If you turned off the TV after the Mountain West Championship, you might've thought the Boise State season ended on the highest note possible. But college football is rarely that tidy. The final boise state football game score of the 2025 season actually came from the LA Bowl, and honestly, it wasn't the ending most fans in the Treasure Valley were banking on. Washington ended up taking that one 38-10.
It was a cold reality check in the bright lights of SoFi Stadium.
What Really Happened in the LA Bowl?
The scoreboard looked lopsided. 38-10. It feels like a blowout because, well, by the fourth quarter, it definitely was. But the first half told a slightly different story. Boise State’s defense, led by the relentless pressure of Ahmed Hassanein and Jayden Virgin-Morgan, actually kept things tight early on. They were scrappy. They forced a few punts. But the offense just couldn't find a rhythm against a Big Ten-bound Washington squad that looked faster and deeper at almost every position.
Maddux Madsen struggled. He's been the heart of this team, but the Huskies' secondary was suffocating. By the time the third quarter rolled around, the gas tank was empty. Washington poured on 17 points in the final frame alone, turning a competitive-ish game into a bit of a laugher for the purple and gold.
Why the Mountain West Championship Was the Real Peak
Even though the bowl game left a sour taste, you can't talk about the boise state football game score without mentioning the December 5th masterpiece against UNLV. That was the game that mattered for the history books.
Boise State won 38-21.
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It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Albertsons Stadium was rocking, and the Blue Turf felt like a fortress again. UNLV had been talking a big game all season, but Spencer Danielson had his guys ready.
Maddux Madsen was electric that night, throwing for over 250 yards and finding Latrell Caples for a couple of crucial touchdowns. The defense recorded five sacks. It was vintage Boise State—hard-nosed, tactical, and slightly disrespectful to anyone who thought the Mountain West crown was leaving Idaho.
A Quick Look at the 2025 Campaign
The season was a rollercoaster. People forget that it started with a thumping at South Florida (7-34). Everyone panicked. Then they won three straight. Then they lost to Notre Dame.
- The Highs: Smashing UNLV twice (once in the regular season, once for the trophy) and a gritty 25-24 win over Utah State.
- The Lows: That weird 7-30 loss to Fresno State at home. Nobody saw that coming.
The Broncos finished 9-5 overall. Not elite by their historic 12-win standards, but they got the ring. That's what people remember.
The Stats That Defined the Scoreboards
If you look at the season-long numbers, it’s clear why the scores fluctuated so much. Maddux Madsen finished the year with 2,334 passing yards and 18 touchdowns. Respectable? Yes. He also threw 9 interceptions, some of which came at the absolute worst moments in those losses to San Diego State and Fresno State.
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The ground game was interesting too. With Ashton Jeanty's legendary status casting a long shadow, Malik Sherrod had to pick up a lot of the dirty work. He wasn't Jeanty, but he was reliable. The defense, though? That’s where the wins were manufactured. They led the nation in sacks at one point, finishing with a staggering 55 on the season.
Looking Ahead to the Big Move
The 2025 season was essentially the end of an era. As we sit here in January 2026, the buzz isn't about the last boise state football game score; it’s about the next one. Specifically, the September 5, 2026, opener against Oregon.
This isn't just a non-conference game anymore. It’s the first step into a new world. With the Pac-12 (or what remains and is being rebuilt) becoming their new home, the stakes have shifted.
Coach Spencer Danielson has already been busy. He just promoted Jabril Frazier to Run Game Coordinator. He also brought in Josh Price from Oregon State to lead the sports performance staff. They are bulking up because they know the "Blue Collar" mentality has to scale up if they’re going to survive a schedule that now includes perennial powers.
Breaking Down the 2026 Opener
Going into Autzen Stadium is a nightmare for anyone. Oregon is coming off a College Football Playoff semifinal run. They’ve got Dante Moore returning at QB, a guy who might be the first overall pick in the NFL Draft eventually.
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Basically, if Boise State wants that opening score to be in their favor, the defense has to be even better than the 2025 unit that terrorized the Mountain West. Maddux Madsen will be a senior. He’s seen it all. He’s played in the big stadiums. But he needs more weapons to emerge this spring if they’re going to keep up with a team like the Ducks.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason
If you're a fan trying to track how the next boise state football game score will look, keep your eyes on these three things over the next few months:
- Transfer Portal Activity: Watch the defensive backfield. The Broncos struggled against high-level passing attacks (like Washington and Notre Dame). They need veteran corners.
- Spring QB Battle: While Madsen is the incumbent, don't sleep on the younger guys like Max Cutforth. If Madsen doesn't show a higher ceiling in March, the staff might look for a spark.
- The "Petersen" Effect: Chris Petersen was just selected for the College Football Hall of Fame. The program is leaning heavily into its "Golden Era" history to recruit. See if that nostalgia translates into 4-star signatures on National Signing Day.
The 2025 season gave us a trophy, a bowl loss, and a lot of questions. But in Boise, the expectations never actually drop. They just get louder.
For the most accurate updates on future scores and roster moves, the official Bronco Sports site remains the gold standard, alongside the local beat reporting from the Idaho Press. Keep those bookmarks ready; the jump to the Pac-12 is going to be a wild ride.