Boise State Volleyball Team Stops San Diego State in Three Sets

BOISE, ID--Sierra Nobley and Sabryn Roberts led the Boise State volleyball team to a 25-19, 25-23, 25-16 win over San Diego State last night to extend the Broncos' home winning streak to 10.

Nobley had 13 kills and is now six kills shy of the 1,200-mark for her career. Roberts added 11 and led the Lady Broncos with a 47.6% hitting percentage.

“Sabryn loves playing at home,” Boise State head coach Shawn Garus said. “She played great. It wasn’t just her hitting. She blocked well and was a really scrappy player. She’s really maturing to someone we can count on night in and night out.”

After the Aztecs tied the opening set at 10, a Roberts kill spurred a Bronco rally of five unanswered points and a Nobley kill won the opening set.

San Diego State was more aggressive in the second set to open up a 15-11 lead. The Aztecs were in a position to win the set with a 23-21 lead but a Roberts kill and three consecutive attack errors by the visitors gave Boise State the win.

After Boise State took the lead 6-5 in the third set, they cruised to take the set and the match.

“It was big to win in our conference home opener,” Garus said. “We split last weekend on the road against two very good teams. If you can split on the road consistently and hold at home, you’re going to finish in the top of the conference and probably have a chance to win down the stretch.”

Boise State advanced its record to 11-5 overall and 2-1 in Mountain West Conference play.

Senior Maddy O'Donnell moved into 11th place all-time with six blocks and now has 313 in her career.

Boise State hosts Nevada Saturday at 2 p.m. in Bronco Gym prior to the football game with Utah State. Nevada comes into the battle with a record of 10-4 and 1-1 in MW action.

Fans who present their football ticket will receive free admission to the volleyball match.

Boise State Cross Country Team With The Top Two Runners in the Nation

http://www.flotrack.org/ranking/1486-boise-state-has-the-two-best-runners-in-the-ncaa-right-now/2016-09-25/div-i

Bronco Football Team #24 in Associated Press Poll

http://collegefootball.ap.org/poll

Boise State Football Team #27 in Coaches Poll

http://sportspolls.usatoday.com/ncaa/football/polls/coaches-poll/

Boise State Wilts in 2nd Half But Holds on for Win

CORVALLIS, OR--Jeremy McNichols ran for a career-high 208 yards (11th-highest total in Bronco history) and three touchdowns and caught a TD pass as Boise State survived a lackluster second half to down Oregon State 38-24 this afternoon.  It was the Broncos' fifth consecutive win over a Pac-12 opponent (Boise State is 10-3 vs. the Pac-12 since 2006) but its first-ever win in Corvallis in four tries.

After heading into the locker room ahead 31-7, the Boise State team may have thought they had an easy win.  Oh so wrong.

Oregon State head coach Gary Anderson fired up his team at halftime, sent a walk-on quarterback who joined the team June 28 into the game and then ordered a nifty onside kick to completely turn the game around and put a serious scare into Bronco fans.

Had it not been for linebacker Darren Lee's alert strip of wide receiver Seth Collins and 19-yard touchdown return late in the game, this one could have gotten much more interesting.  With less than four minutes remaining and Oregon State on its own 17 behind 31-17, Lee wrestled the ball away from Collins after a completion and headed into the end zone for Boise State's only highlight of the second half.

Victor Bolden, Jr. took the ensuing kickoff, however, and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown.  It didn't help that the umpire on the play completely screened Boise State's Raymond Ford from making the touchdown-saving tackle.

After the Beaver onside kick failed, McNichols revived a Bronco offense that totaled just 5 yards in the first 21 minutes of the second half.  With 3:21 left in the game, McNichols plowed through the OSU defense for 43 yards on five carries to salt away the game, and the Broncos ran out the clock.

Boise State opened the game by marching 75 yards into the end zone, helped by a 28-yard run by Akilian Butler on a double reverse and a 16-yard dash by McNichols off the Broncos' famous Statue of Liberty play.  McNichols carried it in five yards for the 7-0 lead.

A kickoff return gave the Beavers the ball on the Bronco 41, and with the help of a 15-yard personal foul penalty on Boise State, OSU answered with Ryan Nall taking it in for a 14-yard run to tie the score.

Three possessions later, the Broncos moved it 73 yards for a score, with McNichols finding the end zone again from six yards out, and the Broncos led 14-7.

The Boise State defense stiffened, and Rypien led the Broncos on an 11-play, 90-yard drive, firing complete to Thomas Sperbeck for 26 yards, Chaz Anderson for 20 and Sperbeck again for 13.  Three plays later, Rypien found McNichols in the right flank, and McNichols sprinted towards the sideline, diving and reaching the ball for the pylon and a 21-7 Boise State lead.

