October 25, 2025

Article By Nick Wade

RENO, NEVADA – Under the crisp Reno night sky, Boise State continued its Mountain West dominance, defeating Nevada 24–3 to improve to 6–2 overall and 4–0 in conference play, officially clinching bowl eligibility. The win wasn’t the offensive fireworks show Bronco Nation had become accustomed to, but it was a game that showed the discipline, grit, and defensive prowess that championship-caliber teams rely on when the offense sputters. It wasn’t flashy, but it was methodical. It was old-school Boise State football, powered by defense, field position, and a heavy dose of running the football.

For many watching from home and those who made the trip to Mackay Stadium, there was a palpable sense that something felt slightly off in the offensive rhythm. The Broncos didn’t seem to find their usual balance of tempo and creativity. Instead, they leaned heavily on the ground game, calling a large number of inside runs directly into Nevada’s stacked box. It worked enough to chew clock and grind out yardage, but it left fans wondering why Boise State’s offense wasn’t using more of the motion, misdirection, and sweep concepts that have been so effective this season.

I’ll be honest—watching the play calling unfold, it felt at times as though Boise State was intentionally holding something back. The conservative approach seemed too deliberate, too safe, as if Offensive Coordinator Nate Potter was playing the long game. Perhaps he was. It would make sense that Potter might want to keep the more complex elements of his playbook concealed with several tough Mountain West opponents still ahead on the schedule. The lack of sweeps, play-action wrinkles, and misdirection plays that have been a staple of the Broncos’ offense might not have been a sign of stagnation, but rather a strategic choice to keep future opponents guessing.

Despite the lack of explosive offensive plays, the Broncos controlled the game from start to finish thanks to their defense. Spencer Danielson’s squad suffocated Nevada, forcing three interceptions and two fumbles while holding the Wolf Pack to just 247 total yards. It was the kind of performance that showed why Boise State continues to be the class of the Mountain West defensively.

Boise State’s offense did just enough to get the job done. Quarterback Maddux “Maddog” Madsen completed 15 of 28 passes for 174 yards and threw one interception but also found the end zone on the ground. His accuracy was decent with a few dropped passes, and when he had protection, he displayed the composure that has made him one of the top quarterbacks in program history. In fact, Madsen’s passing yardage of 6,249 yards, just 356yds shy of Hank Bachmeier, ranks him eighth all-time among Boise State quarterbacks — an impressive feat considering the program’s lineage of great passers.

Still, for most of the night, the offense felt bottled up by Nevada’s defensive front. The Wolf Pack dared Boise State to beat them through the air, stacking the box and sending pressure up the middle to neutralize the run game. The Broncos ran the ball 33 times, the majority of which were up the middle, testing the interior of Nevada’s defense repeatedly. While the approach was predictable at times, it ultimately produced results, especially in the second half when fatigue began to set in for the Wolf Pack.

Running back Sire Gaines, the bruising force in the backfield, carried the load. He finished with 17 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown, earning the Sam Talks Sports Offensive Player of the Game award. His north-south running style wore down Nevada’s defensive front and helped Boise State control the time of possession by nearly nine minutes. Gaines’ runs may not have been flashy, but his ability to consistently fall forward for positive yardage kept drives alive and allowed the Broncos to grind down the clock.

Dylan Riley, fresh off his 201-yard masterpiece against UNLV, didn’t have a repeat performance statistically, but his contributions were still vital. Riley rushed 12 times for 34 yards and a touchdown, providing just enough spark in key moments. When he hit the edges, you could feel the stadium tense up — every touch held the potential to break wide open. But again, Boise State’s offensive play calling didn’t utilize him in the ways fans expected. Rather than leveraging Riley’s speed with sweeps, tosses, or delayed cutbacks, he was often tasked with inside handoffs that limited his ability to create explosive plays. It’s difficult to fault the game plan entirely when the result was a win, but one couldn’t help but wonder how the offense might have looked if Riley had been given more opportunities in space.

Receiver Cam Bates continued to emerge as a dependable weapon, recording a key 37-yard catch that set up a scoring opportunity and added a valuable spark to the passing attack. Chris Marshall, whose breakout campaign has drawn attention across the Mountain West, had a quieter evening but remained an important part of the offensive spacing and defensive manipulation.

Defensively, though, the story was all blue and orange dominance. The Broncos played fast, physical, and disciplined — a reflection of Spencer Danielson’s coaching DNA. The defensive front applied consistent pressure, collapsing the pocket and forcing Nevada’s freshman quarterback, Carter Jones, into rushed decisions. Boise State’s secondary capitalized on those mistakes, intercepting Jones three times and shutting down the deep passing game entirely.

