Boise State’s offense didn’t click like it had in recent weeks, but the Broncos, with a great effort from their defense, did enough to withstand a late rally from Fresno State and win the Mountain West championship, 28-14.
In addition to a conference title, the 22nd-ranked Broncos – in their first season under Bryan Harsin – will likely represent the Group of Five in a College Football Playoff bowl game.
Boise fifth-year senior quarterback Grant Hedrick completed 9-of-16 passes for 155 yards, but he also gained 81 yards on the ground and reeled off touchdown runs and 20 and 21 yards on the night. In addition to Hedrick, Tailback Jay Ajayi saw 22 carries for just 70 yards, but the 216-pound junior found the end zone on a 9-yard scamper in the second quarter.
Boise jumped out to an early lead, but Fresno made BSU earn the win down the stretch. Hedrick scored on a run on the Broncos’ first drive, and linebacker Tanner Vallejo picked off Fresno’s Brian Burrell later in the first quarter and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown.
Ajayi’s 9-yard score capped off an 11-play, 72-yard drive in the second quarter to give Boise a 21-0 lead at halftime. Then, Hedrick scored his second touchdown to open up the second half.
Up 28-0, the Broncos looked to be completely in control, but the Bulldogs managed to make things interesting.
Fresno first got on the board on a two-yard TD run by Josh Quezada late in the third. After the teams traded punts, Fresno cut the lead to 28-14 on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Burrell (30-of-45, 332 yards) to Greg Watson. The Bulldogs then managed to recover an onside kick with 5:31 left in regulation.
The Bulldogs worked their way into Boise territory after the kick recovery, but the Broncos forced Fresno to turn it over on downs. Fresno regained possession one last time, but an interception by Beau Martin – Burrell’s third of the game – sealed the win for the Broncos.
The win over Fresno is the eighth straight for Boise, now 11-2. With the Mountain West title in its back pocket, Boise will be the highest-ranked team from the Group of Five (AAC, C-USA, MAC, MWC, Sun Belt) conferences. That distinction earns the Broncos a spot in one of the six College Football Playoff bowl games.
Barring any unforseen circumstances, Harsin’s team should receive a bid to the Fiesta Bowl or Peach Bowl on Dec. 31 or the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1.
For more Boise State news, visit Blue-Turf.com.
For more Fresno State news, visit FSBulldogs.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
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