Bronco Nation Travels Together As Boise State Breaks Through In Pullman
October 25, 2026
Article By Nick Wade
PULLMAN, Washington. — There are victories that matter in the standings, and then there are victories that become memories because of the people, the journey and the emotions surrounding them. Boise State’s 31–10 win over Washington State in Pullman delivered both. The Broncos secured their sixth consecutive victory, improved to 6–1 overall and 3–0 in Pac-12 play, and accomplished something the program had never done before: win a football game on Washington State’s home field. But for those of us who made the journey with Bronco Nation, the significance of Saturday’s afternoon extended well beyond the scoreboard.
I was fortunate to make this trip while covering Boise State for KBOI and Bronco Nation Updates, thanks to the generosity of Rodney Busbee and Tru Blu Travel, who sponsored my trip and stay in Spokane. Traveling alongside approximately 75 fellow Bronco faithful was a reminder that college football is about much more than what happens between the opening kickoff and the final whistle. It is about the friendships formed along the way, the shared commitment to a team and the unmistakable bond that brings people together across state lines to support the blue and orange. I am profoundly grateful to Rodney and Tru Blu Travel for making this experience possible, and for helping create an opportunity to cover the game while sharing the journey with so many passionate Boise State fans.
The photograph of our group outside Beasley Coliseum captures something that a box score never can. Surrounded by autumn colors beneath a brilliant blue sky, Bronco Nation showed up in force in Washington State territory, proudly wearing the colors and carrying the spirit of Boise State. Whether the destination is a familiar stadium or a road venue where the Broncos have never won, the traveling fan base continues to demonstrate what it means to stand behind this program. The final score made the trip even sweeter, but the people who made it together were part of the story long before the game began.
A Difficult Afternoon Becomes A Fourth-Quarter Statement
Boise State’s first visit to Pullman as a winner was not without its frustrations. The offense opened slowly, and Washington State’s defense did a good job of limiting the Broncos’ preferred rushing lanes during the first half. Boise State’s opening possession ended in a punt, and the Cougars made the Broncos work for every opportunity. The defense, meanwhile, established a promising tone early, with Jayden Virgin-Morgan recording a sack and Lopez Sanusi disrupting Washington State’s passing game.
The Broncos struck first when Sire Gaines powered into the end zone on a nine-yard touchdown run, completing a 74-yard drive. Maddux Madsen’s 33-yard completion to freshman Rasean Jones helped set up the score, and Boise State appeared positioned to take control. Yet the offense struggled to build consistent momentum, with penalties disrupting possessions and Washington State finding ways to stay within reach.
Boise State also had to recover after Jeremyah Lane muffed a punt, although the Broncos retained possession. The defensive front continued to make its presence felt, while the secondary generally kept receivers in front of defenders and contested opportunities downfield. Still, Washington State put together a lengthy drive late in the second quarter, covering 73 yards over 16 plays before Kirby Vorhees scored from one yard out with 31 seconds remaining. Canaan Moore’s 28-yard field goal as time expired in the half gave Boise State a narrow 10–7 lead.
The third quarter brought more of the same uncertainty. Washington State tied the game at 10–10 with a 47-yard field goal, and Boise State’s offense continued to sputter. The Cougars used a draw play to exploit space up the middle, while the Broncos struggled to generate the rhythm that had powered their winning streak. Madsen had to use his mobility to extend plays and move the chains, including a critical 17-yard scramble on third-and-six. The quarterback’s willingness to run when opportunities presented themselves became an important part of keeping drives alive.
For three quarters, Boise State looked vulnerable to an upset. The defense was competing, but the offense had not found its finishing gear. With the game tied and the fourth quarter approaching, the Broncos needed a decisive response.
They delivered one emphatically.
Riley Breaks The Game Open
Boise State opened the final quarter with a 15-play, 70-yard drive that consumed more than seven minutes and ended with Madsen finding Cam Bates for a six-yard touchdown. The score restored the lead at 17–10 and gave the Broncos the opening they needed. The drive was an important display of patience and execution, especially after an uneven offensive performance through the first three quarters.
Then Boen Phelps changed the game. The linebacker intercepted Washington State quarterback Owen Eshelman, returning the ball 13 yards to the Cougars’ 33-yard line. Boise State needed only two plays to capitalize, as Dylan Riley burst through for a 33-yard touchdown run that extended the lead to 24–10.
