The No. 4 Boise State Broncos (5-0, 1-0 Western Athletic Conference) made easy work of Toledo (3-3, 2-0 Mid-American Conference) Saturday night at Bronco Stadium, downing the Rockets 57-14. The victory put BSU atop the nation’s longest winning streak, 19, after No. 1 Alabama lost to No. 19 South Carolina earlier in the day.
By using offensive efficiency, turnovers and a little trickery, the Broncos made short work of Rockets, leading Toledo 36-7 before halftime.
“The key to this game was the turnovers because if we didn’t have those turnovers in the first half it would’ve been a much different game,” BSU head coach Chris Petersen said. “It was interesting at halftime, there was a little bit of a frustration feeling. We’d had a nice drive to give us some more breathing room right before we went in, but they were moving the ball fairly effectively. They were getting good field position because of our special teams. The turnovers were the key in terms of letting us get some points. That helped, but it was very awkward in terms of how it felt I thought.”
The Broncos forced five turnovers, two interceptions and three fumbles, to create scoring opportunities that led to way to a BSU victory. Junior defensive end Shea McClellin recorded his second career interception, running back 36 yards for a touchdown.
“The coaches are always harping on the same thing, getting turnovers and being physical,” McClellin said. “We want to be that dominating defense and anytime a defense can get five turnovers, it’s a great day.”
Senior running back Jeremy Avery made his triumphant return after starting the season as the Broncos’ number three running back. Avery was utilized effectively in the red zone in the wildcat formation, rushing for three touchdowns on six carries in the first half. He finished the game with seven carries, averaging six yards per carry and reigning in a 26-yard reception.
“When you’re in the red zone, you want to score…,” Avery said. “All of us want to get in the red zone and take it in.”
“He knows what he’s doing,” junior quarterback Kellen Moore said. “He has done this for a while. Maybe early on he wasn’t getting the touches, but there’s long seasons and there will be different guys that will need to step up and Jeremy doing that right now.”
The Broncos have struggled on special teams all season, a place where they previously have thrived. BSU allowed two long kickoff returns in the first half; a 41-yard return by sophomore wide receiver Eric Page and a 31-yard return by junior linebacker Isaiah Ballard. The long return by Page set the Rockets up for a 58-yard march to their lone first half score.
BSU entrusted most of the second half to their second and third teamers to close out the game. The Broncos scored 21 third-quarter points; McClellin’s touchdown, a 33 yard pass from Moore to junior wide receiver Tyler Shoemaker and a seven-play rushing attack handled by sophomore running back Matt Kaiserman capped by a 1-yard touchdown rush.
BSU goes on the road this week to face WAC opponent San Jose State. The Broncos return the following week to play a Tuesday night game (Oct. 26).