Boise State is rolling early this season, but another familiar road test awaits as the Broncos head to Fresno to face a rival that has had their number.
No. 23 Boise State improved to 4-1 by opening Pac-12 play with a 37-18 win over Utah State on Saturday night, fueled by a 28-point first half. On the opening drive, quarterback Maddux Madsen hit Rasean Jones for a 63-yard gain before Dylan Riley finished the drive with a 5-yard rushing touchdown. Madsen later connected with tight end Matt Wagner for an 11-yard touchdown to make it 14-0, and Riley extended the lead to 21-0 with a 33-yard run. Just before halftime, Jake Ripp intercepted a tipped ball and returned it for a touchdown.
“We know football is a game of momentum. Momentum is created by execution. But we got to be able to be consistent throughout an entire four quarters,” Boise State Head Coach Spencer Danielson said. “I thought there was a lot of really good football on the field by our team. But there’s still some things on the field that we got to find a way to tighten up.”
Next up is the annual Milk Can game against Fresno State, with both teams entering 4-1 and each owning a Pac-12 win. Fresno State has beaten Boise State three straight times. The last meeting ended in a 30-7 Fresno State win that snapped Boise State’s 16-game home winning streak.
“Ever since 22. We’ve just gotten beat. So, call that what you want to call it,” Danielson said. “I remember 22 the championship game brutal experience. I remember very clearly in 23 going down there. Brutal experience losing the football game last season we lost 30 to 7. I mean it wasn’t even close.”
The game will be played in Fresno late Saturday night, with kickoff set for 8:30 p.m. local time. It will be televised on The CW. Fresno State currently holds the Milk Can.