November 10, 2025

Article By Nick Wade

The season has reached that pivotal point where resolve is tested, confidence is measured, and every snap becomes a statement. For Boise State, sitting at 6-3 overall and 4-1 in the Mountain West, this trip to San Diego for a primetime showdown against the 7-2 Aztecs is more than a test of schemes and stats—it’s a defining moment of character. Saturday night’s game under the bright lights of Snapdragon Stadium will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network, an 8:30 p.m. Mountain Time stage that will showcase not just the battle for conference supremacy but the identity of a program navigating adversity with quiet conviction.

There’s something fitting about this stretch of the season. As November deepens and the air cools across the Mountain West, the path to a championship narrows. The teams that endure are those who play with precision and heart. Boise State knows this better than most. The Broncos’ contention has not been smooth—it has been built through self-assessment, hard truths, and the leadership of men who have learned to respond when their pride was challenged.

This week’s storyline centers around a quarterback room tested by injury and responsibility. With starter Maddux Madsen sidelined by a lower leg injury—thankfully one that doesn’t require surgery—Boise State turns to redshirt sophomore Max Cutforth, a walk on from Skyview, to command the offense. Madsen’s absence looms large; he has thrown for 1,997 yards and 15 touchdowns this season with a poise that ranks him among Boise State’s all-time greats, eighth in career passing yardage and within striking distance of Hank Bachmeier. His leadership, his feel for timing, and his ability to extend plays have been essential to Boise State’s success. But as he heals and eyes a potential late-season return, it’s Cutforth’s moment to steady the ship.

Coach Spencer Danielson’s message to his young quarterback this week was simple, almost understated in its power: “Just be your best.” Those four words, though brief, embody the ethos of this Boise State team. Every player, from the veterans anchoring the defense to the freshmen fighting for snaps, has been reminded that identity isn’t about perfection—it’s about intent. It’s about playing with purpose and leaning into preparation when circumstances change.

The Broncos’ offensive identity begins with their ground game, and this Saturday, it must be the heartbeat. The numbers tell a clear story: Boise State is undefeated when Dylan Riley gets eight carries or more. The electrifying back, who has racked up 745 yards and seven touchdowns this season, has the kind of vision and acceleration that can shift a game’s rhythm in an instant. Yet his usage has been inconsistent, a point Coach Danielson addressed candidly after the Fresno State game when he said, “Dylan Riley only touching the ball six times can’t happen.” It wasn’t criticism—it was truth. The Broncos’ balance depends on his involvement, because when Riley is moving the chains, it opens the field for play action, where Cutforth can find confidence and rhythm in his reads.

The Fresno State loss still lingers in the locker room and on the practice field. Danielson didn’t shy from honesty afterward, saying, “We got booed out of the stadium,” and adding that he and his players and staff “had real conversations.” That transparency, though painful, can galvanize a team. It forces every unit to own its part and recommit to discipline, execution, and pride. Offensive Coordinator coach Nate Potter both echoed that this week’s mission is about clarity and tempo—putting Cutforth in situations where he can succeed early and often, leaning into the run to keep the Aztec pass rush at bay.

San Diego State enters this matchup as the Mountain West’s top defensive unit, ranked first in the league and sixth nationally in total defense. They’re suffocating in their structure, allowing just 261.8 yards per game, and their front seven is relentless in pursuit. Linebacker Owen Chambliss, who has tallied 84 tackles and four sacks, is the centerpiece—smart, physical, and capable of wrecking blocking schemes. Edge rusher Trey White adds pressure off the perimeter, and the Aztecs’ defensive line, anchored by strength and experience, rarely loses the leverage battle. It’s a defense built on discipline, and it thrives when forcing opponents into long-yardage situations.

That makes first down success critical for Boise State. If Riley can find daylight on early downs, and if the offensive line can control the line of scrimmage, the playbook opens for Cutforth to utilize Boise State’s depth at receiver. Chris Marshall, who returns to the lineup after a one-game disciplinary suspension, will be crucial in that effort. Danielson’s earlier remarks on Marshall—“The standards that we have here and how you act and how you interact with coaches and players matters”—resonated deeply across the roster. It wasn’t just about accountability; it was about culture. Marshall’s reinstatement comes at a time when Boise State needs his athleticism and physicality most. His ability to stretch the field complements the steady hands of Latrell Caples, who has 351 yards and three touchdowns this season, and the emerging consistency of Sire Gaines, whose 473 yards and five touchdowns make him a trusted rusher in crucial downs.

Cutforth’s stat line may be modest—20 completions on 39 attempts for 173 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions—but his understanding of tempo and decision-making improve weekly. The coaches have challenged him to manage the game rather than chase it. His success depends on trust: trusting his protection, trusting his receivers, and trusting the run game to keep the offense balanced.

On the defensive side of the ball, Boise State’s identity has sharpened dramatically. This group has become a wall when playing with emotion and alignment. The Broncos rank 34th nationally in total defense and an impressive 10th in passing defense, allowing just 168.7 yards through the air. That secondary, anchored by Buck Benefield, Jeremiah Erby, and A’Marion McCoy, has combined physicality with ball awareness to create turnovers and disrupt rhythm. Benefield’s leadership and productivity—66 tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble—have set the tone. Erby has complemented him with 42 tackles and two picks, while McCoy continues to emerge as a true playmaker, his four interceptions and two defensive touchdowns making him a game-changing presence.