Cornerback Jeremiah Erby delivered a performance that will be most remembered during this game. With two interceptions, including one in the red zone that killed a promising Nevada drive, Erby set the tone for the defense. His ability to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage, maintain position, and make plays on the football was textbook. It earned him Sam Talks Sports Defensive Player of the Game, and rightly so. His ball skills and instincts were elite, and his performance was the kind that flips momentum in games where the offense struggles.

The Broncos’ front seven also had a field day. While safety Buck Benefield led the team with six tackles, continuing his campaign as one of the Mountain West’s most consistent defensive leaders. The fronts Jayden Virgin-Morgan, David Latu, and Malaki Williams each contributed a half sack, while the ever-reliable Braxton Fely added another half sack of his own. Derek Ganter Jr. saw more playing time with Zion Washington out finished with six tackles, showing great closing speed and tackling fundamentals in open space. A’marion McCoy, the playmaking defensive back who has built a reputation for clutch interceptions, added another pick, further solidifying Boise State’s secondary as one of the most opportunistic in the nation.

The defensive effort was complemented by strong situational play. Boise State forced Nevada into long third downs, disrupted timing routes, and tackled cleanly in open space — a major point of emphasis following earlier struggles this season. The Broncos allowed only 100 yards on the ground and just 147 through the air, holding Nevada to three points, their lowest total of the season.

While the game lacked offensive fireworks, it showcased the Broncos’ mental toughness and their ability to win in multiple ways. It also highlighted their tribute to one of the program’s all-time greats, Doug Martin. Boise State honored the late Bronco legend with a special “DOUG” decal on their helmets, a simple but powerful gesture that served as motivation throughout the night. Players spoke afterward about how the tribute added emotional weight to the game. There was a sense of purpose that extended beyond football — a desire to play for something bigger, to represent the blue and orange legacy that Martin embodied.

Statistically, the game reflected Boise State’s control. The Broncos outgained Nevada 308 to 247 in total yards, with 174 coming through the air and 134 on the ground. While the yards-per-rush average of 2.9 was modest, it was enough to move the chains and maintain possession. The Broncos won the turnover battle decisively, recording three interceptions and forcing two fumbles while committing only one turnover themselves. Time of possession also tilted heavily in Boise State’s favor, with the Broncos holding the ball for over 34 minutes compared to Nevada’s 25.

The performance wasn’t about flash or flair; it was about execution and discipline. The offensive line, despite the conservative play calling, provided steady protection for Madsen and opened enough running lanes to sustain drives. Penalties, which have been an occasional problem in previous games, were kept to a minimum. Boise State committed just two for ten yards, a sign of a team playing poised, mistake-free football.

Still, it’s impossible to ignore the elephant in the room — the offense looked bland, even predictable. As a fan and observer, I couldn’t help but think this was by design. With matchups against Fresno State, San Diego State, Colorado State, and Utah State looming, why show your best play calls now against a one-win Nevada team? If Nate Potter intentionally went vanilla to save the more explosive looks for the stretch run, it’s a strategy that could pay major dividends. It’s a calculated move, one that could keep opposing defensive coordinators guessing as Boise State enters the final month of its Mountain West title defense.

This victory also came with postseason implications. Boise State’s win makes them bowl eligible for the 28th consecutive season — a streak few programs in the country can match. It also keeps them unbeaten in conference play and in firm control of their destiny for another trip to the Mountain West Championship Game. With the Broncos starting to receive votes in the Coaches Poll, the national conversation is beginning to shift.

While the odds remain slim, the possibility of sneaking into the expanded College Football Playoff still lingers. The recent Memphis win over USF helps Boise State’s resume slightly, pushing their playoff odds to an estimated 20 to 25 percent if they can run the table and chaos ensues across the Group of Five. That dream, while distant, still fuels motivation in the locker room and among fans who remember winning the Mountain West in 2023 against all odds. 

For now, though, Boise State’s focus remains on the next challenge. The Broncos return home to Albertsons Stadium next Saturday to face Fresno State in a matchup that could again define their season. It’s a chance to reestablish the offensive rhythm, showcase more creativity, and remind the Mountain West that Boise State isn’t just a defensive juggernaut — they’re a complete football team capable of dominating in all phases.

The 24–3 win over Nevada may not have been beautiful, but it was effective. It was a testament to discipline, defense, and the ability to win even when things aren’t clicking perfectly. In championship seasons, those are the games that matter most. The Broncos walked into Reno and handled business. They honored a legend, overcame an off night offensively, and left with their sixth win of the year. Sometimes, that’s all you need.