The Bronco defense held again, leading to a 70-yard touchdown by McNichols and a 21-point Bronco advantage.  

Boise State drove the ball 80 yards on its next possession with 31 and 27-yard pass plays from Rypien to Sperbeck highlighting the drive.  Tyler Rausa booted a 29-yard field goal as time ran out in the half.

It was total domination in the first half by a Bronco team that showed what it was capable of.  They had churned out 435 yards of total offense to just 57 for Oregon State in the stanza.

But Anderson chewed out his team at halftime and the Beaver team that came out in the second half was not the one responsible for those first half statistics. And the OSU fortunes now rested on walk-on signal-caller Conor Blount.  Blount, who initially committed to walk on at Wisconsin and then changed his mind in May, came to Oregon State in June.  

After a change of possessions, Boise State had the Beavers pinned down on their own 5.  But a suddenly-inspired OSU offensive line opened holes for the Beaver ground game that simply weren't there in the game's first 30 minutes.  Blount led the Beavers on a 14-play drive to make the score Boise State 31, Oregon State 14.  

Anderson further fired up his team and the home crowd by electing to have placekicker Adley Rutschman tap the ball on the kickoff, running with it as it tumbled downfield.  The shocked Broncos watched from their side as Rutschman fell on the ball after it traveled the required 10 yards.

The Beavers advanced the ball to the Bronco 23, but were forced to send Garrett Owens in to kick a 41-yard field goal to make it 31-17.

But the suddenly cold Boise State offense generated successive drives of just five yards, a negative three and zero to keep the Beavers in the game.

Luckily for the Broncos, the Boise State defense held its ground as well and with 9:11 left, the Bronco offense finally got untracked, gaining 40 yards before having to punt it.  

Wales got off a beauty, pinning Oregon State back on its 4 after a Beaver block in the back penalty.  Blount hit Seth Collins with a first down to the OSU 17 on first down, but after the completion to Collins on second down, Lee alertly stripped the ball and was headed to the end zone.

It was the second consecutive game in which Boise State opened up a big lead on a Pac-12 opponent and let them back into the game.  The Broncos grabbed a 31-14 lead over Washington State two weeks ago only to hang on by their fingernails for a 31-28 victory.

McNichols' career- day allowed him to pass David Hughes (1,826 yards from 1977-1980), Chris Jackson (1,805 in 1986-87) and Eron Hurley (1,697 from 1995-98) for 14th place in career rushing at Boise State.  McNichols now has 1,868 in two years and three games and is 21 behind Lee Marks (2002-05) for 13th.

McNichols is now tied for current Tampa Bay starting running back Doug Martin for fifth in 150-yard rushing games with five.  McNichols, who also caught four passes for 26 yards and a touchdown, moved into a tie for seventh all-time with his third game of 200 or more all-purpose yards.  He extended his Mountain West Conference record streak of rushing for a touchdown in 15 straight games.

Sperbeck tied Mike Holton (1972, 1974-1976) and Don Hutt (1970-1973) for second place with his 11th career 100-yard receiving game.

Rypien was accurate on 19-of-36 passes for 215 yards and a score and passed former Bronco great Eric Guthrie (1968-1971) for 11th place on the career passing yardage list (see tables at conclusion of this article.)  Rypien tied Jim McMillan (1971-1974) for seventh in 200+ passing games and also vaulted from 13th to 9th in the Boise State record book for career completions.  Sperbeck led the Broncos with six receptions for 104 yards.

Boise State continued its streak of perfect journeys into the red zone--the Broncos have now scored on 11 of 11 trips in 2016 with eight touchdowns.

Blount finished 10-of-18 for 136 yards in his relief of Beaver starter Darell Garretson while Nall gained 66 yards and scored twice on 14 carries to lead the OSU running attack.  Collins topped the 100-yard receiving mark with eight receptions for 104 yards. 

Boise State advanced to 3-0 with the win while Oregon State is now 1-2.  The Broncos entertain Utah State next Saturday night at 8:15 with memories of an eight-turnover, 26-point loss to the Aggies last year still ricocheting in their heads.

