Boise State was looking for a fast start against UNLV, especially coming off a bye week.
Boise State was looking for a quick start against UNLV, especially after a good-bye week.
Video Credit: YouTube
And although the defence in the second half was the key to the previous four wins of the 16 Broncos, their defensive work in the first half was almost perfect Saturday.
Hank Bachmeier threw 299 yards and two touchdowns and Boise State saved a strong defensive attempt to win a 38-13 over UNLV.
“The whole mindset coming off the bye was how are we going to start fast,” said Boise State coach Bryan Harsin, whose team led 17-0 at halftime. “What’s our mindset Friday, Saturday night, our guys came ready to play. It was a really solid defensive performance.”
Khalil Shaker caught seven passes for 111 yards and a TD, John Hightower had four catches for 105 yards, including a 76-yard touchdown reception that made it 14-0 with 13:38 to half-time.
“They just called the play and I went on the go route,” Hightower said. “As I play my part, as they come up, as they call my play. I just do what I can.”
Shaker's touchdown came after a pass from backup Chase Cord, a 24-meter connection with 5:31 in the game.
Boise State (5-0, 2-0 Mountain West) is having a good week in its search for a group of five bowl berths. On Friday night, the closest competitor to the Broncos is for that place, no. 18 UCF (4-2), released on Cincinnati 27-24.
Bachmeier opened the score with 11:33 left in the first fifteen minutes and found Garrett Collingham on the right for a 2-yard scamper by a tackler.
Boise State added a 52-yard field goal from Joel Velazquez to make it 17-0 during the last game of the first half. A pass from Bachmeier-to-Shakir over 26 meters was the field goal.
The Broncos increased their lead to 24-0 with 6:40 left in the third when Akilian Butler once scored on a 23 meter run around the right side.
UNLV's Kenyon Oblad, a red-shirt fifteen-minute first-year student, started his first career instead of Armani Rogers, who sprained a knee in the loss of 53-17 last week in Wyoming.
Oblad was 24 for 55 for 262 meters and two touchdowns for the rebels (1-4, 0-2). He had one interception.
“There’s going to be a game where you will see both of them,” UNLV coach Tony Sanchez said. “As the game went on, we did some good things. We didn’t get pushed around tonight.”
WEAVER LEADS MWC
Defensively, Curtis Weaver, a junior, is now the pocket manager of the Mountain West Conference. On Saturday he had three pockets to take the lead and has 29.5 in his career. The Broncos had a total of five pockets.
“It’s a blessing. I thank God every day, I thank our support system, my mom, my family,” Weaver said who had many of his family in attendance. “We just kept attacking. They showed some looks.”
GOOD, BAD, UGLY
Boise State has now given up 22 second-half points this season. After allowing a point after halftime in their first three wins, the Broncos gave up nine days earlier in their win against Air Force in Boise. On Saturday Boise State was called for 130 meters or penalties.
“Our execution could have been better, penalties, not finishing at the end,” Harsin said. “We’ll address those. It’s about where we’re trying to go. Overall, big positives tonight on special teams, especially with Joel hitting a 52-yard (field goal).”
SO LONG ... HOME AWAY FROM HOME
The Broncos miss Sam Boyd Stadium, which is in its final year as the rebel moves its home games to the now-built Allegiant Stadium, the new home of the upcoming NFL's Las Vegas Raiders.
Since earning a berth in the Las Vegas Bowl in 2010, the Broncos have been at Sam Boyd. Boise is 3-0 against UNLV and has defeated four different Pac-12 opponents in Las Vegas Bowls.
Boise State fans made up at least half of the announced crowd of 24,681. It was the largest home audience of UNLV since 2015, against UCLA.
“We’ve got a great fanbase,” Hightower said. “With all of them behind, it felt like a home game.”
The Broncos are now 8-3 all-time against the Rebels.
UP NEXT
Boise State hosts Hawaii on Saturday.
UNLV travels to Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Video Credit: YouTube
Video Credit: YouTube
Twitter Reaction
UNLV’s defence has forced Boise State to punt 6 times, the most the Broncos have all season.
Plus they have a fumble recovery and forced a turnover on downs.
But the offence has scored 7 points.
Q4, 1:12; 37-13 | TOUCHDOWN! Avery Williams returns the onside kick to the UNLV 6-yard line. Van Buren scores on the next play.
Friday morning, the entire #BoiseState Blue Thunder Marching Band will be traveling to Las Vegas! As the Broncos face UNLV on Saturday, we hope you will be able to watch us in person or on CBS Sports as many of our members graduated from Las Vegas area high schools!
It will be a beautiful October night at Sam Boyd Stadium as UNLV takes on Boise State. Kickoff is at 7:30PM Saturday. Take a look at the forecast..comfortable temperatures the entire night.
Attendance: 24,681. Largest for UNLV since Sept. 12, 2015 (UCLA). And a good chunk of that is Boise State fans.
nice score!! Boise State 24, Refs 7, UNLV 0. No problem with those calls IF when our
QB slid and was hit, you threw a flag there! #BSUvsUNLV
QB slid and was hit, you threw a flag there! #BSUvsUNLV
