November 8, 2026

Article By Nick Wade  

FORT COLLINS, Colorado. — Boise State delivered its most explosive offensive performance of the season Saturday, running past Colorado State 64-38 in Fort Collins. The Broncos became the first Boise State team to score 60 points in a game since Ashton Jeanty and the 2024 squad put that number on Utah State, and Dylan Riley came within one yard of matching Doug Martin’s program record for all-purpose yards in a single game.

But as impressive as the scoreboard looked, the victory also left a question that will follow the Broncos into one of the biggest stages of the season: Can the defense, particularly the secondary, contain explosive plays when Oregon State comes to the Iconic Blue?

Boise State is 8-1, riding an eight-game winning streak, and preparing to welcome ESPN’s College GameDay to campus. The offense is playing like a championship-caliber unit. The concern is whether the defense can consistently complement it when the stakes rise.

An Offensive Performance for the Record Books

The Broncos wasted no time establishing the tone. On the second play from scrimmage, Max Cutforth found Dylan Riley out of the backfield, and Riley turned a short opportunity into a 73-yard touchdown reception. Boise State converted the two-point attempt and immediately put Colorado State on notice.

Riley continued to dictate the afternoon with a 42-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, giving the Broncos a 15-7 advantage. Cutforth followed with a 15-yard touchdown connection to Matt Wagner, and Boise State finished the opening quarter with 22 points. It was the Broncos’ highest-scoring first quarter of the season.

The offense never lost its rhythm. Cutforth connected with freshman Rasean Jones for a 35-yard touchdown in the second quarter, then found Terrious Favors for a 29-yard score after halftime. Riley added a 31-yard touchdown run, and the Broncos kept answering whenever the Rams attempted to make the game interesting.

Boise State finished with 669 yards of total offense, the eighth-highest single-game total in program history. The Broncos rushed for 352 yards, averaged eight yards per carry and completed 16 of 19 passes for 317 yards. They scored five rushing touchdowns and four through the air, while punting only once.

Cutforth deserves considerable credit. Filling in for injured starter Maddux Madsen, the senior delivered a career performance, completing 84.2 percent of his passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns without throwing an interception. He added a one-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, giving him five total touchdowns on the night.

His performance was more than simply managing the offense. He attacked downfield, distributed the football and consistently gave his playmakers opportunities to make something happen. Cutforth has now thrown at least three touchdown passes in consecutive games, and his four passing touchdowns marked a career high.

Riley, however, was the headliner.

Dylan Riley Is Making a Heisman Argument

Riley finished with 300 all-purpose yards, just one yard short of Doug Martin’s Boise State single-game record of 301, established against Arizona State in 2011. His production included 192 rushing yards, 88 receiving yards and 20 kickoff-return yards. He scored three touchdowns, two on the ground and one through the air.

The junior’s 73-yard touchdown reception was his fifth play of at least 70 yards this season. Four of those five explosive plays have ended in touchdowns. He also recorded his fourth game of the season with at least 150 rushing yards and has scored a rushing touchdown in seven consecutive games.

Riley entered the weekend leading the nation in rushing, and his performance against Colorado State only strengthened his Heisman Trophy candidacy. He is the engine of an 8-1 Boise State team with legitimate postseason aspirations, and his production has become increasingly difficult for opposing defenses to contain.

After his third touchdown, Riley finally delivered the moment Bronco Nation had been waiting for: the Heisman pose.

Following the game, Riley acknowledged that the celebration had been planned. In comments reported by NewsTalk KBOI and the Associated Press, he explained that his teammates had been encouraging him to strike the pose, and he decided the third touchdown was the right time.

It was a fun moment, but the larger point is serious. Riley is putting together the kind of season that deserves national recognition. He is not simply accumulating yards against opposing defenses; he is creating game-changing plays and carrying a major share of the responsibility for Boise State’s success.

Our Offensive Player of the Game is Dylan Riley.

Harry Stewart III also deserves recognition after an impressive fourth quarter. Stewart rushed for 89 yards on nine carries and scored twice, including a 43-yard touchdown run that demonstrated his ability to turn a routine opportunity into a major gain. His effectiveness gives Boise State another option in the backfield, particularly with Sire Gaines unavailable.

I also thought Stewart looked more effective than Juelz Goff in the opportunities I watched, especially in a role that requires filling some of the production and physical presence Boise State has missed with Gaines out. That is a personnel conversation worth watching as the Broncos move forward.

The Defensive Concern Has Not Gone Away

For all the offensive fireworks, I cannot walk away from this game without addressing the defense. Boise State made stops, created some disruption and had stretches when the unit looked settled. But the recurring problem with explosive plays remains unresolved, and Colorado State exposed it again.

One sequence stood out. Jake Ripp missed a tackle on a long Colorado State play, and Jaden Mickey had to make a saving effort to prevent what could have been an immediate touchdown. Mickey’s recovery was important, but the Rams ultimately scored on that possession.

