Ashton Jeanty had a remarkable performance, rushing for 259 yards and scoring four touchdowns, while Matt Lauter contributed with four catches for 96 yards and two touchdowns as No. 25 Boise State defeated Washington State 45-24 on Saturday night.
Boise State, playing its first game as a ranked team since 2020, dominated in the fourth quarter against future Pac-12 Conference rival Washington State. The Broncos’ strong ground game led by Jeanty proved too much for the Cougars to handle, who struggled to establish their own running offense.
Jeanty, the nation’s leading rusher with 195.3 yards per game, made a significant impact early in the game. On Boise State’s fifth play, he broke four tackles and ran for a 64-yard touchdown, setting the tone for his outstanding performance. Jeanty finished the game with 26 carries and added a 7-yard reception.
Washington State responded with a quick touchdown drive of its own as quarterback John Mateer connected with Cooper Mathers for a 14-yard touchdown pass. However, Jeanty continued to shine, scoring another touchdown late in the second quarter to give Boise State a 17-10 halftime lead.
Despite Washington State’s efforts to contain Boise State’s offense in the second half, a pivotal fourth-down stop by Boise State’s defense shifted the momentum. This led to Maddux Madsen finding Lauter for a 22-yard touchdown pass, extending Boise State’s lead to 24-10 late in the third quarter.
Although Washington State managed to narrow the deficit with another touchdown, Jeanty’s explosive 59-yard run for a score sealed the victory for Boise State. Mateer threw for 327 yards and two touchdowns for Washington State, while Wayshawn Parker led their rushing game with 35 yards.
Madsen threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns for Boise State. The Broncos now seem to be in a strong position for a playoff bid among the Group of 5 conferences and are gearing up to face UNLV, a crucial match that could have playoff implications.
Washington State will utilize their upcoming off-week to address their defensive shortcomings after conceding 52 and 45 points in their last two games. Boise State will host Utah State in their next game, while Washington State will be on the road to face Fresno State.