Boise State’s front seven continues to evolve into one of the league’s most balanced units. Braxton Fely’s power up front, reflected in his five sacks, and the versatility of Jayden Virgin-Morgan, who has 42 tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles, have given Defensive Coordinator Erik Chinander flexibility in pressure looks. Marco Notarainni, one of the most cerebral linebackers in the conference, has 50 tackles and one and a half sacks and continues to anchor the middle with anticipation and range. The defensive success, however, extends beyond individual numbers—it’s built on chemistry. The communication between the front, linebackers, and secondary has become seamless, something that wasn’t always the case earlier in the year.

The return of Zion Washington could be one of the most underrated storylines this week. His instincts at boundary safety and his ability to close downhill add dimension to a defense that thrives on versatility. Washington’s 36 tackles are a testament to his reliability, and his return allows Boise State to rotate with Derek Ganter Jr., who has been steady with 22 tackles of his own. The depth and experience in the back end will be crucial against an Aztec offense that, while not explosive statistically, is opportunistic.

San Diego State’s offense is methodical, not fast-paced but deliberate, with moments of unpredictability. Quarterback Jaden Denegal, a junior with 1,548 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions, has the arm strength to stretch the field but has been inconsistent under pressure. His QBR of 44.9 reflects the struggles the Aztecs have faced when forced into passing situations. The offense runs through Lucky Sutton, the powerful junior running back with 898 yards and eight touchdowns. His combination of vision and acceleration makes him dangerous, especially if he gets past the line of scrimmage. Wide receiver Jordan Napier, with 631 yards and two touchdowns, is Denegal’s primary target, capable of making contested catches and finding soft spots in coverage.

The matchup within the matchup will be Boise State’s defensive front against San Diego State’s ground game. The Aztecs average 180 rushing yards per game, while Boise State’s run defense has stiffened to allow just over 156 yards. Fely, Virgin-Morgan, and Notarainni must disrupt the blocking schemes early, while edge contain will be critical in preventing Sutton from bouncing runs outside. If the Broncos can limit SDSU to second-and-long situations, their secondary can dictate tempo.

Boise State’s keys are consistent: establish the run, protect the football, and control the clock. Time of possession may not always be a glamorous metric, but in games like this, it defines momentum. The Broncos average 32 minutes and 48 seconds of possession per game, second-best in the Mountain West, while the Aztecs sit at 30:57. Every minute that Boise State’s offense stays on the field limits the Aztecs’ defensive energy and keeps their offense from finding rhythm.

Special teams, often overlooked, could become the hinge of this game. San Diego State’s units are among the best in the nation—they block punts, flip field position, and often steal points. Boise State must be flawless in protection, coverage, and return execution. Kick return defense and punt containment will be pivotal, as SDSU thrives on sudden changes. The margin for error will be slim, and attention to detail in this phase could mean the difference between victory and heartbreak.

What makes this Boise State team intriguing is its emotional arc. After the Fresno State disappointment, Danielson didn’t sugarcoat things. The players were held accountable, the staff reflected, and the locker room atmosphere shifted from frustration to focus. The quote that lingered throughout practice this week was, “We had real conversations.” Those words signify a program that refuses to hide behind excuses.

Cutforth’s journey to this start has been one of preparation behind the scenes. He’s known for his composure in meetings, his quiet competitiveness, and his willingness to absorb detail.  San Diego State’s crowd may not rival the noise of The Blue, but Snapdragon Stadium has its own energy—a blend of coastal confidence and conference pride. How Cutforth handles that early surge, especially against a defense that thrives on confusion and disguised coverages, will determine how Boise State settles into the game.

The Broncos’ offensive line, though young in spots, has steadily improved in cohesion. They’ve allowed just two sacks per game, and this week their task is monumental. San Diego State brings multiple looks—line stunts, delayed blitzes, edge twists—that challenge communication. The offensive line must anchor the pocket and maintain integrity against interior rushers. If the line wins the physical battle, Riley and Gaines will have room to operate, and the offense can dictate rather than react.

There’s a poetic symmetry to this matchup: two 4-1 teams in the Mountain West, both chasing positioning for the championship game, both defined by defense and discipline, both led by head coaches who believe in culture over flash. San Diego State’s Sean Lewis has rebuilt the Aztecs into a fundamentally sound, emotionally grounded team, while Danielson’s second year at Boise State has been about re-establishing the standard.

For the Broncos, the opportunity is massive. A win on the road against the top-ranked defense in the conference would not only erase the Fresno frustration but reassert Boise State’s place as the Mountain West’s most resilient power. It would reaffirm their identity as a program that doesn’t flinch when adversity hits.

Emotionally, this game carries the weight of redemption. The Boise State faithful, still smarting from last week’s boos, know that the only way to silence doubt is with performance. The players know it, too. They’ve seen the film, felt the sting, and now they step into a stadium far from home with a chance to prove that this team, this 2025 group, has the grit to respond.

In moments like these, games are not won on paper—they’re earned in the trenches, in the calm before the snap, in the silent belief of a locker room that still trusts its heartbeat. Danielson’s message—“Just be your best”—wasn’t directed only at Cutforth. It was for everyone wearing the blue and orange, from coaches to specialists to scout team members. Be your best in preparation. Be your best in execution. Be your best when the pressure tightens and the crowd roars.

Saturday night in San Diego, Boise State’s best will be measured not in perfection but in purpose. It’s about how they respond, how they fight, and how they finish. This is the kind of game that defines a season, that shapes leadership, and that, for a program with Boise State’s pedigree, keeps the standard alive.

Once it’s kickoff and the stadium lights reflect off the Battle Stallion on Boise State’s helmet under a California sky, every yard will tell a story. Every tackle, every carry, every throw will echo a week of accountability and belief. And if the Broncos can summon the balance of emotion and execution that has always defined their great teams, they’ll walk off that field not just with another win, but with their identity restored—earned the hard way, under pressure, on the road, with everything on the line.