MOSCOW, Idaho — History had written a story of Boise State (9-0, 5-0 Western Athletic Conference) and U. Idaho (4-6, 1-4 WAC) where each had strong runs against one another. The last game the Vandals won against the No. 4 Broncos set the stage for a 12 season venture to get even.
Friday night in Moscow the Broncos ended a long history of rivalry and emotion by evening that score, matching the Vandals’ previous record of 12 straight games won, before parting ways with no plans in motion to extend the annual in-state engagement. BSU rode away on a quick scoring wave of early points to set a tone for victory, 52-14.
The Broncos opened up with a three-and-out against the Vandals where U of I quarterback Nathan Enderle aired the ball out before being forced to punt. Sophomore wide receiver and punt returner Chris Potter caught the ball at his own 24-yard line, ran through and couple defenders and found a seam and the end zone for a 76-yard touchdown less than a minute into the game.
“Our whole deal was getting out there and starting fast,” Potter said. “And so I think that really kind of gave us a boost and we’re excited and I’m glad it finally worked out for us.”
The Broncos scored three more touchdowns before the end of the first quarter: an 8-yard touchdown run by junior running back Doug Martin, a 1-yard rush by senior Jeremy Avery and a 58-yard pass from junior quarterback Kellen Moore.
Moore threw two more touchdowns, one to redshirt freshman Gabe Linehan and another to Avery. Moore finished the game with 19 completions, 216 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Moore has thrown no less than two touchdown passes this season, totaling 24 touchdowns.
Avery steps out from the shadows
Early during the season, Avery was slotted as the No. 3 running back on the BSU depth chart after completing a 1,000-yard 2009 season. He’s now scored 11 touchdowns this season, leading the team in trips to the end zone. He knew the season was long and coach Chris Petersen reiterated that his time would come.
“You never know how the season progresses,” Avery said. “You never know how it’s going to change and what it’s going to bring to you because it’s a long season, Coach Pete told me, and it is and that’s how you’ve got to go with it.”
His journey has delivered a career where he has never tasted defeat to the Vandals. It’s something that he feels he can take from the rivalry as a badge of honor.
“It actually means a lot,” Avery said. “It’s based on a rivalry no matter how you look at it. It’s a big time game and, to both of us, it means a lot to the team. How we go out there and perform is the best.”
Thompson turns defensive back tide
Senior cornerback Brandyn Thompson made it a point to clear the air of doubt surround the BSU secondary. Last week the Broncos held Hawai’i, college football’s top passing attack, to under 200 yards and recorded two interceptions against the Vandals Friday night. It is pressure that he refused to buckle under, as well as the rest of the secondary.
“We’re just trying to get better every week,” Thompson said. “We’re a prideful group and we’ve always been and will continue to be. We’re just going to go out every week and try to get better.”
Martin rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns, making it his fourth 100-plus yard game of the season.
Young had five receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown.
The Broncos return home Friday to face Fresno State at Bronco Stadium.