No. 12 Boise State holds off stubborn Wyoming 17-13 and advances to the Mountain West title game
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No. 12 Boise State holds off stubborn Wyoming 17-13 and advances to the Mountain West title game

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) – Ashton Jeanty rushed for 169 yards and a touchdown to lead No. 12 Boise State to a 17-13 win over Wyoming on Saturday night and a berth in the Mountain West Conference title game.

The Broncos (10-1 overall, 7-0) will play in the conference championship game for the seventh time in the last eight seasons against an opponent that will be determined and have kept their College Football Playoff hopes alive. Boise State was the tentative No. 4 in the playoffs in this week’s rankings.

Boise State finished the Mountain West undefeated, extended its winning streak to nine games and beat Wyoming (2-9, 2-5) for the eighth straight time, dating back to 2016.

“I’m proud of our guys, and knowing this team and knowing our heart, we’re not done yet,” Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said. “We have a big opponent that we have to be ready for in Oregon State and whoever we play in the championship game. We have to go and earn the right to play our best.

“I couldn’t tell you the last time we won back-to-back championships, I know it’s not in my time. We know whoever we’re playing, we’re going to get their best and we’ve got to be ready, but right now is we locked down and focused on Oregon State.

Entering as a heavy underdog, Wyoming gave the Broncos plenty of trouble, holding a 13-10 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

But Boise State’s Jambres Dubar scored on a 2-yard run with just over five minutes to play and the Broncos defense came up with one last stop to seal the victory.

Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen was 14 for 25 passing for 168 yards.

Wyoming used a pair of quarterbacks. Kaden Anderson was 9 for 14 for 116 yards and a touchdown before he was knocked out of the game and placed in the concussion protocol before the start of the second half. Evan Svoboda took over and connected on 6 of 13 passes for 87 yards.

Led by Heisman candidate Jeanty, who surpassed 2,000 yards on the season and averaged 8.5 yards per carry, the Broncos outgained the Cowboys 353-319 in total yardage, despite going 1 for 10 on third down.

Jeanty went to the medical tent in the second half with an apparent lower-body injury, but he was back in the game after missing a drive.

“Ashton is a warrior,” Danielson said. “I’m going to keep hitting it. He’s been hitting. This is Game 11, Week 13 of the season, and he’s an absolute warrior who plays through getting beat. … We’ve got to be smart with his body and make sure we get him what he needs. In the last drive of the game he was ready to go. … He’s going to be fine.”

John Hoyland opened the scoring with a 54-yard field goal, giving the Cowboys an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter. Boise State’s Jonah Dalmas had a chance to tie the game with a 49-yard field goal on the ensuing drive, but his attempt missed wide left.

After Hoyland missed a 53-yard field goal attempt, Jeanty put the Broncos up 7-3 with a 61-yard touchdown run with 3:40 left in the first.

The Cowboys retook a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter when a four-play, 67-yard drive was capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass from Anderson to Justin Stevenson.

Boise State tacked on a 24-yard field goal from Dalmas as time expired in the first half, sending the teams into the break at 10.

After a scoreless third quarter, Hoyland put the Cowboys back in front with a 25-yard field goal. But, Boise State responded with an eight-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by Dubar’s touchdown.

It was likely the Broncos’ last trip to Wyoming, as Boise State will join the Pac-12 in 2026. Boise State leads the all-time series 18-1, with its lone loss coming against Josh Allen’s 2016 squad in Laramie.

“Give credit to Boise State,” Wyoming coach Jay Sawvel said. “They have a great football team and they have a great football program. We wish their entire organization the best going forward, and hopefully they can represent the Mountain West well in the playoffs. They’ve got to win a couple more games, and we’ll be rooting for them will do it. They have a lot of class and we wish them the best of luck.”

The takeaway

Boise State: Will likely maintain its No. 4 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings heading into its final regular-season game.

Wyoming: The Cowboys are in the midst of their worst season since 2015, when they finished 2-10.

Next

Boise State: Hosts Oregon State Friday night in its regular season finale.

Wyoming: Travels to No. 25 Washington State on Saturday.

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