************************

Rushing Yards, Game

1.    Cedric Minter (261) vs. Northern Michigan, 1978

2.    Eron Hurley (254) vs. Idaho, 1998

3.    Ian Johnson (240) vs. Oregon State, 2006

4.    David Mikell (235) vs. Idaho, 2003
5.    Jay Ajayi (229) vs. Utah State, 2014
6.    Jay Ajayi (222) vs. Nevada, 2013
7.    Jay Ajayi (219) vs. Colorado State, 2014

8.    Brock Forsey (212) vs. Central Michigan, 2001

9.    Willie Bowens (211) vs. Northeastern, 1993

10.  Cedric Minter (210) vs. Cal Poly-SLO, 1977
11.  Jeremy McNichols (208) vs. Oregon State, 2016

11.  Brock Forsey (208) vs. Tulsa, 2002

11.  Cedric Minter (208) vs. Montana State, 1978

14.  Ian Johnson (205) vs. Nevada, 2007

14. Terry Zahner (205 vs. Northern Arizona, 1977

16.  Cedric Minter (201) vs. Cal Poly-SLO, 1979
17.  Doug Martin (200) vs. Colorado State, 2011

17.  Chris Thomas (200) vs. Weber State, 1988

Career Rushing Yards

1.    Cedric Minter (4,475) 1977-1980
2.    Ian Johnson (4,183) 2005-2008
3.    Brock Forsey (4,045) 1999-2002
4.    Jay Ajayi (3,796) 2012-2014
5.    Chris Thomas (3,437) 1987-1991
6.    Doug Martin (3,431) 2008-2011
7.    Rodney Webster (3,034) 1980-1983
8.    Jeremy Avery (2,932) 2007-2010
9.    D.J. Harper (2,779) 2007-2012
10.  David Mikell (2,268) 2000-2003
11.  Jon Francis (2,172) 1984-1985
12.  Terry Zahner (2,052) 1977-1980
13.  Lee Marks (1,889) 2002-2005
14.  Jeremy McNichols (1,868) 2014-current
15.  David Hughes (1,826) 1977-1980
16.  Chris Jackson (1,805) 1986-1987
17.  Eron Hurley (1,697) 1995-1998
18.  John Smith (1,623) 1972-1975
19.  Fred Goode (1,581) 1975-1978

20.  K.C. Adams (1,275) 1994

Career 150-Yard Rushing Games

1.    Cedric Minter (8) 1977-1980
1.    Brock Forsey (8) 1999-2002
3.    Jay Ajayi (8) 2012-2014
4.    Ian Johnson (5) 2005-2008
5.    Doug Martin (4) 2010-2011
5.    Jeremy McNichols (4) 2014-current
7.    Rodney Webster (3) 1980-1983
7.    Chris Jackson (3) 1986-1987
7.    Chris Thomas (3) 1987-1991
10.  Jon Francis (2) 1984-1985
10.  K.C. Adams (2) 1994
10.  Eron Hurley (2) 1995-1999
10.  Jeremy Avery (2) 2007-2010
10.  D.J. Harper (2) 2007-2012

Career 200+ Yards All-Purpose Yards:

1.    Brock Forsey (8) 1999-2002

2.    Jay Ajayi (6) 2012-2014

3.    K.C. Adams (4) 1994

3.    Chris Jackson (4) 1986-1987

3.    Cedric Minter (4) 1977-1980

3.    Doug Martin (4) 2008-2011

7.    Jeremy McNichols (3) 2014-current

7.    Ryan Ikebe (3) 1993-1996

7.    Winky White (3) 1987-1990

Career 100+ Yards Receiving Games:

1.    Ryan Ikebe (13) 1993-1996

2.    Thomas Sperbeck (11) 2013-current

2.    Mike Holton (11) 1974/1974-1976

2.    Don Hutt (11) 1970-1973

5.    Titus Young (10) 2007-2010

6.    Tyler Shoemaker (8) 2008-2011

6.    Austin Pettis (8) 2007-2010

6.    Lou Fanucchi (8) 1999-2002

6.    Mike Wilson (8) 1990-1993

6.    Terry Hutt (8) 1973-1974/1976-1977

11.  T.J. Acree (7) 2001-2004

11.  Rodney Smith (7) 1997-1998

11.  Kim Metcalf (7) 1980-1984

11.  Al Marshall (7) 1969-1971

11.  Matt Miller (7) 2011-2014

Career Passing Yards

1.  Kellen Moore (14,534) 2008-2011)
2.  Ryan Dinwiddie (9,819) 2000-2003
3.  Tony Hilde (9,107) 1993-1996
4.  Bart Hendricks (9,020) 1997-2000
5.  Jared Zabransky (8,256) 2003-2006
6.  Grant Hedrick (5,656) 2011-2014)
7.  Jim McMillan (5,508) 1971-1974
8.  Joe Southwick (4,784) 2010-2013
9.  Hazsen Choates (4,524) 1983-86
10.  Mike Virden (4,294) 1989-90
11.  Brett Rypien (4,214) 2015-current
12.  Eric Guthrie (4,204) 1968-71
13.  Taylor Tharp (3,699) 2004-2007
14.  Gerald DesPres (3,579) 1981-84
15.  Joe Aliotti (3,460) 1979-1980
16.  Travis Stuart (3,060) 1990-1992
17.  Vince Alcalde (2,930) 1986-1987 
18.  Greg Stern (2,865) 1973-1976
19.  Hoskin Hogan(2,814) 1975/1977-1978
20.  Ron Autele (2,794) 1970,1972-1973

