Hank Bachmeier threw for two touchdowns, Boise State’s defense frustrated Utah State and the Broncos claimed their 22nd-straight conference opener with a 27-3 win over the Aggies on Saturday. It is the fewest points allowed by Boise State to a Mountain Division opponent since the Mountain West established divisions in 2013.
The back-breaker was a 3-yard touchdown pass from Bachmeier to defensive tackle Scott Matlock with 5:09 to play. Matlock, who also recorded five tackles and blocked a field goal in the game, lined up at tight end and was left wide open in the end zone. That capped a 15-yard drive after a critical fumble by Utah State quarterback Andrew Peasley. It took the Broncos nine plays and 4 minutes, 23 seconds to cover 15 yards because of penalties.
Utah State (3-1, 1-1 Mountain West), off to its best start since the 1978 team opened 5-0, had 217 yards in the first half but trailed 10-0. The Aggies finished with 443 yards but little to show for it. They entered the game third in the nation at 563.3 yards. Utah State finally scored on a field goal less than a minute into the fourth quarter. But even then, the Aggies had a first-and-goal on that drive.
Boise State (2-2, 1-0) answered that with a field goal and followed with Jackson Cravens’ strip sack of Peasley and Demitri Washington’s recovery.
Boise State, which has won six straight in the series, had 435 yards. Bachmeier threw for 287 and Khalil Shakir had seven catches for 113 yards and a score that made it 17-0 early in the third quarter.
The game kicked off at 10 a.m. for national television (CBS). The Broncos’ last conference opening loss came in 1999 when they were in the Big West Conference.
Boise State continues Mountain West play Oct. 2, hosting Nevada for Homecoming. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. MT
