Nov 26, 2021; Carson, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs wide receiver Jesse Matthews (45) is defended by Boise State Broncos cornerback Kaonohi Kaniho (14) in the first half at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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No. 21 SDSU rallies past Boise State to make MWC title game

Jordan Brookshire came off the bench to pass for one touchdown and rush for another and No. 21 San Diego State clinched a spot in the Mountain West conference championship game with a 27-16 victory over Boise State on Friday morning at Carson, Calif.

Brookshire entered late in the second quarter and led San Diego State to 24 consecutive points to overcome a 13-point deficit. He completed 11 of 15 passes for 192 yards and rushed for 46 yards on nine attempts for the Aztecs (11-1, 7-1).

San Diego State tied the program’s Division I mark for victories, also accomplished under legendary coach Don Coryell in 1969 and twice under Rocky Long (2015, 2016). The program is in the Mountain West title game for the first time since 2016.

Jesse Matthews had a season-best 133 receiving yards and matched his career high of nine catches, with one going for a score. Greg Bell tacked on a rushing touchdown, Jonah Tavai recorded three sacks, Patrick McMorris intercepted two passes and Dallas Branch picked off one for San Diego State.

Hank Bachmeier completed 21 of 40 passes for 222 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for Boise State (7-5, 5-3). Khalil Shakir and Kurt Rafdal caught touchdown passes for the Broncos, who were eliminated from Mountain West title game consideration.

The Aztecs outgained Boise State 408 to 319.

Brookshire replaced ineffective Lucas Johnson with 3:04 left in the second quarter with San Diego State trailing 16-3. The offense immediately emerged from hibernation.

The Aztecs traveled 78 yards on five plays with Brookshire connecting with Matthews on a 29-yard scoring pass with 1:30 left. San Diego State got the ball back and drove for Matt Araiza’s 37-yard field goal with three seconds left to trail 16-13 at the break.

The Aztecs continued the momentum on the first drive of the second half as Bell scored on a 2-yard run for a 20-16 lead. McMorris then intercepted Bachmeier for the second time and Brookshire cashed in with a 16-yard scoring run to boost the lead to 11 with 7:46 left in the third quarter.

Johnson was 9-of-20 passing for 98 yards before being pulled.

Boise State struck first on Bachmeier’s 20-yard scoring pass to Rafdal with 6:08 left in the opening quarter.

San Diego State got on the board on Araiza’s 31-yard field goal with 1:10 left in the period. But the Broncos tacked on nine second-quarter points on Bachmeier’s 13-yard scoring pass to Shakir and Jonah Dalmas’ 22-yard field goal to lead 16-3 with 8:39 remaining in the half.

–Field Level Media

Field Level Media
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