Instant analysis: Boise State refuses to commit to running game in championship loss
Final score: Fresno State 28, Boise State 16
Records: Boise State 9-4, 8-1 Mountain West. Fresno State 9-4, 8-1.
Why the Broncos lost: Boise State would not commit to the running game, even though the Broncos averaged 5.3 yards a carry in the first half, and special teams blunders came back to haunt the Mountain Division champions.
Boise State led 3-0 in the second quarter when Fresno State’s Nikko Remigio returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown. It was the fourth special teams touchdown the Broncos have given up this season. The Bulldogs later had to punt while clinging to a five-point lead in the fourth quarter, but a roughing the kicker penalty kept the drive alive. A few plays later, quarterback Jake Haener found Zane Pope on a 22-yard touchdown pass that put the Bulldogs up 21-9.
Main takeaway: Boise State dominated the game in the stat book, but it didn’t play out that way on the field. The Broncos had 321 yards to 245 for Fresno, and found some success on the ground, but they just wouldn’t stick to it. The combination of George Holani, Ashton Jeanty and Elelyon Noa averaged 5.3 yards a carry in the first half. Still, Taylen Green (17-of-38, 175 yards, TD) attempted more passes on Saturday than in any other game this season. He also picked a bad time to look like a freshman. Green never got comfortable in the pocket, overthrew several open receivers and was intercepted twice. Fresno State turned both interceptions into TD drives.
Boise State had a chance to move ahead of TCU, BYU and Utah for the most Mountain West championships in conference history. Instead, they all remain tied with four.
Player of the game: Fresno State cornerback Cam Lockridge intercepted Green twice, and the Bulldogs turned the turnovers into 14 points. Jordan Mims scored rushing touchdowns following both takeaways.
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Stat of the game: Green had two picks and had not thrown an interception since Boise State’s win at Air Force on Oct. 22. The redshirt freshman has thrown 12 touchdowns and six interceptions in nine starts this season.
Play of the game: After a scoreless first quarter, Fresno State got on the scoreboard with the 70-yard punt return touchdown by Remigio. It was the second true punt return for a TD the Broncos yielded this season. They also had a blocked punt returned for a touchdown and gave up a kickoff return for a touchdown.
What’s next: Boise State is bowl-eligible for the 25th consecutive season. That’s the third-longest active streak in the country. Bowl matchups will be announced on Sunday.
