BOISE STATE POUNDS NEW MEXICO, HEADS TO UTAH STATE

BY KITK STAFF AND BOISE STATE MEDIA SERVICES

BOISE – Seniors Sonatane Lui and Jaylon Henderson provided early sparks on Senior Night, and No. 19 Boise State closed out its regular season at home with a 42-9 victory over New Mexico on Saturday night at Albertsons Stadium.

Lui, a nose tackle, returned a fumble 24 yards for a touchdown on the Lobos’ first offensive play. He picked up a second fumble recovery later in the game, which attracted 31,492 fans.

Henderson, the Broncos’ third-string quarterback and a graduate transfer making his first Boise State start, completed 15-of-28 passes for 292 yards and three TDs. Henderson’s opening drive covered 97 yards in eight plays, ending with a 17-yard run from wide receiver Octavius Evans. Henderson was intercepted once and sacked twice. Hank Bachmeier and Chase Cord did not play because of injuries.

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Boise State scored 28 points in the first quarter – its most since a 2010 victory over the Idaho Vandals. The Broncos outgained the Lobos (2-8, 0-6) 509-292.

Boise State also got touchdowns from Khalil Shakir (18-yard pass from Henderson), John Hightower (51-yard pass from Henderson), Andrew Van Buren (8-yard pass from Henderson) and Garrett Collingham (2-yard pass from Shakir).

George Holani led Boise State in rushing with 73 yards on seven carries, all in the first half.

Boise State finished the game without junior STUD Curtis Weaver, the Mountain West’s all-time sack leader and projected NFL Draft pick. He was helped off the field late in the second quarter and returned to the sideline in the second half with a walking boot on his right foot.

NOTES: Senior defensive end Chase Hatada forced the Lobos’ fumble that turned into the Lui touchdown. It was Hatada’s third career forced fumble and his second this season (Air Force). It was the first career TD for Lui, and the Broncos’ first defensive TD this season. Hatada also had four tackles for loss. … Boise State has started three QBs in a season for the first time since 1993 (Danny Langsdorf, Lee Schrack and Tony Hilde). … Evans is the fourth wide receiver to score on the ground this season. … Holani, a true freshman, ripped off a 50-yard run in the first quarter, the longest of his season/career. … Hightower caught four passes for 124 yards, all in the first half. …  Van Buren’s TD catch in the third quarter was the first receiving score of his career. … The 33-point margin of victory is the largest at home against a Mountain West Mountain Division opponent in the coach Bryan Harsin era. … Boise State won its 13th straight game against a MW Mountain Division opponent, and its home winning streak against division foes now stands at 10. … The Broncos won their 118th consecutive game at home when leading after three quarters, the longest active streak in the country. … The attendance was 31,492, and Boise State finishes the home schedule with a season average of 33,488 (sixth highest in Boise State history).

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