Washington racks up 5 picks in rout of Boise State in LA Bowl

Demond Williams Jr. passed for 214 yards and four touchdowns and Washington racked up five interceptions while rolling to an easy 38-10 victory over Boise State in the LA Bowl on Saturday night in Inglewood, Calif.

Denzel Boston had six receptions for 125 yards and one touchdown for the Huskies (9-4), who won for the third time in the past four games. Dezmen Roebuck, Raiden Vines-Bright and Quentin Moore also had scoring catches for Washington.

Jonah Coleman rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries for the Huskies. Leroy Bryant had two interceptions and Xe’ree Alexander, Rahshawn Clark and Deshawn Lynch each registered one for Washington.

Boise State’s Maddux Madsen completed 7 of 16 passes for 51 yards and was intercepted twice before aggravating a right foot injury near the end of the first half. He watched the second half with a boot on the foot. Madsen sustained an injury to the same foot on Nov. 1 against Fresno State and missed the next three games.

Max Cutforth played the second half for the Broncos (9-5) and completed 15 of 27 passes for 202 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Matt Lauter had the scoring catch for Boise State, which had a three-game winning streak halted.

Washington improved to 5-2 all-time against Boise State, and its five victories have come by an average of 28.4 points.

Colton Boomer kicked a 52-yard field goal on Boise State’s first possession before the Huskies dominated the rest of the game.

Grady Gross booted a 33-yard field goal to tie the contest with 4:20 left in the first quarter before Washington tacked on three touchdowns in the second quarter.

Boston got open long and Williams hit him inside the Boise State 35-yard line and Boston finished off the 78-yard play to put the Huskies ahead with 10:06 left in the first half.

Washington increased the lead to 17-3 when Williams tossed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Roebuck with 1:56 remaining. Clark then picked off Madsen, which set up a 3-yard scoring pass to Vines-Bright with 1:17 left in the half.

The Huskies boosted their lead to 31-3 early in the third quarter when Williams (15-of-24 passing) threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Moore.

Boise State had first-and-goal at the Washington 6 early in the fourth quarter, but Cutforth was pressured out of the pocket and threw the ball into a pack of players in the end zone and Bryant made the interception.

On the Broncos’ next possession, Cutforth was picked off by Hand, who returned it 57 yards to the Boise State 9. Three plays later, Coleman scored from the 6.

The next time Boise State had the ball, Bryant made his second interception of the game at the Washington 40 with 9:10 left.

Cutforth tossed an 8-yard scoring pass to Lauter with 1:18 to go to account for Boise State’s lone touchdown.

–Field Level Media

Everything you need to know about the LA Bowl

Here’s everything you need to know about the LA Bowl:

LA BOWL
Washington Huskies (8-4) vs. Boise State Broncos (9-4)
Saturday, Dec. 13, 8 p.m. ET
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.
Consensus odds: Washington -9, Total 52.5
Bowl history: Washington’s 44th appearance, 21-21-1 record; Boise State is 13-8 in 21 bowl games

Boise State won the Mountain West championship last week and plays in a bowl game for the 22nd time in the past 27 seasons when it battles Washington on Saturday night in the LA Bowl at Inglewood, Calif.

It marks the second time in three seasons that the Broncos (9-4) are competing in the LA Bowl. Boise State lost 35-22 to UCLA in the 2023 edition.

The Broncos have combined for only 45 total points in their past five games against Washington, but will attempt to extend momentum from their current streak.

The 38-21 victory over UNLV to earn the Mountain West championship was the Broncos’ third consecutive win.

“Obviously, this is a quick turnaround,” Broncos coach Spencer Danielson told reporters. “It’s really no time off. It’s nice that you stay in rhythm, obviously we’re going to have some guys banged up from the championship game that it’s going to be next man up, carry the flag. It is the first bowl game in the country, which is awesome.”

The Huskies did not play last week and are part of a bowl game for the 14th time in the past 16 seasons.

This will be the seventh time Washington has faced Boise State – and third in a bowl matchup – and the Huskies have either won by blowout or lost close while claiming four of the six previous meetings.

Washington’s four victories have come by an average of 28.5 points, while the Broncos two wins have been by an average of 2.5 points.

Huskies coach Jedd Fisch is wrapping up his second season at the school and isn’t concerned about past matchups. He is fully intent on making sure his team doesn’t lose for the fifth time this season.

“We’re out here to win the game,” Fisch told reporters. “We’re out here to play our best football, we’re going to challenge our team to play better than we have and see how good we can play on Saturday, and hope that we can channel all of that energy and enthusiasm up to play our best game.”