Career Completions
1.    Kellen Moore (1,157) 2008-2011

2.    Bart Hendricks (650) 1997-2000
3.   Tony Hilde (629) 1993-1996
4.    Ryan Dinwiddie (622) 2000-2003
5.    Jared Zabransky (610) 2003-2006

7.    Grant Hedrick (475) 2011-2014

6.    Joe Southwick (439) 2010-2013

8.    Jim McMillan (382) 1971-1974

9.    Brett Rypien (333) 2015-current  
10.  Mike Virden (324) 1989-1990

11.  Taylor Tharp (321) 2004-2007
12.  Hazsen Choates (316) 1983-1986

13.  Gerald DesPres (281) 1981-1984

14.  Joe Aliotti (278) 1979-1980

15.  Eric Guthrie (275) 1968-1971

16.  Travis Stuart (248) 1991-1992

17.  Duane Halliday (225) 1987-1990

18.  Greg Stern (209) 1974-1976

19.  Hoskin Hogan (186) 1977-1978

19.  Jeff Mladenich (186) 1991-1992

200+ Passing Yard Games, Career
1.    Kellen Moore (46) 2008-2011
2.    Bart Hendricks (28) 1997-2000
3.    Tony Hilde (26) 1993-1996
4.    Ryan Dinwiddie (24) 2000-2003
5.    Jared Zabransky (21) 2003-2006
6.    Grant Hedrick (15) 2011-2014
7.    Jim McMillan (13) 1971-1974
7.    Brett Rypien (13) 2015-2016
9.    Joe Southwick (11) 2010-2013
9.    Mike Virden (11) 1989-1990
11.  Taylor Tharp (10) 2004-2007
11.  Eric Guthrie (10) 1968-1971
13.  Vince Alcalde (9) 1986-1987
13.  Hazsen Choates (9) 1983-1986)

BREAKING: Brenna Peloquin Runs Away with 6K Title at Roy Griak Invitational

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--Boise State sophomore Brenna Peloquin dominated the field to win the 6K women's cross country race at the Roy Griak Invitational this afternoon. Peloquin surged from the start into a pack of 10 runners and gained from there. By two kilometers, she was second behind senior Michigan All-American Erin Finn. Those two runners opened up a 100-yard lead on the third place runner with the rest of the field far back. With about one kilometer remaining, Peloquin made her move and ran away from Finn, extending her lead to 30 yards and crossing the finish line 13 seconds ahead of Finn to take the individual title. Peloquin was 27th in this race one year ago.

Finn, the Big Ten Champion in both 2013 and 2015, won the '15 Big Ten Championship by 45 seconds, but today, she was no match for Peloquin.

Boise State's Roderick Townsend-Roberts Wins Gold At Paralympic Games

RIO DE JANEIRO--Bronco alumnus Roderick Townsend-Roberts, competing for the United States, captured the gold medal in the T45/46/47 long jump at the Paralympic Games this afternoon with a Paralympics record of 7.41 meters. Hao Wang of China was second with a jump of 7.30 while Arnaud Assoumani took the bronze with a mark of 7.11.

The athletes at the Paralympic Games are classified based on their disability--a T45 disability applies to those with double above or below the elbow amputations.

Townsend-Roberts earned All-Mountain West Conference honors for Boise State when he finished third in the heptathlon at the 2013 MW Championships (5,028 points) and again in 2014 when he captured second in the high jump.

Townsend-Roberts, who was fifth in the 100-meter dash on Sunday, will also compete in the high jump Friday.

BroncoCountry.com will post a video of the final when available.

Former Bronco Roderick Townsend-Roberts 5th in 100-Meter Final at Paralympic Games

RIO DE JANIERO--Boise State alumnus Roderick Townsend-Roberts finished fifth in the 100-meter final this morning at the Paralympic Games. Representing the United States, Townsend-Roberts recorded his second fastest time of his career (11.08) to finish just shy of a medal. Brazil's Petrucio Ferreira Dos Santos took the Gold with a world record time of 10.57.

http://www.teamusa.org/Video/2016/09/11/Roderick-TownsendRoberts--Mens-100m-T454647-Final--2016-Paralympic-Games
Townsend-Roberts will compete in the long jump Wednesday afternoon and the high jump Friday afternoon.

