Boise State continued its unbeaten run against FCS opponents on Saturday night, edging South Dakota 38-24 in a game that tested the Broncos’ resolve. The victory marked the narrowest margin of triumph over an FCS team since 2005.
Game Flow and Key Plays
The Broncos opened the contest with a sluggish start, appearing “like they’d popped a melatonin before kickoff,” as the crowd noted. A costly fumble by senior running back Dylan Riley in the red zone set up a 16‑yard touchdown pass from redshirt freshman quarterback Austyn Modrzewski.
Both teams traded scores, and the game was tied at 14‑14 when junior defensive back Travis Anderson intercepted a deep pass. “[Travis] is probably the hardest worker in practice on the team,” senior edge rusher Max Stege said. “Success leaves clues and when you watch [Travis], the way he works every day, it’s no surprise to me that he’s the man of the moment.” Anderson’s pick shifted momentum, and Boise State took a 21‑14 lead late in the second quarter.
After halftime, the Broncos extended the lead to 31‑21 before South Dakota rallied to tie it at 24‑24. A muffed punt by junior receiver Cam Bates deep in Boise territory gave the Broncos a chance, but a fourth‑and‑nine pass from Modrzewski fell incomplete, leading to a turnover on downs.
Boise State answered immediately when Riley broke free for an 83‑yard touchdown run, putting the Broncos ahead for good.
Standout Performances
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Rasean Jones emerged as a bright spot, catching eight passes for 95 yards and his first receiving touchdown in a Boise State uniform. “I just got in the end zone, I was just looking up at the fans and it was cool to see everybody supporting the Broncos,” Jones said.
On defense, Anderson added two more interceptions, bringing his season total to three and sealing the win with a game‑ending pick inside the two‑minute mark.
Coach Danielson’s Outlook
Head coach Spencer Danielson acknowledged the team’s imperfections but remained optimistic. “Obviously tonight, there’s a lot of stuff we need to clean up,” he said. “But I do believe we’re building. There’s gonna be a lot of things that have to get fixed, but I do believe we’re building.”
The Broncos will look to tighten up execution as they continue their schedule, hoping to maintain their perfect record against FCS competition.
Original reporting: 580 KIDO Talk Radio (Boise) — read the source article.