Washington’s season included Big Ten losses to Ohio State, longtime rival Oregon and Michigan. The top victory came against Illinois.

–Players to Watch
WASHINGTON
QB Demond Williams Jr. has passed for 2,850 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He added 595 yards and six scores on the ground.

RB Jonah Coleman rushed for 673 yards and 14 touchdowns and was one of six finalists for the Paul Hornung Award given to the nation’s top running back. His versatility was never more obvious than a 104-yard receiving game against Washington State. Coleman had a receiving TD and two rushing scores.

S Alex McLaughlin registered 89 tackles and turned in some of his best work in the Apple Cup with a 47-yard pick-six in a two-INT game. He played big in big games, setting a season-high for the Huskies with 13 tackles against Ohio State.

BOISE STATE
QB Maddux Madsen passed for 2,283 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

RB Dylan Riley emerged to rush for 1,091 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“I feel like it’s a better feeling, knowing I started at the bottom and came to the top to get 1,000 yards and be the lead rusher,” Riley said.

S Ty Benefield racked up 100 tackles and was All-Mountain West First Team in 2025 while playing a team-high 1,070 snaps.

DE Jayden Virgin-Morgan had 10 tackles for loss after posting 15 stops behind the line of scrimmage last season.

–Beyond the bowl
What’s Next for Boise State: Just knowing there is a trustworthy feature running back returning in Dylan Riley is big for the Broncos. Moving on from the Ashton Jeanty era wasn’t easy and Malik Sherrod and Sire Gaines got chances to be the main back before Riley erupted for 171 yards and four touchdowns in a mid-September game against Air Force. A 201-yard game on 15 carries against UNLV a month later solidified that Boise State had a new beast in the backfield.

Eye on the 2026 draft: Washington WR Denzel Boston will have a decision to make after continually moving up draft lists in recent months. The 6-foot-4 Boston is now seeing his name among the top 20 selections. Meanwhile, coach Jedd Fisch is trying to sell Boston on one more season at Washington. He had 10 touchdowns catches this season and stands eighth on the Huskies’ all-time list with 19 career scoring grabs. This season, Boston has 56 receptions for 755 yards plus a 78-yard punt return for touchdown.

–Field Level Media

Boise State, Washington kick off bowl season in LA Bowl

Boise State plays in a bowl game for the 22nd time in the past 27 seasons when it battles Washington on Saturday night in the LA Bowl at Inglewood, Calif.

It marks the second time in three seasons that the Broncos (9-4) are competing in the LA Bowl. Boise State lost 35-22 to UCLA in the 2023 edition.

The Broncos enter the contest with three straight wins, including last weekend’s 38-21 victory over UNLV to earn the Mountain West championship.

Washington (8-4) was resting last weekend while Boise State was winning its third straight conference title.

“Obviously, this is a quick turnaround,” Broncos coach Spencer Danielson told reporters. “It’s really no time off.

“It’s nice that you stay in rhythm, obviously we’re going to have some guys banged up from the championship game that it’s going to be next man up, carry the flag. It is the first bowl game in the country, which is awesome.”

The Huskies are part of a bowl game for the 14th time in the past 16 seasons.

This will be the seventh time Washington has faced Boise State — the third in a bowl — and the Huskies have either won by blowout or lost close while claiming four of the six previous meetings.

Washington’s four victories in that span have come by an average of 28.5 points, while the Broncos two wins have been by an average of 2.5 points.

Huskies coach Jedd Fisch is wrapping up his second season at the school and isn’t concerned about past matchups. He is fully intent on making sure his team doesn’t lose for the fifth time this season.

“We’re out here to win the game,” Fisch told reporters. “We’re out here to play our best football, we’re going to challenge our team to play better than we have and see how good we can play on Saturday, and hope that we can channel all of that energy and enthusiasm up to play our best game.”

Washington’s season included Big Ten losses to Ohio State, longtime rival Oregon and Michigan. The top victory came against Illinois.

Demond Williams Jr. has passed for 2,850 yards with 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions for the Huskies. He added 595 yards and six scores on the ground.

Jonah Coleman rushed for 673 yards and 14 touchdowns and Denzel Boston had 56 receptions for 755 yards and a career-high 10 touchdown grabs and also added a punt-return score. Safety Alex McLaughlin registered 89 tackles.

Boise State’s season lacked the pizzazz that came with Ashton Jeanty’s magical 2024 campaign that included a College Football Playoff quarterfinal loss to Penn State.

The Broncos were derailed by South Florida in the season opener and easily handled by Notre Dame in early October. Their two best wins came against UNLV, both at home on the famed Blue Turf.

