September 28, 2025

Article By Nick Wade

BOISE, IDAHO – When the final whistle echoed through Albertsons Stadium on a crisp September Saturday night, the scoreboard told a story that few could have predicted so emphatically just a week ago. Boise State, carrying the momentum of a hard-fought conference victory over Air Force, left no doubt against Appalachian State, delivering a resounding 47–14 triumph in front of 32,904 fans who packed into the Blue. The Broncos, now sitting at 3–1 on the year, looked every bit the defending Mountain West champions, putting together their most complete performance of the young season while exposing flaws in an Appalachian State squad that arrived in Boise boasting the nation’s third-ranked passing attack.

The win was impressive not only because of the margin, but because of the manner in which it was secured. Entering the game, most of the attention centered on Appalachian State’s LSU transfer quarterback AJ Swann and his connection with wideout Jaden Barnes. Boise State’s secondary had been considered a concern, especially after showing cracks against Air Force the previous week, but what unfolded was a defensive clinic in how to disrupt rhythm, suffocate options, and seize momentum through opportunistic plays. Swann finished with just eleven completions on twenty-four attempts for sixty-four yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, producing a quarterback rating of just 4.7. For a passing offense ranked among the nation’s elite, the performance was jarring.

Credit belongs to the Broncos’ secondary and defensive front for collapsing the pocket and never allowing Appalachian State’s receivers to get comfortable. Bo Phelps, who would later be recognized by Sam Talks Sports as the defensive player of the game, embodied that disruptive spirit, finishing with six tackles and returning an interception for a touchdown. A’Marion McCoy added another defensive score with his own interception return, making it the kind of night that turned the spotlight away from the ground-and-pound that typically defines Boise State and toward the very unit fans had circled with concern entering the matchup. Sherrod Smith added yet another pick, underscoring how dominant the secondary truly was.

The defensive line also played its part in stifling Appalachian State’s rhythm. Braxton Fely delivered a pair of sacks, Jayden Virgin-Morgan produced six tackles and a tackle for loss with a sack sprinkled in, while Malaki Williams and Sterling Lane each added sacks of their own. Buck Benefield remained a reliable anchor with seven tackles, while Marco Notarianni and others held their gaps to limit explosive plays. The only consistent offensive life Appalachian State could muster came from Arkansas transfer Rashod Dubinion, who ran hard for one hundred and three yards on seventeen carries, but without balance from the passing game, his efforts never truly threatened to tilt the game.

If the defense provided the exclamation points, the offense supplied the relentless march that defined the evening. Maddux “Maddog” Madsen orchestrated perhaps his finest performance yet in a Boise State uniform, completing twenty-five of thirty-seven passes for three hundred twenty-one yards and four touchdowns. He looked sharp from the opening series, commanding tempo, spreading the ball to his playmakers, and showing poise even when Appalachian State briefly generated pressure. His ability to extend drives with accuracy and touch gave the Broncos confidence that their offensive identity continues to evolve beyond the running game. For his effort, Madsen was honored as the Offensive Player of the Game by Sam Talks Sports, a recognition that only further cements his growing reputation as a steady hand in the huddle.

The receiving corps was the perfect complement to Madsen’s precision. Latrell Caples showcased his reliability with five catches for eighty-four yards and two touchdowns, his timing with Madsen proving lethal in red-zone situations. Ben Ford chipped in three receptions for forty-five yards and a score, while Quinton Brown added a touchdown, his first career score, on a miraculous twenty-nine-yard grab that highlighted Boise State’s ability to stretch the field vertically. Chris Marshall, continuing his emergence as a key weapon, hauled in three passes for fifty-two yards. The passing attack spread Appalachian State’s secondary thin and capitalized on mismatches throughout the evening.

On the ground, the balance was there, even if the raw numbers did not produce the eye-popping totals of previous weeks. Sire Gaines carried eleven times for sixty-five yards, Dylan Riley added sixteen rushes for forty-six yards, and Sherrod added four carries for forty-nine yards. The important note, however, was that the running game established enough credibility to keep Appalachian State’s defensive front honest, which in turn opened the door for Madsen’s play-action success. The offensive line again deserves recognition for dictating the trenches, giving Madsen clean pockets for much of the night and springing enough daylight for the backs to keep drives alive.

Yet even amid the celebration of a dominant win, the night was not without concern. Cornerback Jayden Mickey and offensive lineman Roger Carreon were both carted off with injuries of unknown severity, their absences casting a shadow over the secondary and offensive line depth moving forward. The availability report due Thursday will provide more clarity, but for a defense that just delivered its best performance of the season, the potential loss of Mickey in the Nickle role  would represent a significant setback heading into the most anticipated matchup on the Broncos’ schedule.

For Bronco Nation, this victory resonated as more than just a routine win over a non-conference opponent. It was validation. After weeks of questioning whether the defense could hold against elite passing games, the unit rose to the challenge, producing turnovers, scoring points, and limiting an offense that came into the contest with one of the nation’s best reputations. It was also a reminder that Boise State’s culture of toughness, discipline, and blue-collar identity continues to separate it from so many peers.

The timing could not be better. Next Saturday, Boise State travels to South Bend to face a Notre Dame team fresh off a 56–13 dismantling of Arkansas. The Irish, ranked twenty-second nationally, present a daunting challenge with their blend of size, speed, and tradition, and the matchup represents a chance for Boise State to prove that it belongs on the national stage. A win in South Bend would not only quiet doubters who still question whether the Broncos can compete with Power Five programs but could propel them into the Top 25 conversation.

From an analytical perspective, the keys for Boise State will mirror much of what worked against Appalachian State. Establishing the ground game early with Riley, Gaines, and Sherrod will open the playbook for Madsen, who has shown the ability to distribute the ball effectively when the running lanes are respected. Defensively, discipline in the secondary and sound tackling will be non-negotiable. While Air Force and Appalachian State posed very different threats, Notre Dame combines elements of both, with a balanced offense capable of exploiting any lapse in assignment football. Boise State’s front line, led by Virgin-Morgan, Fely, and Stege, will need to set the tone, while the secondary, potentially shorthanded, must find ways to maintain confidence against elite talent.

The injury situation adds a layer of urgency, but Boise State has built its reputation on the concept of next man up. If Mickey and Carreon are unavailable, the coaching staff will turn to depth pieces who now face the challenge of performing under the brightest lights. That pressure may be daunting, but it also represents opportunity, and in the history of Boise State football, opportunities like these often yield unexpected heroes.

As the Broncos prepare for Notre Dame, Saturday’s performance against Appalachian State should serve as both a blueprint and a source of confidence. The offense showed balance and explosiveness, the defense silenced critics with a suffocating display, and the team as a whole demonstrated resilience and focus. Boise State’s fan base has long craved another moment on the national stage, a chance to prove once more that the program’s standard is not just Mountain West excellence but national relevance.

The 47–14 victory was a statement. The trip to South Bend represents the chance to turn that statement into a proclamation. If Boise State plays with the same energy, precision, and opportunism that defined their win over Appalachian State, then the Irish will be facing more than just another conference outsider. They will be facing a team ready to rewrite expectations and carve its path back into the national consideration.