the nation’s only undefeated team at 13-0, beat the Broncos 37-34 in the second game of the year on a last-second field goal.
Special teams gaffes robbed Boise State of what could have been a landmark win. Oregon returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown and a kickoff 100 yards for a score.
The close loss and Oregon’s continued success allowed Boise State to justify its lofty status as the season wore on and the Broncos kept winning.
Winning a tight championship game preview
Although far from confirmed then, late October’s matchup between UNLV and Boise State in Las Vegas was expected to be a preview of the Mountain West championship game. And that’s what happened.
Boise State defeated UNLV 44-20 in the 2023 Mountain West title game. With both teams entering October’s matchup undefeated in conference play, the winner would put itself in the driver’s seat for hosting the 2024 final.
UNLV entered the fourth quarter with a 24-23 lead in front of a record home crowd. A one-yard Jeanty touchdown gave the Broncos a 29-24 lead, and after a huge defensive stop, the offense put together an 8-minute drive to run out the clock and end the game.
It was a pure gut-check game for Boise State, which had been blowing teams out. Jeanty even hurt his left elbow, but returned with a protective sleeve and kept slamming into the physical Rebels defense.
Avoiding disaster at high altitude
Long-time Boise State fans are accustomed to slip-ups that can taint an otherwise outstanding season. The 34-31 overtime loss to Nevada in 2010 still hits hard all these years later.
Boise State’s November trip to Wyoming almost entered that territory.
The Cowboys were 2-8 going into the game but led the Broncos 13-10 deep into the fourth quarter. To make matters worse, Jeanty picked up an ankle injury in the third quarter that forced him to miss a couple of series. During those drives, the Broncos looked devoid of ideas.
Then Jeanty came back in for a fourth-quarter drive. He had rushes of 15, 20 and 15 yards as part of an eight-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by a 2-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back Jambres Dubar. A 17-13 win was earned and the playoff hopes were kept alive.
Mountain West championship game’s first half
Things were pretty clear-cut. The winner of the second Boise State-UNLV matchup would make the playoffs and the loser would be relegated to one of the umpteen other bowl games, perhaps played on a Thursday night.
Boise State sprinted to a 21-0 lead by halftime, with its defense completely frustrating the Rebels and Jeanty sending Albertsons Stadium into chaos with a 75-yard touchdown run in the final minute of the second quarter. He ended the game with 209 yards on 32 carries.
Boise State punted on five second-half drives, but it didn’t matter. The impressive start and a stout defensive effort that forced UNLV to turn the ball over on downs twice meant the deal was done. The Broncos didn’t have to worry too much about a second half in which they accumulated just 127 yards of offense.
This story was originally published December 12, 2024 at 12:07 PM.
