The Milk Can is officially back in Boise for the first time since 2022, after the Broncos snagged a 38-31 win over Fresno State on Saturday night in a wild rivalry game. Talk about a heartbreaker for the Bulldogs, man, especially after the way they started this thing.
Dude, this game kicked off with fireworks, no joke. Fresno State wasted zero time, scoring their first opening drive touchdown of the entire 2026 season! Jayden Mandal scrambled eight yards and boom, 7-0 ‘Dogs, just like that. But then Boise State’s Dylan Riley, the nation’s leading rusher, was like ‘hold my beer.’ Two carries. TWO. And he ripped off a 72-yard touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion that immediately flipped the script. Broncos were up. Then the QBs decided it was their turn. Maddux Madsen hooked up with Terrious Favors, stretching Boise’s lead even further. But Matt Entz for Fresno State, man, he pulled a rabbit out of a hat. Maryland transfer Khristian Martin came in, threw his first pass since Sacramento State, and connected with Ezekiel Avit for a MASSIVE 59-yard catch-and-run! That brought the ‘Dogs to 15-13 after a missed two-point try.
Boise State Grinds Out the Win After Wild First Quarter
After that insane first quarter, things settled a bit, but only because Boise State went full ground and pound. Riley and the Broncos put together an 18-play, EIGHT-minute drive that ended with Sire Gaines punching it in from two yards out, putting them up by nine. Fresno State wasn’t quitting, though. Mandal led another scoring drive, hitting Avit for his second touchdown of the night on a 10-yard slant. At halftime, Boise still held a slim 22-20 lead. Second half? More of the same from Boise State. They just kept pounding the rock, draining the clock. Another brutal 14-play drive, almost eight minutes gone in the third quarter, and they rolled into the fourth with an eight-point cushion. Then came the gut punch, man. Madsen found Riley across the middle, and Riley took it 44 yards to the house! Just like that, Boise’s lead jumped to 15. The ‘Dogs fought back, with Mandal hitting Gavin Correia and nailing a two-point conversion to Jahlil McClain, but after trading field goals, it all came down to the onside kick. Boise State recovered it with ease, icing the game.
So, yeah, tough one for Fresno State. They’re now sitting at 1-1 in conference play, and man, they’ve got some catching up to do in the Pac-12 race. Right now, it’s Oregon State and the Broncos chilling alone at the top, both sitting pretty at 2-0. ‘Dogs gotta regroup, and fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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