Broncos Overcome Banged-Up Secondary To Win On The Road At Colorado State

Broncos 31, Rams 24

ESPN.com

In 28 degree, recently precipitated Fort Collins, the Boise State Broncos took on the Colorado State University Rams in the finale for their 2019 regular season. The Broncos were without the services of S Jordan Happle, CB Markel Reed and G, Eric Quevedo. Jaylon Henderson yet again got the start at quarterback, and he played lights out...again.

First Quarter

Colorado State has never beaten Boise State. Like, ever. So, it made sense that on Senior Day that they’d come out hot, and they did. The Rams took their opening possession 75 yards and capped it with a three yard rushing TD by Jalen Thomas.

7-0, Rams

The Broncos took their ensuing possession 73 yards and were able to run it in from the outside on a handoff to TE Collingham that he clearly had the intention to pass. Bates was open in the end zone, but when he saw nothing but green in front of him for three yards, he tucked it and ran, negating the risk of an incompletion.

7-7, All

The Rams attempted to answer, but an interception by Boise State safety, Tyreque Jones, cut the effort short. Jaylon Henderson capped the short, 20 yard drive with a perfect out route to the left side of the end zone to CT Thomas for a five yard TD.

14-7, Broncos

The Rams were able to tie things once again after a series of rather incredible catches by their pass catchers got them 81 yards down the field. The score came on a 16 yard connection between Patrick O’Brien and 6’6” receiver, Warren Jackson.

14-14, All

Aided by two, successful fourth down conversions on the drive, the Broncos were able to get back on top. 79 yards culminated in another score for Garrett Collingham, this one of the passing variety.

21-14, Broncos

Just before halftime, Boise State was able to get the ball back around the Colorado State 30 due to an interception from...Curtis Weaver?? He batted the ball at the line and then spun around and ended up hot potato’ing long enough that he ended up with it in his hands. Four plays later, a 39 yard field goal from Eric Sachse extended the Broncos’ advantage.

24-14, Broncos

Halftime

The Broncos and Rams exchanged a few possessions after halftime. The Broncos weren’t able to connect on a few deep shots and the Rams had a turnover on downs. Ultimately, Colorado State was able to break the second half stalemate by engineering a 9 play, 80 yard drive that ended with a TD pass to their big TE, Trey McBride.

24-21, Broncos

After another series of possession changes, the Broncos had a sustained drive that featured back-to-back highlight reel catches from Shakir and then CT Thomas. The drive ended when Jaylon Henderson kept the ball on a run outside, to the right, from one yard out.

31-21, Broncos

The Rams were able to answer with a 56 yard drive, but only came away with a 34-yard field goal.

31-24. Broncos

That final field goal from Colorado State would conclude the scoring for the game.

For those wondering, no, George Holani was not able to get the 130 yards he needed to go over 1,000 in the regular season. He has 912 now BUT...there’s still one more game left to play before bowl season and he’s a monster, so it’s highly probable he’ll get it. On that note, the Broncos will be back at home next week for the conference championship game versus Hawaii.

In order to have a shot at a Cotton Bowl bid, the Broncos will be hoping for Cincinnati to win the AAC Championship next week in their rematch against Memphis. They lost that matchup today, 34-24.

Hopefully we’ll see you all next Saturday at Albertson’s Stadium for the rematch with Hawaii (tickets available here), and let’s hope Boise State wins as decisively as the last time they visited.

In the meantime, and always...

GO BRONCOS!!