Maddux Madsen passed for 2,283 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Dylan Riley emerged to rush for 1,091 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“I feel like it’s a better feeling, knowing I started at the bottom and came to the top to get 1,000 yards and be the lead rusher,” Riley told reporters.

Defensively, safety Ty Benefield racked up 100 tackles, defensive end Jayden Virgin-Morgan had 10 stops for loss, defensive tackle Braxton Fely had 5.5 sacks and cornerbacks Jeremiah Earby and A’Marion McCoy each had four interceptions.

–Field Level Media

MWC final: Boise State downs UNLV for 3rd straight title

Maddux Madsen threw three touchdown passes and rushed for another score as host Boise State completed a Mountain West Conference championship game three-peat with a 38-21 victory over UNLV on Friday night.

Madsen completed 17 of 31 passes for 289 yards for Boise State (9-4), which jumped out to a 21-0 first-half lead en route to its seventh Mountain West title. It was the 11th straight win over the Rebels for the Broncos, who also improved to 8-0 all-time against UNLV on their blue home turf.

Anthony Colandrea, the Mountain West’s Offensive Player of the Year, completed 18 of 38 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown and rushed 12 times for a team-high 66 yards and another TD for UNLV (10-3).

Madsen, who missed the final three regular-season games with a right leg injury, showed no ill effects from the injury, rushing 10 yards for a touchdown to make it 7-0 and then tossing scoring passes of 9 yards to Dylan Riley and 7 yards to Cameron Bates to extend the lead to 21-0 midway through the second quarter.

Colandrea cut the lead to 21-7 with a 5-yard touchdown run by Colandrea but the Broncos answered with a 39-yard touchdown toss from Madsen to Malik Sherrod. Colandrea hit Troy Omeire with a 11-yard touchdown pass with 49 seconds left in the half to make it 28-14.

UNLV got as close as 28-21 on a 7-yard touchdown run by JoJo Earle late in the third but the Broncos answered with a 10-play, 78-yard drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Sire Gaines early in the fourth.

Boise State’s Colton Boomer booted a 50-yard field goal with 3:13 left to finish the scoring.

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) scores a touchdown against the Boise State Broncos during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

No. 22 Notre Dame uses ground game to grind away Boise State

Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price combined for 186 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and No. 22 Notre Dame pulled away for a 28-7 win over Boise State on Saturday afternoon in South Bend, Ind.

Love finished with 16 carries for a game-high 103 yards and a score, and Price had eight carries for 83 yards and a score. CJ Carr completed 15 of 23 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns for Notre Dame (3-2), which won its third game in a row.

Maddux Madsen completed 22 of 37 passes for 215 yards but threw four interceptions for Boise State (3-2). Madsen rushed for the Broncos’ only touchdown.

The Fighting Irish outgained Boise State 389-315, including a 200-100 edge on the ground.

Leonard Moore had two interceptions for Notre Dame. Tae Johnson and Luke Talich finished with one interception apiece.

Notre Dame grabbed a 6-0 lead midway through the first quarter. Carr connected with wideout Will Pauling for a 19-yard touchdown completion, and the Fighting Irish missed the extra-point attempt.

Boise State pulled on top 7-6 with 4:03 to go in the second quarter. Madsen punched in a 1-yard run to finish off a 10-play, 72-yard scoring drive.

Love put Notre Dame back on top 14-7 with 48 seconds left in the half. He scored on a 4-yard run, and the Fighting Irish converted a two-point conversion to seize a seven-point lead.

Carr completed his second touchdown pass to give Notre Dame a 21-7 advantage with 5:49 remaining in the third quarter. Malachi Fields made a leaping catch near the right corner of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown.

Price added a highlight-reel, 49-yard touchdown run to increase Notre Dame’s lead to 28-7 with 7:54 to play. He shook off at least four would-be tacklers as he weaved through the Boise State defense and brought the home crowd to its feet.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Sire Gaines (26) against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

No. 25 Boise State to feature 1-2 RB punch at USF

No. 25 Boise State is out to show there’s plenty of life in the program after Ashton Jeanty.

Moving on from the Heisman Trophy runner-up who recorded one of the top running back seasons in college football history is no easy task, but the Broncos start the process Thursday night when they play South Florida at Raymond James Stadium at Tampa, Fla.

Jeanty’s spectacular 2,601-yard rushing season helped the Broncos (12-2 in 2024) reach the College Football Playoff where they lost 31-14 to Penn State in the quarterfinals.

