October 18, 2025

Article By Nick Wade

BOISE, IDAHO – On a beautiful afternoon in Boise, Idaho, Albertsons Stadium was packed with 32,927 fans roaring in unison, the Blue Chaos that defines Bronco Nation echoing through the foothills. The stage was set for the biggest game of the year — a collision between the 4-2 Boise State Broncos and the undefeated
6-0 UNLV Rebels. When the dust settled, the Broncos had delivered their most complete performance of the season, storming to a 56-31 victory that not only preserved their Mountain West supremacy but extended the nation’s best home winning streak to sixteen games. 

From the first whistle, the tone was clear: this game would be won in the trenches and on the ground. Dylan Riley’s performance on the Blue joins an elite group of 13 Boise State Broncos in school history to rush for 200 yard in a game. The sophomore tailback torched UNLV’s defense for 201 yards on just fifteen carries, averaging a staggering 13.4 yards per attempt, including a 65-yard lightning bolt that electrified the home crowd. His balance of speed and vision opened the offensive floodgates and forced the Rebels to stack the box, setting up opportunities through the air for Maddux “Maddog” Madsen to pick apart their secondary. 

Madsen, as composed as ever under pressure, continued his evolution into one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the Mountain West. The junior gunslinger finished the afternoon 14-of-23 for 253 yards and four touchdowns, showing poise even after throwing an interception in the first half. His chemistry with wideout Chris Marshall was again on display, connecting on three receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown. Marshall’s combination of size and athleticism demanded double coverage, creating open lanes for Cam Bates to work underneath. 

The first half was a roller coaster. UNLV’s offense, led by Virginia transfer quarterback Anthony Colandrea, came out swinging. Their tempo and precision had the Broncos’ defense on its heels early, slicing through for quick drives and capitalizing on a couple of Boise State miscues. By halftime, the scoreboard read 28-24 in favor of the Broncos — far too close for comfort. The Blue faithful had done their part, creating a wall of sound that rattled the Rebels’ offensive line and contributed to a series of false starts, but the outcome was still very much in doubt. 

When the Broncos returned from the locker room, however, they came out a completely different team. The adjustments made by Head Coach Spencer Danielson and Defensive Coordinator Erik Chinander flipped the script. Boise State began controlling the line of scrimmage, leaning into its strength in the run game and relying on its dominant front seven to dictate tempo. Riley’s relentless running forced UNLV to commit extra defenders to the box, opening the floodgates for Madsen’s play-action arsenal. 

Sire Gaines, the bruising complement to Riley’s finesse, added 44 yards of total offense and two total touchdowns — one on the ground and one through the air. His physicality in short-yardage situations put the Broncos up early in the first quarter.  Cam Bates, known for quickness and misdirection, got in on the action with a 35-yard reverse touchdown run that completely fooled the UNLV defense. 

Defensively, the story of the second half was Boise State’s relentless pursuit and discipline. Marco Notarainni continued to anchor the linebacking corps with six tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 1.5 tackles for loss. His instincts and leadership set the tone for a defense that allowed only seven points in the second half after giving up 24 in the first. Buck Benefield’s seven tackles were crucial in containing UNLV’s potent ground attack in the open field, while A’Marion McCoy delivered the game’s defining defensive highlight with a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown. McCoy’s pick-six ignited Albertsons Stadium, sealing the momentum swing that Boise State would never relinquish. 

But perhaps the most underrated performance came from cornerback Jayden Mickey, whose energy and aggression embodied the entire unit’s second-half resurgence. Mickey racked up seven tackles, four of them solo, along with two tackles for loss and a sack. His ability to jam receivers at the line and disrupt timing routes suffocated UNLV’s passing game, which finished with just 215 yards through the air. For his effort, Mickey was named Defensive Player of the Game, presented by Crosby Custom Coatings. 

Sam Talks Sports named Dylan Riley the Offensive Player of the Game, a no-brainer after his historic afternoon. Riley’s burst, patience, and vision turned short gains into long runs and ensured that UNLV’s defense had no answers. Boise State’s offensive line, dominated the trenches, creating gaping holes and controlling time of possession. 