That is the frustrating part. A teammate can make an outstanding recovery, but the defense cannot continually rely on someone else to erase a breakdown. Against better offenses, one missed tackle or one coverage mistake can turn into seven points before the defense has an opportunity to regroup.

Colorado State finished with 513 yards of total offense, including 306 passing yards. The Rams generated multiple explosive gains and scored 38 points. Boise State allowed touchdowns in both the third and fourth quarters, and the defense surrendered 28 second-half points.

Logan Brantley was a bright spot. He matched his career high with six tackles, added a pass breakup and consistently contributed to the defensive effort. Our Defensive Player of the Game is Logan Brantley.

But one individual performance cannot disguise the larger concern. Boise State needs more consistent tackling, better communication and improved coverage discipline. Bo Phelps also had moments when reading the backfield and finishing tackles became a problem, allowing Colorado State to turn opportunities into additional yardage. The secondary, meanwhile, must find a way to limit the chunk plays that have repeatedly put pressure on the defense.

Following the game, head coach Spencer Danielson did not shy away from the issue. In his postgame comments reported by NewsTalk KBOI, Danielson said, “We’ve got to execute better,” acknowledging that the Broncos have had stretches of good defense followed by stretches of poor execution. He added that the staff has to evaluate the film, improve and continue growing the unit.

That honesty is necessary, but the work has to show up on the field.

The Quarterback Debate Is Coming, but My Answer Is Maddux Madsen

With Danielson indicating that Madsen will be back from his knee injury and start against Oregon State, the conversation among Bronco Nation is going to intensify. Cutforth has delivered two impressive performances, and his 317-yard, five-touchdown outing against Colorado State gives supporters plenty of reasons to argue that he deserves to keep the job.

I understand the debate. Cutforth has earned respect, and Boise State is fortunate to have a senior capable of stepping into a difficult situation and producing at this level. But my opinion remains that Maddux Madsen is the starter when healthy.

As I detailed in my previous article, Madsen’s career résumé includes 8,267 passing yards, 655 completions and 64 touchdown passes at the time of that discussion. His career record as a starter was 20-7, including a 14-1 mark against conference opponents. Those numbers reflect more than individual production. They represent experience, consistency and a proven ability to lead Boise State to victories.

Madsen has arguably become the most polarizing quarterback in Boise State history, with much of the criticism centered on his frame. I believe that conversation has too often overshadowed what he actually brings to the position. His accuracy, poise, command of the offensive system, decision-making and leadership are qualities that matter when evaluating a starting quarterback.

Before suffering the knee injury against Texas State, Madsen was completing 88 percent of his passes in that game. His career production and conference record provide additional evidence that he has earned the opportunity to lead this team when healthy.

Cutforth has made the competition interesting. That is a good problem for Boise State to have. But one outstanding stretch does not erase the body of work Madsen has established throughout his career. My choice is Maddux.

College GameDay Is Coming. So Is a Major Test.

The announcement Sunday that ESPN’s College GameDay is coming to Boise State makes next Saturday even bigger. The three-hour live show will air from campus from 7 to 10 a.m. Mountain Time on Nov. 14, ahead of the Broncos’ 4 p.m. matchup with Oregon State. It will be the program’s second visit to Boise, following the memorable 2010 appearance when the Broncos hosted the Beavers.

The timing could hardly be more significant. Boise State is now 8-1 and 5-0 in conference play, has secured its 29th consecutive winning season and sits at No. 25 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings. The latest November 8 polls place the Broncos at No. 17 in the AP Poll and No. 18 in the Coaches Poll. They remain the highest-ranked non-autonomy program in the CFP rankings and occupy the position reserved for the top Group of Six contender.

But Oregon State presents a different challenge than Colorado State. The Beavers bring a dangerous passing attack, led by quarterback Braden Atkinson and elite freshman receiver Jesse Legree. Legree has already surpassed 1,200 receiving yards this season, while Atkinson entered the week leading the nation in passing yards. That combination should command the full attention of Boise State’s defensive staff.

I am excited for the national spotlight, the atmosphere and the opportunity to showcase the Iconic Blue in front of the country. But I am also concerned. Bronco Nation has watched this defense allow explosive plays too frequently, and the next opponent has the personnel to make those mistakes costly.

The offense is rolling. Riley is playing like a national award candidate. Cutforth has proven he can deliver, and Madsen’s expected return gives the Broncos another major storyline. The defense has playmakers, and Brantley’s performance against Colorado State was encouraging.

Still, the standard for this team has to be higher than simply outscoring opponents.

Boise State has the opportunity to turn a remarkable season into something historic. College GameDay will bring the attention, Oregon State will bring the challenge, and the Iconic Blue will provide the stage.

Now the Broncos must prove they are ready for it.