Horton's Pick Six Keys 31-28 Bronco Win

BOISE, ID--In a game that came down to the final play tonight at Albertson's Stadium, it was Tyler Horton's 85-yard interception for a touchdown in the game's first few minutes that spelled the difference in Boise State's 31-28 cliffhanger over Washington State. Boise State recorded its eighth win over a Pac-12 team in the last nine years.

In front of the fourth-largest crowd in Boise State history (36,163), the Cougars took the opening kickoff and drove 57 yards in 12 plays to the Bronco 23. But on third-and-nine, Horton jumped the route and his first career interception ended in a Boise State touchdown. It was a 10-14-point turnaround on the game's initial drive and not only put the first points of the contest in Boise State's column but enabled the Broncos to lead from that point on.

Two possessions later, Bronco quarterback Brett Rypien propelled his team down the field with 4-of-4 passing for 56 yards, finding senior wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck for 13 yards to the WSU 13. Running back Jeremy McNichols took it from there, gaining the final 13 yards including a one-yard sprint through the Cougar line to put the Broncos up 14-0.

Rather than try to put pressure on the quarterback, the Boise State defense played a three-man front for much of the night against Washington State's Air Raid attack, giving WSU standout Luke Falk five and six seconds to find a receiver on nearly every pass attempt. Part of that lack of pressure was due to the three-man rush, but even when the Broncos rushed four, they ran into a stone wall that was the Cougar offensive line.

Falk burned the Broncos with a career-high 55 completions in 71 attempts (77%) for 480 yards and four touchdowns, his 16th career 300-yard passing game and ninth over 400 yards.  Falk tied Ryan Leaf with his 59th career TD pass, fourth-most in WSU history.

 The 480 yards given up through the air by the Boise State defense was the eighth-most in 48 seasons of Bronco football at the four-year level. However, although Boise State gave up those yards, for most of the night they negated the big-play tendencies of the Air Raid and forced Falk to throw short.

Falk's field day at the hands of Boise State shattered existing records for both completions and attempts by a Bronco opponent, breaking records of 50 completions given up to New Mexico State on 66 attempts in 2006

In the first half, however, it was a bend but don't break theme for the Broncos as six Washington State trips into Bronco territory resulted in just seven points. Two of those drives onto the Bronco side of the field ended in punts. With 6:30 left in the half, the Cougars drove to the Boise State 23 and went for the conversion on fourth-and-three. However, a false start forced Cougar coach Mike Leach to send in his field goal unit. Erik Powell lined up for a 39-yard try, but Sam McCaskill got his mitts up to thwart that threat.  It was Boise State's first blocked kick since the 2014 Mountain West Conference championship game.

With 3:12 remaining in the half, Shalom Luani picked off a Rypien pass at the WSU 47 and returned it to the Bronco 25. Five plays later, Falk connected with running back Jamal Morrow for a 10-yard scoring strike.

Boise State responded with a 59-yard drive, which included a highlight reel catch by Cedrick Wilson to the Cougar 14. With six seconds left, Tyler Rausa booted a 31-yard field goal to send the Broncos into the locker room with a 17-7 lead.

The Broncos used just four plays to extend that lead to 24-7 with 8:20 left in the third. McNichols broke free for a 21-yard run on the opening play of the drive and two plays later, Sperbeck raced past the Cougar secondary to haul in a 47-yard touchdown toss from Rypien.

Falk went 8-out-of-10 passing to take the Cougars down to the Boise State 13, but linebacker Ben Weaver stopped WSU again when he tackled Falk on a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-one.

Washington State began to gain momentum when they forced the Broncos into a three-and-out and Kaleb Fossum's 12-yard punt return put WSU in business at their own 47. Two plays later, Tav Martin, Jr. snared a 50-yard pass from Falk to cut the lead to 24-14.

Rypien connected with McNichols for 18 yards and Sperbeck for 14 before Wilson came down with another great catch of 36 yards to the Cougar 7 on the final play of the third quarter. McNichols ran it up the gut to begin the fourth with the game's deciding touchdown as Boise State scored for the final time to lead 31-14.

Falk again methodically moved the Cougars down the field, never touched as he chipped away at the Bronco defense with 6-of-8 passing, connecting again with Morrow for a 14-yard scoring play. With 11:34 remaining, it was Boise State 31, Washington State 21.

Boise State drove the ball to its 45, but Sean Wale had to come on to punt, and his high kick resulted in a fair catch at the 24. Washington State was pinned back on the 14 after a holding call on the play.

