BOISE STATE FOOTBALL: Broncos Smother UConn With Historic Performance At Albertsons Stadium; Head To Oklahoma State For Season-Defining Game

BY KTIK STAFF
& BSU MEDIA SERVICES

The Boise State football team produced one of the most dominant offensive performances in school history Saturday night, crushing UConn 62-7 in the home opener at Albertsons Stadium (attendance: 34,515). The Broncos (2-0) face their biggest battle of the season next Saturday – at 2-0 Oklahoma State on Saturday (1:30 p.m., ESPN).

The historic numbers from the UConn victory:

Boise State set a program single-game record for total offense, putting up 818 yards (previous mark was 742 yards against Colorado State on Oct. 15, 2011).

The Broncos fell four yards shy of equaling the single-game Mountain West record for total offense. Boise State actually tied the mark (822) with just over a minute left in the game, but kneeled twice, each for a two-yard loss, to finish at 818 yards.

Boise State’s 400 rushing yards are the sixth-most in program single-game history.

The Broncos averaged 8.88 yards per carry (400 yards on 45 carries), the fourth-highest per-carry average in school single-game history.

Boise State’s 62 points marked its first 60-point game since beating Wyoming 63-14 in Laramie on Nov. 22, 2014. It was Boise State’s first 60-point home game since a 60-7 win over Southern Mississippi on Sept. 28, 2013.

Boise State has scored at least 50 points in each of its first two games for the second time in school history (2004). The Broncos opened the 2004 season scoring 65 and 53 points against Idaho and Oregon State, respectively.

The Broncos tied the program record for most points scored over the first two games of a season, totaling 118 (56 at Troy, 62 Saturday night). The Broncos also scored 118 points over the first two games of 2004 (65 against Idaho, 53 against Oregon State).

Boise State’s 24-point first quarter was its highest-scoring quarter since putting up 28 points in the second quarter at New Mexico on Oct. 7, 2016.

The Broncos’ 41 first-half points were their most since putting up 42 in the first half at New Mexico on Oct. 7, 2016.

Three Broncos scored their first-career touchdowns: junior wide receiver John Hightower, redshirt sophomore tight end John Bates and freshman running back Andrew Van Buren.

Senior quarterback Brett Rypien tied Kellen Moore (2008-11) for most career 300-yard passing games all-time, posting his 16th as he finished with 362 yards and three touchdowns on 21-of-28 passing.

Hightower finished the contest with 119 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches, and carried once for 55 yards and a touchdown. He had five catches for 119 yards at halftime, the second-straight game the Broncos had a receiver eclipse 100 yards receiving by the break (Sean Modster had six catches and 161 yards last week against Troy).

Redshirt senior wide receiver A.J. Richardson finished with three catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. His score was a 74-yard catch-and-run on the first play of the second half.

With both Hightower (119 receiving yards) and Richardson (100) hitting the century mark, the Broncos had their first game of 2018 with two 100-yard receivers. The last time this happened was Nov. 18, 2017 against Air Force, when Richardson (123 yards) and Cedrick Wilson (107) each reached 100 yards.

Junior running back Alexander Mattison recorded his sixth-career 100-yard rushing game, finishing with 115 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.

Freshman running back Andrew Van Buren finished the game with 75 yards and a touchdown, the first of his career, on 13 carries.

Redshirt senior running back Skyler Seibold, a converted safety, rushed for 35 yards on seven carries in the first offensive action of his career.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Chase Cord threw the first touchdown pass of his collegiate career, a 24-yard shovel pass to Akilian Butler, and finished the game 4-for-5 for 56 yards and a touchdown, along with 41 rushing yards on two carries.

Junior quarterback Jaylon Henderson made his Boise State debut, rushing for 30 yards on four carries.

Redshirt sophomore cornerback Avery Williams made his first interception of the season, and third of his career, in he first quarter.

Haden Hoggarth converted two field goal attempts, including a career-long 44-yarder in the second quarter. Hoggarth opened the scoring with a 28-yard field goal on the Broncos’ opening drive.

For the third time in his career, Hoggarth went a perfect 8-for-8 on PATs.

Akilian Butler (WR), Chase Hatada (DT) and John Hightower (WR) earned the first starts of their careers.

Linebacker Desmond Williams led the Broncos onto the field with The Hammer, running back Alexander Mattison carried the “Bleed Blue” flag, and linebacker Riley Whimpey carried the United States flag.