Though the Broncos technically lost the turnover battle — one interception and one fumble compared to UNLV’s single interception — they were able to neutralize those mistakes through their efficiency in other areas. Boise State’s 558 total yards of offense and 294 rushing yards underscored their balance and explosiveness. They averaged nearly nine yards per carry, a testament to both the offensive line’s strength and the running backs’ ability to find daylight. 

On the other side, UNLV put up respectable numbers — 476 total yards and 261 rushing yards — but the Rebels’ inability to finish drives and capitalize on turnovers proved costly. Boise State’s defense tightened up in the red zone, forcing field goal attempts and limiting big plays. The noise generated by Bronco Nation also cannot be overstated. Multiple false starts by the UNLV offensive line in key situations derailed drives and stalled their rhythm, illustrating why Albertsons Stadium has become one of the most difficult places to play in college football. 

Head Coach Spencer Danielson praised his team’s ability to respond to adversity and adjust midgame, saying afterward that the win was about discipline and execution. “That’s a really good football team we just beat,” Danielson said postgame. “UNLV came in undefeated for a reason. They’ve got talent, speed, and they play tough. But I’m proud of how our guys handled the moment. We talked all week about staying composed and doing our job, and they did exactly that.” 

The Broncos’ victory didn’t just extend their home dominance — it reignited national conversation around whether Boise State could claw its way into the College Football Playoff conversation. The odds remain slim, but not impossible. For Boise State to have any hope, they would need the top AAC teams to falter over the next several weeks, with multiple upsets and some internal cannibalization among conference leaders. Still, as long as the Broncos continue to handle their business and rack up dominant wins, there will always be that glimmer of blue hope. 

From an offensive standpoint, the Broncos have found their identity. Madsen’s command of the huddle, Riley’s explosiveness, Gaines’ reliability, and the versatility of receivers like Marshall, Ford, and Caples have created a multi-layered attack that can score in a hurry or grind down a defense methodically. The offensive line’s performance against UNLV might have been its most cohesive of the season, showing the power and chemistry necessary for a championship run. 

Defensively, the emergence of players like Mickey and McCoy alongside leaders like Notarainni, Benefield, and Fely has given this unit depth and swagger. Braxton Fely didn’t light up the stat sheet this week, but his interior presence and ability to collapse the pocket freed up others to make plays. Jayden Virgin-Morgan’s leadership up front also cannot be overstated; his motor and gap discipline were vital in stifling UNLV’s zone-read packages. 

The only glaring area of concern remains special teams. After allowing a touchdown return against New Mexico the week before, the Broncos’ coverage unit again struggled with lane integrity and containment. Special teams coordinator Stacey Collins will need to shore up that group quickly, as poor coverage against future opponents could swing close games in the wrong direction. On the flip side, the kicking game remains a strength — Colton Boomer’s leg continues to instill confidence, and Oscar Doyle’s quick-thinking touchdown pass last game and execution of a fake punt pass against UNLV remains a symbol of Boise State’s creativity and resilience under pressure. 

As the final seconds ticked away and the Bronco band blared the fight song in view of the Boise foothills, the message was clear: Boise State is not going anywhere. The defending Mountain West champions are surging at the right time, and with momentum on their side, the rest of the conference should be on notice. 

Now at 5-2 overall and 3-0 in the Mountain West, Boise State sits squarely atop the standings, controlling its own destiny. The road to a three-peat still runs through the Blue, and this latest victory over a previously undefeated UNLV team solidified that truth. The focus now turns to next Friday, when the Broncos head to Reno to face a struggling Nevada squad. It’s a classic trap game, but with the confidence and rhythm this team has built, it’s hard to imagine them losing focus. 

Dylan Riley’s dazzling 201-yard performance, Jayden Mickey’s defensive statement, and the unrelenting roar of Bronco Nation all contributed to one of the program’s most exhilarating wins in recent memory. The Blue remains sacred ground, the streak continues, and Boise State once again looks like the team nobody wants to face in November. 

If the Broncos keep playing like this, the conversation won’t just be about the Mountain West title race — it’ll be about whether this group can crash the national party one more time.