Jeanty’s signature long runs and leaps over defenders can now be found on NFL television outlets, while Malik Sherrod and Sire Gaines try to lessen the impact of his loss.

Sherrod transferred from Fresno State and is in his sixth season of college football. He had a stellar 2023 season with 966 rushing yards and six scores before being limited to four games last season due to injury.

Now he’ll be part of the one-two punch with Gaines, a redshirt freshman who had 156 yards in three games last season before sustaining a season-ending injury.

Broncos coach Spencer Danielson insists his team will still run the football.

“Just because Ashton isn’t here, that does not change,” Danielson told reporters. “We will run the football here, we will establish a run game on offense and first and foremost on defense, stop the run. That’s championship football.”

Quarterback Maddux Madsen is back after passing for 3,018 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2024.

The Broncos are also preparing for the humidity on the West Coast of Florida.

“We don’t control the environment and how many tickets get sold,” Danielson said. “Like how many fans are there? Is there going to be lighting, rain, hot, humid? We prepare for all things.

“As a coach, I’ve got to make sure our players are ready for the battle that is waiting for them. We don’t control the environment, but we do control how prepared we are.”

USF (7-6 in 2024) has won consecutive bowl games in coach Alex Golesh’s first two seasons.

But the Bulls are opening this campaign with a very arduous trio of games — the Boise State game is followed by road games at No. 15 Florida and No. 10 Miami.

Yes, Golesh actively sought the tough gauntlet.

“People were like, ‘What are you guys thinking?’” Golesh told reporters. “And I told them, ‘Those guys have to play South Florida.’ And I’ll tell you the same thing now. Boise State has to come to Tampa and play South Florida at Ray-Jay on a Thursday night on national TV in the heat.

“For who we are, for us to take the next step, we’ve got to go win a marquee game. That happens to be the first one. It’s right there for us.”

Bulls star quarterback Byrum Brown is healthy after being lost to a lower-leg injury in late September last season. He missed the rest of the regular season but did get in for two snaps during a five-overtime 41-39 victory over San Jose State in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve.

In 2023, Brown had a top-notch season. He passed for 3,292 yards and 26 touchdowns against 11 interceptions and also rushed for 809 yards and 11 scores. He’s eager to regain his star status.

“I’m ready. I’m more than ready,” Brown told reporters. “I can’t wait to get out there and go. I feel with the talent we have on this team, we have great things ahead.”

–Field Level Media

Boise State Broncos head coach Spencer Danielson speaks to the media at Arizona Ballroom at Camelback Inn on Dec. 29, 2024, ahead of their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup against the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Report: Boise State’s Spencer Danielson gets 5-year deal

Boise State coach Spencer Danielson finalized a new five-year, $11 million contract after leading the Broncos to the College Football Playoff last season, ESPN reported Tuesday.

The average annual value of $2.2 million reportedly doubles the salary Danielson earned in his first full season running the program in 2024.

Danielson, 36, guided the Broncos to a Mountain West Conference title and finished 12-2 following a 31-14 loss in the CFP to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31. He was named the MWC Coach of the Year.

Danielson is 15-3 overall, including his tenure as Boise State’s interim coach in late 2023 following the firing of Andy Avalos after a 5-5 start that season.

His new deal will start at $2 million per year and increase by $100,000 each year during the five-year term. The only Mountain West coach who earns more annually is UNLV’s Dan Mullen at $3.5 million for 2025.

Danielson has been coaching at Boise State since 2017 when he arrived as a graduate assistant. He served as the defensive coordinator from 2021-23.

–Field Level Media

Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs past Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Kobe King (41) during their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 31, 2024.

Boise State star RB Ashton Jeanty declares for NFL draft

Boise State star running back Ashton Jeanty, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, announced Tuesday afternoon that he is declaring for the NFL draft.

Jeanty had one of top running back seasons of all time in 2024 by rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns. The yardage is second most in a season behind legendary Barry Sanders, who rushed for 2,628 yards for Oklahoma State in 1988.

“The opportunity to play in the NFL is a dream of mine,” Jeanty said in his announcement on social media. “I’m proud to represent Boise State and all of those who have helped me along the way at the next level.”

Jeanty led Boise State to a 12-2 record and an appearance in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals before the Broncos lost 31-14 to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Jeanty rushed for more than 100 yards in each game this season and was known for his dazzling long runs and penchant for breaking tackles. He holds the school record of 4,769 rushing yards and completes his Boise State career with 50 rushing touchdowns.

Jeanty was named Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. In 2023, he won the award after rushing for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The junior is considered the top running back prospect in the draft and could possibly be selected among the top 10 picks.

Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter edged Jeanty for the Heisman Trophy.