Washington State again penetrated Bronco territory, facing a third down-and-one on the Bronco 45. First, safety Chanceller James made a beautiful read to come up and tackle Gabe Marks for no gain and then Durrant Miles and Leighton Vander Esch combined to stuff Morrow on fourth down, marking the second time the Broncos took over on downs in the second half.

With 5:12 left and his team facing a 10-point deficit, Luani again picked Rypien's pocket, stepping in front of another pass at the Washington State 49. Luani returned the ball to the Bronco 33 and on the next play, Falk hit Marks in the end zone and Boise State's once seemingly insurmountable lead was cut to 31-28.

Bronco head coach Bryan Harsin then called on his running game, and McNichols toted it six times and chewed up clock to advance the ball to the Cougar 18. But a bonehead hit by tight end Chase Blakley after the play not only set the Broncos back 10 yards but stopped their biggest ally, the clock. Instead of a second-and-six with the clock running, it was a drive-killer, and two plays later, Charleston White intercepted Rypien's pass intended for Wilson in the end zone.

Falk was able to complete passes of eight yards to Morrow and eight and nine yards to Marks, but, facing a fourth-and-one on the Washington State 45 with four seconds left, Falk had to drop back and let it fly in an attempt to hit Martin at about the Bronco 20. But cornerback Raymond Ford expertly swatted the ball down to the turf and the Bronco players rushed the field to congratulate him. 
Boise State wrestled another significant monkey off its back with the victory over Washington State. Heading into the game, the Cougars were the only school in their history that Boise State had played a minimum of four times without posting a win.

The Broncos have now won 22 consecutive non-conference home games dating back to a 2005 loss to Boston College in the MPC Computers Bowl and 49 consecutive regular season non-conference games. Boise State also stretched its streak to 15 straight victories in home openers. The last time Boise State lost either a home opener or a home game to a team outside of their conference came in 2001 when Washington State scored a come-from-behind win in 2001. The Cougars nearly did that again tonight.

Rypien fell one yard short of his second 300-yard passing game of the season, finishing 19-of-35, to move into eighth place all-time with 15 200+ passing games. With 314 career completions in two years, Rypien is seven away from tying Taylor Tharp (2004-07) for 10th in the Bronco record book.

McNichols led the Bronco ground game with 116 on 22 carries and two touchdowns. McNicholls (1,660 yards) passed Boise State greats John Smith (1,623 yards from 1972-1975) and Fred Goode (1,581 from 1975-1978) for 17th place on the Bronco career rushing list.

McNichols, who also had three catches for 25 yards, passed NFL great Doug Martin for fourth place in career receiving yards by a running back. McNichols now has 738

Sperbeck, who was honored prior to the game for being selected to the All-Blue Team for Boise State for the last 30 years, hauled in seven passes for 133 yards and a touchdown, while Wilson grabbed three for 85. Sperbeck, now with 2,592 career receiving yards, continues to climb the ladder up the Bronco all-time list, passing Lou Fanucchi (2,554 yards) this week for seventh place.

Weaver led a stellar effort by the Bronco linebackers, as he (15 tackles), Tanner Vallejo (14) and Darren Lee (10) combined for 39 tackles. Weaver passed four former Broncos, including NFL players Gabe Franklin (2001-2004), Rick Woods (1978-1981) and George Iloka (2008-2011), to move into 29th in career tackles. Vallejo is now 34th on that list.

Boise State limited WSU to 40 yards on the ground, but it was the Cougar aerial game that had the Broncos sweating bullets.

Martin, Jr. caught 12 Falk passes for 158 yards (both career highs) and a touchdown, while Marks had 10 receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown, Morrow grabbed eight for 53 yards and two scores and Isaiah Johnson-Mack had seven catches for 30.  Marks upped his total to 247 career catches, seventh in Pac-12 history.

As exciting as the Bronco win was, it is a win that needs to be kept in context. Boise State scored 31 points tonight, while their opponent gave up 45 points the week before to an FCS school, Eastern Washington.

WSU prevailed in nearly every statistic except the all-important final score, including time of possession (37:58 to 22:02 for the Broncos), total offense (520 to 420), first downs (26 to 21), total plays (91 to 61), passing yards (480 to 299), third-down conversions (11 to 3) and punt return yards (35 to a negative 2 for Boise State). But, just as double-digit penalties hampered the Cougar effort last week the loss to Eastern Washington, Washington State was whistled for 10 more tonight for 79 yards.

Boise State advanced to 2-0 with the victory while the Cougars slipped to 0-2.

Since 2006, Boise State is 9-3 against Pac-12 schools and 13-5 against teams from big-money conferences, including four wins in a row.