Riley was not finished. After the defense forced another Washington State punt, Boise State took over at its own 10-yard line. On the third play of the possession, Riley found daylight and sprinted 72 yards for another touchdown, putting the game out of reach at 31–10 with 6:26 remaining. It was his fourth rushing touchdown of at least 70 yards this season, an extraordinary demonstration of his explosive ability.
Riley finished with 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries, averaging 9.8 yards per attempt. His second-half production was especially impressive, as he rushed for 110 yards after halftime. For the second consecutive week, Riley earned Bronco Nation Updates’ Player of the Game recognition, rewarding a performance that transformed a frustrating offensive afternoon into a decisive road victory.
Madsen completed 14 of 23 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown, while adding 34 yards on four carries. Jones led Boise State’s receiving corps with five catches for 69 yards, and Gaines contributed 64 rushing yards and the game’s opening touchdown. Bates’ fourth-quarter scoring reception proved to be the turning point that allowed Boise State to seize control.
The final numbers tell the story of a team that found its strength when it mattered most. Boise State recorded 407 total yards, including 258 rushing yards, and averaged seven yards per carry. Washington State managed 244 total yards and only 53 rushing yards. The Broncos finished with 21 first downs, converted seven of 12 third downs and went four-for-five in the fourth quarter defensively to shut out the Cougars over the final 15 minutes.
Uncharacteristically, Boise State did not win the time-of-possession battle. Washington State held the ball for 30:48 compared with 29:12 for the Broncos. That distinction is worth noting because Boise State often relies on its physical running game to control the clock, but on this afternoon the decisive difference was not possession. It was the defense’s ability to create a turnover and the offense’s ability to turn that opportunity into points.
A Defense That Finished the Job
Phelps’ interception was the signature moment of a defense that steadily wore down Washington State and delivered when the game was on the line. Phelps finished with six tackles and the interception, earning Bronco Nation Updates’ Defensive Player of the Game honor. Sanusi recorded two sacks, while Virgin-Morgan added a sack and finished with six tackles. Bol Bol also recorded a sack in the fourth quarter as Boise State’s pass rush helped prevent the Cougars from mounting a late comeback.
Washington State’s offense had opportunities to remain competitive, but Boise State closed the door. The Cougars were held to 53 rushing yards on 33 attempts, averaging just 1.6 yards per carry, and finished with only 10 points. After tying the game at 10, Washington State never scored again. The Broncos’ fourth-quarter performance reflected the kind of defensive resolve needed to win on the road when the offense takes time to find its rhythm.
For my personal grading, the offense earned a C for much of its uneven performance before the late surge, while the defense deserved an A for its ability to limit Washington State’s explosive opportunities and shut out the Cougars in the fourth quarter. The final offensive numbers were strong, but the inconsistent execution and penalties that stalled drives cannot be ignored. Boise State will need to begin games with greater consistency as the conference schedule continues.
The victory also made Boise State bowl-eligible for the 29th consecutive season, extending one of the most remarkable stretches of sustained success in college football. Head coach Spencer Danielson earned his 30th career victory, and the Broncos continued a season that has gained momentum since their opening-week loss to Oregon. Boise State has now won six straight games and opened conference play 3–0, keeping itself in the thick of the PAC-12 race.
The Journey Is Part Of The Victory
For Bronco Nation, the trip to Pullman will be remembered not only for Riley’s long touchdowns or Phelps’ game-changing interception, but also for the experience of traveling together and seeing the Broncos accomplish something new. The chants of “Boise State! Boise State!” rising from the stands in the fourth quarter made the distance from home feel a little smaller. The team had taken control, the defense was finishing the job, and the fans who had followed the Broncos into Washington had every reason to celebrate.
I am thankful to have shared this experience with the faithful who made the journey, and especially grateful to Rodney Busbee and Tru Blu Travel for sponsoring my travel and stay in Spokane. Their support made it possible for me to cover this game for KBOI and Bronco Nation Updates while experiencing the camaraderie that makes Bronco Nation special. Travel sponsorship is more than helping someone reach a destination; in this case, it helped bring a story to life that includes the fans, the road and the shared passion behind Boise State football.
The so-called Snake River rivalry may be defined by geography and competition, but this trip was a reminder that the reach of Bronco Nation extends far beyond Idaho. It travels together, celebrates together and continues to show up wherever the Broncos play. Boise State left Pullman with a 31–10 victory, a six-game winning streak and a piece of history in the books. For those of us who made the journey, the win was the perfect ending to a memorable road trip—and a powerful reminder of why we keep following this team.