BOISE, Idaho – BYU gave up 637 yards to Boise State as the Cougars dropped their fourth game in a row Saturday night in Boise, 55-30.
"I was really encouraged that we made a stop and forced a field goal early, but really Boise State controlled the game from the opening kickoff," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "They were better prepared and the better executed team tonight in every phase than we were."
Boise State (6-2, 3-0) jumped out to a 20-0 lead with 13:31 left in the first half. In the first quarter, the Broncos used a field goal on their first possession and 12-yard touchdown rush from quarterback Grant Hedrick to gain a 10-0 advantage. After kicking another field goal on the first play of the second half, Boise State used a 78-yard touchdown pass from Hedrick to receiver Thomas Sperbeck to give the Broncos a 20-point advantage.
BYU (4-4) scored its first touchdown with 9:12 left in the half, keying on plays from running backs Jamaal Williams and Paul Lasike. Williams ran it in from 17 yards out to put the score at 20-7.
On the following drive, a trick play from Boise State resulted in a 49-yard touchdown completion from Hedrick to receiver Shane Williams-Rhodes. The touchdown increased the Broncos’ lead back to 20 with 8:05 on the second quarter clock.
The Cougars responded with a one-play drive—an 81-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Christian Stewart to receiver Colby Pearson. The Cougars cut Boise State’s lead to 27-14 with Pearson’s second career touchdown.
The Broncos subsequently drove 77 yards on nine plays, punctuating their drive on a 3-yard touchdown run from running back Jay Ajayi.
Following a Scott Arellano punt that put the Broncos on their own 5-yard line, BYU defensive lineman Logan Taele brought down Ajayi in the end zone for a safety.
Leading 34-16, the Broncos intercepted Stewart after the free kick, and scored another touchdown on a 19-yard pass from Hedrick to receiver Troy Ware. Boise State took its 41-16 lead into halftime.
On Boise State’s first possession of the second half, BYU freshman linebacker Fred Warner intercepted a pass in the flat and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown. With 11:54 left in the third quarter, the Broncos led 41-23.
Boise State added two touchdowns in the fourth quarter before BYU’s Stewart called his own number, scoring on a 2-yard rush with 5:11 left in the game. Stewart’s touchdown made the score 55-30. From there, the Broncos converted on a few first downs and ran out the clock.
BYU stays on the road for the Nov. 1 matchup against Middle Tennessee. The game starts at 2:30 p.m. CDT and will be televised on CBS Sports Network.