Washington State hosts Idaho next Saturday while the Broncos catch their breaths in a bye week before traveling to face Oregon State.

******************************************************************************************

Career Receiving Yards:

1.    Titus Young (3,063) 2007-2010

2.    Matt Miller (3,049) 2011-2014
3.    Austin Pettis (2,838) 2007-2010

4.    Ryan Ikebe (2,751) 1993-1996

5.    Don Hutt (2,728) 1970-1973

6.    Thomas Sperbeck (2,592) 2013-current

7.    Lou Fanucchi (2,554) 1999-2002

8.    Terry Hutt (2,354) 1973-1974/1976-1977

8.    Mike Holton (2,354) 1972/1974-1976

10.  Mike Wilson (2,300) 1990-1993

11.  Jay Swillie (2,161) 1999-2002

12.  Eric Andrade (2,097) 1983-1984/1986-1987

13.  Jeb Putzier (2,050) 1998-2001

14.  Tyler Shoemaker (2,031) 2008-2011

15.  Al Marshall (2,007) 1969-1972

16.  Jeremy Childs (1,999) 2006-2008

17.  Kim Metcalf (1,990) 1980-1984

18.  Winky White (1,977) 1987-1990

19.  Kipp Bedard (1,971) 1979-1981

20.  Shane Williams-Rhodes (1,953) 2012-2015

21.  Drisan James (1,810) 2003-2006

21.  T.J. Acree (1,713) 2001-2004

23.  Tim Gilligan (1,670) 2000-2003

24.  John Smith (1,608) 1972-1975

25.  Sheldon Forehand (1,586) 1989-1992

26.  Billy Wingfield (1,530) 1998-1999, 2001-2002

27.  Jarret Hausske (1,511) 1991-1994

28.  Kyle Efaw (1,269) 2008-2011

29.  Terry Heffner (1,264) 1987-1990

30.  Lawrence Bady (1,197) 2003-2004

31.  Jerard Rabb (1,158) 2005-2006

32.  Geraldo Boldewijn (1,154) 2010-2013

33.  Kirby Moore (1,137) 2009/2011-2013

34.  Chaz Anderson (1,092) 2013-current

35.  Lonnie Hughes (1,086) 1977-1978

Career 100+ Yards Receiving Games:

1.    Ryan Ikebe (13) 1993-1996

2.    Mike Holton (11) 1974/1974-1976

2.    Don Hutt (11) 1970-1973

4.    Titus Young (10) 2007-2010

4.    Thomas Sperbeck (10) 2013-current

6.    Tyler Shoemaker (8) 2008-2011

6.    Austin Pettis (8) 2007-2010

6.    Lou Fanucchi (8) 1999-2002

6.    Mike Wilson (8) 1990-1993

6.    Terry Hutt (8) 1973-1974/1976-1977

11.  T.J. Acree (7) 2001-2004

11.  Rodney Smith (7) 1997-1998

11.  Kim Metcalf (7) 1980-1984

11.  Al Marshall (7) 1969-1971

11.  Matt Miller (7) 2011-2014

Career Receiving Yards By a Running Back 

1.    Brock Forsey (1,050) 1999-2002

2.    Jeremy Avery (790) 2007-2010

3.    Jay Ajayi (771) 2012-2014

4.    Jeremy McNichols (738) 2014-current

5.    Doug Martin (715) 2008-2010

6.    John Smith (673) 1972-1975

7.    David Tingstad (537) 1989-1992

8.    David Hughes (531) 1977-1979 (+ 1980 yards)

9.    Jeff Carpenter (491) 2003-2005

10.  K.C. Adams (490) 1994

Career Rushing Yards

1.    Cedric Minter (4,475) 1977-1980

2.    Ian Johnson (4,183) 2005-2008

3.    Brock Forsey (4,045) 1999-2002

4.    Jay Ajayi (3,796) 2012-2014

5.    Chris Thomas (3,437) 1987-1991

6.    Doug Martin (3,431) 2008-2011

7.    Rodney Webster (3,034) 1980-1983

8.    Jeremy Avery (2,932) 2007-2010

9.    D.J. Harper (2,779) 2007-2012

10.  David Mikell (2,268) 2000-2003

11.  Jon Francis (2,172) 1984-1985

12.  Terry Zahner (2,052) 1977-1980

13.  Lee Marks (1,889) 2002-2005

14.  David Hughes (1,826) 1977-1980

15.  Chris Jackson (1,805) 1986-1987

16.  Eron Hurley (1,697) 1995-1998

17.  Jeremy McNichols (1,660) 2014-current

18.  John Smith (1,623) 1972-1975

19.  Fred Goode (1,581) 1975-1978

20.  K.C. Adams (1,275) 1994

Career Completions:

 1.    Kellen Moore (1,157) 2008-2011

2.    Bart Hendricks (650) 1997-2000
3.   Tony Hilde (629) 1993-1996
4.    Ryan Dinwiddie (622) 2000-2003
5.    Jared Zabransky (610) 2003-2006

7.    Grant Hedrick (475) 2011-2014

6.    Joe Southwick (439) 2010-2013

8.    Jim McMillan (382) 1971-1974
9.    Mike Virden (324) 1989-1990
10.  Taylor Tharp (321) 2004-2007
11.  Hazsen Choates (316) 1983-1986

12.  Brett Rypien (314) 2015-current  

13.  Gerald DesPres (281) 1981-1984

14.  Joe Aliotti (278) 1979-1980

15.  Eric Guthrie (275) 1968-1971

16.  Travis Stuart (248) 1991-1992

17.  Duane Halliday (225) 1987-1990

18.  Greg Stern (209) 1974-1976

19.  Hoskin Hogan (186) 1977-1978

20.  Jeff Mladenich (186) 1991-1992

Career 200+ Yards Passing Games:

1.    Kellen Moore (46) 2008-2011

2.    Bart Hendricks (28) 1997-2000

3.    Tony Hilde (26) 1993-1996

4.    Ryan Dinwiddie (24) 2000-2003

5.    Jared Zabransky (21) 2003-2006

6.    Grant Hedrick (15) 2011-2014

7.    Jim McMillan (13) 1971-1974

8.    Brett Rypien (12) 2015-2016

9.    Joe Southwick (11) 2010-2013

9.    Mike Virden (11) 1989-1990

11.  Taylor Tharp (10) 2004-2007

11.  Eric Guthrie (10) 1968-1971

13.  Vince Alcalde (9) 1986-1987

13.  Hazsen Choates (9) 1983-1986)

15.  Travis Stuart (7) 1990-1992

16.  Gerald DesPres (6) 1981-1984

16.  Joe Aliotti (6) 1979-1980

18.  Tim Klena (5)1981-1982

Career

1.    Scott Russell (415) 1987-1990

2.    Quintin Mikell (401) 1998-2001

3.    Carl Keever (397) 1982-1984

4.    Korey Hall (394) 2003-2006

5.    Andy Avalos (355) 2001-2004

6.    Ray Santucci (333) 1978-1981

6.    Brian Smith (333) 1992-1995

8.    Kenny Kuehl (332) 1987-1990

9.    Jim Ellis (331) 1983-1986

10.  Matt McLaughlin (327) 1989-1992

11. Jeron Johnson (325) 2007-2010

11.  Doug Scott (325) 1976-1979

13.  Tim O'Connor (316) 1987-1990

14.  Dan Williams (296) 1977-1980

15.  J.C. Percy (295) 2009-2012

16.  Wes Nurse (294) 2000-2003

17.  Randy Trautman (285) 1978-1981

18. Tim Langhans (272) 1987-1990

19. Bryan Johnson (266) 1996-1999

19. Andy Mitchell (266) 1986-1989

21. Eric Escandon (262) 1991-1993

22. Pete Kwiatkowski (261) 1984-1987

22. Marty Tadman (261) 2005-2008

24. John Walker (256) 1970-1972

25. Bob Macauley (255) 1977-1978

26. Scott Monk (247) 1990-1993

27. Sam Miller (243) 1975-1978

28.  Darian Thompson (242) 2012-2015

29.  Ben Weaver (241) 2013-current

30. Gabe Franklin (239) 2001-2004

31. Curt Hecker (238) 1979-1982

32. Rick Woods (235) 1978-1981

33. George Iloka (232) 2008-2011

34.  Tanner Vallejo 231 (2013-current)

35. Willie Beamon (225) 1977-1978

36. Loren Schmidt (224) 1972-1974

37.  Erik Helgeson (223) 1987-1990

38. Ron Davis (221) 1973-1974

39. Glenn Simonton (220) 1981-1984 

40.  Ross Farris (218) 1996-1999

41.  Kyle Gingg (215) 2005-2008

42.  Marcus Koch (213) 1982-1985

42.  Kauhi Hookano (213) 1973, 1975-1976

44.  Ron Davis (211) 1973-1974

       Kirk Strawser (211) 1975-1976

46.  Phil Bartle (200) 1983-1986

47.  Mike Dolby (195) 1983-1986

48.  Michel Bourgeau (190) 1980-1983

49.  Chris Carr (188) 2001-2004

49.  Stefan Reid (188) 1993-1994