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter before the game against the San Diego State Aztecs at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-Imagn Images

Dirk Koetter gives up Boise State OC duties; Nate Potter promoted

Well-respected Boise State offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter stepped down as offensive coordinator and will transfer into a senior analyst role, the school announced Friday.

Nate Potter, who was the co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach the past two seasons, was promoted to offensive coordinator. The 2025 season will be the eighth on the Broncos’ coaching staff for Potter, a former consensus All-American offensive tackle at Boise State.

“Coach Potter is a rising star in this business,” Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said in a news release. “He truly Bleeds Blue as a Boise State Hall of Famer and one of the best to ever wear the Blue and Orange. I’m grateful for him working closely with Coach Koetter this past year and not only learning from one of the best but taking that opportunity to show his ability to lead and direct an offense. I know he is going to continue to make our offense thrive under his leadership and help us make a positive impact on our players’ lives.

“I am also so thankful for Coach Koetter and all that he did for our team this season. I am excited that he will continue to be a part of our staff in a senior analyst role going forward.”

The Broncos went 12-2 this season and lost in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals to Penn State, 31-14, on Dec. 31 in the Fiesta Bowl.

Koetter and Potter formulated the game plans that helped Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty rush for 2,601 yards, second all-time in college football history behind legendary Barry Sanders (2,628 in 1988) of Oklahoma State.

Koetter, 65, commented on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) issues on social media while announcing he would no longer be offensive coordinator.

“We are behind right now in the NIL game,” Koetter said. “Our best players are getting offered between 2 and 10 times what we can offer. We are losing recruits to the (transfer) portal to schools that are just flat outbidding us.”

Koetter served as Boise State’s head coach from 1998-2000 and guided the team to a 26-10 record. He moved on to Arizona State and went 40-34 from 2001-06.

Koetter spent 11 seasons as an NFL offensive coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2007-11), Atlanta Falcons (2012-14, 2019-20) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2015).

He was Tampa Bay’s head coach from 2016-18 and went 19-29 in three seasons.

Potter, 36, played for the Broncos from 2008-11, ending his career with the All-American season. Potter played in 21 NFL games for the Arizona Cardinals for two seasons (2012-13).

–Field Level Media

Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) is tackled by Boise State Broncos safety Ty Benefield (0) during their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 31, 2024.

No. 6 Penn State silences Ashton Jeanty, No. 3 Boise State in Fiesta Bowl

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Tyler Warren caught two touchdowns and No. 6 seed Penn State limited Ashton Jeanty to a season-low 104 yards on 30 carries in a 31-14 win over No. 3 seed Boise State on Tuesday in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Fiesta Bowl.

Jeanty finished the season with 2,601 yards, falling 28 yards short of breaking Barry Sanders’ FBS-record 2,628 yards in 1988 with Oklahoma State. He fumbled twice on Tuesday, losing one of them.

Penn State (13-2) advances to the semifinal round in the Orange Bowl at Miami on Jan. 9. The Nittany Lions will play either No. 2 seed Georgia or No. 7 seed Notre Dame, who face off in the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday.

Drew Allar completed 13 of 25 pass attempts for 171 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for Penn State. Kaytron Allen rushed for 134 yards on 17 carries, while Nicholas Singleton busted free for a 58-yard touchdown run to seal the Nittany Lions’ win with 4:54 left.

Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, did not play in the second half after suffering an undisclosed injury early in the second quarter.

Boise State scored on its first possession of the second half after trailing 17-7 at halftime.

Maddux Madsen completed all three of his passes, including a 53-yard scoring connection with Matt Lauter with 11:38 left in the third quarter.

Madsen finished 23 of 35 for 304 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions for the Broncos (12-2).

The Nittany Lions then went 75 yards in 11 plays, with Allar completing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Warren for a 24-14 lead with 7:22 left in the third quarter.

Boise State squandered a chance to pull within a possession when Jonah Dalmas missed a 38-yard field-goal attempt wide right with 9:20 to play in the game. Dalmas also missed from 45 yards on the game’s first possession.

Madsen was intercepted on each of the Broncos’ final two drives following Singleton’s dagger run.

Penn State scored on its first two possessions to spring ahead 14-0. Allar found Warren from 11 yards out for the game’s first score before connecting with Omari Evans for 38 yards with 3:35 left in the first quarter.

Tyler Crowe’s 8-yard touchdown run cut the lead to 14-7 with 8:41 left in the second quarter, but Ryan Barker drilled a 40-yard field goal for the Nittany Lions on the half’s final snap.

–Javier Morales, Field Level Media