Transfers shine, next group of RBs impress in Boise State spring game
Boise State football held its annual spring game on Saturday afternoon, with several thousand fans showing up at Albertsons Stadium to watch the Broncos’ offense secure a 45-27 victory over the defense.
The Broncos offense put on a balanced showing, passing for 155 yards and rushing for 136. Moving into the post-Ashton Jeanty era, head coach Spencer Danielson said on Saturday that he plans for the offense in 2025 to be a 50/50 balance between passing and running.
Here’s what we learned from Saturday’s game, plus stats from some key performers.
How did the running game look?
Sophomore Dylan Riley was one of several running backs who impressed on Saturday, scoring two touchdowns to lead a running back room that he described as “really hot.”
Riley ended the game with just 20 rushing yards, but he had a 47-yard touchdown run chalked off because of a holding call. He still capped that drive off with a 2-yard touchdown run and was used extensively in the red zone.
“Dylan Riley has had a really good spring,” Danielson said. “And what is sometimes overlooked, he’s had a great spring offensively, but he’s going to be an impact player for us on our special teams unit too.”
Riley had nine carries, tying with junior Jambres Dubar (41 yards) for the most in the game.
However, the most exciting moment of the day came from sixth-year Malik Sherrod, a recent transfer to the program from Fresno State. Sherrod opened the scoring with a 65-yard touchdown, weaving through the defense before breaking into the open backfield.
Sherrod ended with 76 rushing yards off just three carries, as well as four receiving yards on one catch.
“He’s an explosive player, and he’s even going to be a more explosive player on punt return and kickoff return,” Danielson said. “Very excited where he’s at.”
Who’s winning the battle for QB2?
Redshirt junior Maddux Madsen doesn’t face any competition for the starting quarterback role this spring, but there’s plenty of competition to be his backup.
Five Broncos, including Madsen, had snaps on The Blue on Saturday. Redshirt freshman Kaleb Annett was the most active quarterback on the day, throwing for 77 yards and a touchdown on a 6-for-10 throwing performance.
While Annett got most of the action on Saturday — redshirt sophomore Max Cutforth made five throws and junior Jack Benson made six — Danielson said the competition for QB2 is still up in the air.
“Going into summertime, we’re going to either make a decision on who our No. 2 and our No. 3 is,” Danielson said, “or we’re going to go into summer saying, ‘Hey, we’re still going to compete all the way up until fall camp.’”
Bronco fans also got a first look at incoming freshman Zeke Martinez, who’ll graduate from Meridian High School this spring. Martinez went 0-for-2 throwing, but he had a six-yard rushing touchdown late in the game.
New faces on defense
There were significant questions about the Broncos’ defense heading into the spring, with several starting positions up for grabs.
Redshirt junior Jake Ripp has been at the center of those conversations. Ripp is originally a linebacker but spent parts of last year playing edge. However, with Andrew Simpson having entered the transfer portal, Ripp is back in the running to earn the starting spot at linebacker.
He played both positions on Saturday and had a game-high two sacks for nine yards. Danielson said the plan is for him to primarily play inside linebacker, a position Ripp said he’s most comfortable in.
“I played a couple of years here at linebacker, and going back just felt natural,” Ripp said. “I think it helped that I got to work with the edge room and work on my pass rush and perfect that. But going back to linebacker was just a smooth fit for me.”
Redshirt junior defensive lineman David Latu, a transfer from BYU, also impressed on Saturday. The Broncos are looking for a replacement for Braxton Fely, who also entered the transfer portal. Following Saturday’s game, Danielson said Latu will be a “big time defensive lineman for us.”
Key stats
Passing
Maddux Madsen — 4-for-7, 35 yards
Max Cutforth — 2-for-5, 19 yards
Kaleb Annett — 6-for-10, 77 yards, 1 touchdown
Jack Benson — 1-for-2, 24 yards
Receiving
AJ Maes — 3 receptions, 55 yards
Cam Bates — 2 receptions, 31 yards, 1 touchdown
Mitch Bothwell — 2 receptions, 27 yards
Ben Ford — 2 receptions, 20 yards
Rushing
Malik Sherrod — 3 carries, 76 yards, 1 touchdown
Jambres Dubar — 9 carries, 41 yards
Seth Knothe — 8 carries, 28 yards
Dylan Riley — 9 carries, 20 yards, 2 touchdowns
Zeke Martinez — 2 carries, 6 yards, 1 touchdown
Defense
Jake Ripp — 4 tackles, 2 sacks
Michael Madrie — 3 tackles, 0.5 sack, 1 pass breakup
Ty Benefield — 1 tackle, 1 sack
Mason Jacobsen — 3.5 tackles, 1 sack
