Final Score: Boise State Broncos 52, Colorado State Rams 21

Absent 14 players—including 4 starters—due to COVID protocols, the Boise State Broncos began their comeback tour at home VS the Colorado State Rams. It went well.

ESPN.com

First quarter

Just barely meeting the minimum requirement of 53 players, a quarterback, and a full offensive and defensive line, the Bronco defense started very fast. Ver batim: Incomplete, -3 yard tackle-for-loss, incomplete, Avery Williams blocked punt recovered for a touchdown.

Broncos 7, Rams 0

After blocking the first punt attempt for a TD, the Broncos had occasion to force another within the first five minutes of the game. And then...Hank Bachmeier came back. He proceeded to lead a TD drive in his first game back since the opener against Utah State. The drive was capped off with a pass to a wide open QB-turned-TE, Riley Smith for his first career score.

Broncos 14, Rams 0

After trading a few possessions, Kekaula Kaniho decided he wanted to get in on the special teams scoring too. So, he cleverly waited for Colorado State’s first real scoring attempt—a field goal...and proceeded to take the kick blocked by Scott Matlock 88 yards to the house.

Broncos 21, Rams 0

Second quarter

The Rams were finally able to get something going early in the second quarter. After 8 plays spanning 76 yards, the CSU quarterback sneaked into the end zone from the 1.

Broncos 21, Rams 7

Not letting the brewing blowout go to waste, the Broncos answered right back. A few nifty, big gainers from CT Thomas and Khalil Shakir put the Broncos at the one. Andrew Van Buren punched it in from there. Ten plays. 85 yards. Bronco TD.

Broncos 28, Rams 7

A little less than four minutes to go before halftime, the Broncos took advantage of a JL Skinner interception to march the remaining 36 yards for another six points. Again on another 1 yarder from Andrew Van Buren.

Broncos 35, Rams 7

After weathering the stor...squa...er...’minor drizzle’ that was Colorado State’s attempt to answer, the Bronco special teams came up with another EXTRA special play. Avery Williams blocked another punt, and DJ Schramm returned it for another special teams TD!

Broncos 42, Rams 7

HALFTIME

Third Quarter

The second half didn’t exactly start out on a high note. The Broncos went three and out and then allowed a touchdown drive of 64 yards on seven plays. They followed that up by fumbling the ensuing kickoff and allowing CSU to score again the next play.

Broncos 42, Rams 21

The Broncos were able to answer, albeit not quite in the way one hopes. After a six play, 44 yard drive a TD wasn’t in the cards. But Jonah “Hasn’t Missed Yet This Season” Dalmas split the uprights from 38 yards out for 3. It may not have been a touchdown, but points are points!

Broncos 45, Rams 21

Avery Williams fielded the punt following the Rams failed drive. He was able to almost break free for another score, but still got well within CSU territory. The Broncos got all but one of the remaining 33 yards on a phenomenal, shifty sweep by Khailil Shakir. That one remaining yard came when Shakir coughed up the ball just a hair outside of the end zone...right into the waiting hands of offensive tackle, Nick Crabtree, already standing in the orange paint, for a FAT GUY TOUCHDOWN.

Broncos 52, Rams 21

Fourth Quarter

Nothing happened, other than 15 minutes passed.

Your final score:

Broncos 52, Rams 21

Against the Rams, the Broncos did a lot to cure the ills of the debacle that was the BYU game. One almost feels sorry for Colorado State. Until one remember that...it’s Colorado State. The offense wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t turn the ball over and was largely efficient with Bachmeier back at the helm. The defense, as is tradition (it seems), had a poor showing in the third quarter but was otherwise dominant. The Rams quarterbacks and ballcarriers found themselves tackled behind the line of scrimmage often. Shane Irwin, Demetri Washington’s fill-in at defensive end, had two sacks. Sam Whitney had another. JL Skinner got an INT. Riley Whimpey was an absolute sideline-to-sideline terror. It was, overall, a redemptive day for the defense.

The special teams performance was incredible. Three kicks/punts blocked for touchdowns in a half is simply unheard of. The most important thing, though, is that we can go ahead and mark down a third Mountain West win for the Broncos to put them at 3-0 in conference. Barring unfortunate, COVID-y circumstances, the Broncos should be on the island, taking on the Rainbow Warriors of Hawaii November 21st. We’ll see you then. Until that time—and always...

...GO BRONCOS!