Everyone wants to know what was the score of the boise state game, but if you’re a Broncos fan, the final digits on the scoreboard usually tell only half the story. Boise State football isn’t just about a win or a loss; it’s about that blue turf, the chaotic trick plays, and the way they seem to make every fourth quarter feel like a heart attack in the making.
Whether you missed the live broadcast because of a late kickoff or you're just trying to settle a bet with a buddy, the score is the starting point. But honestly, in the Mountain West, things get weird fast.
The Final Score and Why It Matters
In their most recent high-stakes outing—the 2024 Mountain West Championship—Boise State defeated UNLV with a final score of 45-21.
It wasn't even as close as the score looked for a minute there. Ashton Jeanty, the guy everyone is talking about for the Heisman, basically put the team on his back like he’s been doing all year. He finished that game with 209 rushing yards and a touchdown, which is just standard business for him at this point. If you were looking for the score of the Boise State game because you heard about the CFP rankings, this win was the "golden ticket" that secured their spot in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.
Think about that for a second. A Group of Five school finally getting a seat at the big table because they took care of business on their own terms.
But maybe you aren't looking for the championship game. Maybe you’re thinking about that nail-biter against Oregon earlier in the season. That one ended 37-34 in favor of the Ducks. Boise State lost, sure, but they proved they could hang with the absolute elite of the Big Ten. It’s those kinds of scores that define a season. You don’t just look at the "L" and move on; you look at the fact that Boise was leading in the fourth quarter in Eugene. That's gutsy.
Digging Into the Stats Behind the Points
A score is just a number until you see how it got there. Maddux Madsen has been the steady hand at quarterback, which surprised some people who thought Malachi Nelson might take the reins early on. Madsen isn't flashy, but he's efficient.
In the win over UNLV, he didn't have to throw for 400 yards because the ground game was so dominant.
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The defense deserves some love too. People forget that Boise State’s pass rush has been top-tier. Ahmed Hassanein is a nightmare for offensive coordinators. When you see a score like 45-21, you might think it’s all offense, but the Broncos' ability to get off the field on third down is what allowed the offense to keep pounding the rock.
Why the "Blue Turf" Advantage is Real
There’s this weird psychological thing that happens when teams play in Boise. The "Smurf Turf." Opposing kickers have actually talked about how the blue surface messes with their depth perception.
Is it an excuse? Probably.
Does it work? Look at the home record.
Since the blue turf was installed in 1986, Boise State has one of the highest home winning percentages in all of college football. It’s not just a gimmick; it’s an identity. When you ask what was the score of the boise state game, and they’re playing at Albertsons Stadium, the odds are heavily tilted in favor of the home team. They play faster there. They hit harder.
What Most People Get Wrong About Boise State’s Schedule
There’s this persistent myth that Boise State "plays nobody." It’s a tired narrative.
Look at their 2024 slate. They played Oregon. They played Washington State. They ran through a Mountain West conference that was significantly more competitive than people gave it credit for. When you see a lopsided score in a Boise game, it’s usually not because the opponent is "trash," but because the Broncos' system is designed to exploit specific mismatches that stay consistent across decades.
It’s the coaching. Spencer Danielson took over under some pretty heavy clouds after Andy Avalos was let go, and he’s basically become a folk hero in Idaho. He’s the first coach to lead a team to a conference title after being an interim in the same season. That’s insane. The players clearly run through walls for the guy. You can see it in the way they celebrate after every touchdown—even when they’re up by three scores.
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The Ashton Jeanty Factor
You can't talk about the score of a Boise State game without talking about number 2.
Ashton Jeanty is arguably the best pure runner the school has ever had, and yeah, that includes Ian Johnson and Jay Ajayi. Jeanty broke the single-season rushing record for the school this year.
His impact on the score is direct. He’s a "home run" hitter. You can hold him to two yards, three yards, and then—boom—75-yard touchdown. Suddenly, a 14-14 deadlock becomes a 21-14 lead, and the momentum shifts entirely. Defenses have to stack eight or nine guys in the box just to slow him down, which opens up the play-action pass for Madsen. It's a "pick your poison" scenario that most Mountain West teams just didn't have the personnel to solve.
Looking Ahead to the Playoff Scoreboard
So, the Broncos are in the playoffs. What’s the score going to look like when they face a powerhouse like Ohio State or Texas?
History tells us not to count them out. Everyone remembers the 2007 Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma. The Statue of Liberty play. The hook-and-lateral. That 43-42 score is burned into the brain of every college football fan over the age of 25.
Boise State thrives in the underdog role. They like it when people ask "what was the score of the boise state game" with a tone of surprise. They want to be the team that crashes the party.
The 12-team playoff format is basically built for a team like this. They have the star power in Jeanty, the tactical discipline in Danielson, and the chip on their shoulder that comes from being from "the little school in Idaho."
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How to Stay Updated on Live Scores
If you’re trying to keep track of the Broncos in real-time, there are a few ways that are better than just a standard Google search.
- The Bronco Sports App: It’s actually pretty decent for live stats and play-by-play.
- Local Boise Radio: If you can stream KBOI or KTIK, the local calls are way more passionate than the national broadcasts.
- Twitter (X): Follow the official @BroncoSportsFB account. They post score updates almost instantly after every scoring drive.
Honestly, the best way to experience it is just to watch. There’s something about the way the light hits that blue turf during a night game that makes the score feel more important than it actually is. It’s pure college football.
Practical Steps for Fans
If you're following the team through the postseason, keep an eye on the injury reports. Jeanty took a lot of hits this season, and his health is the single biggest factor in what the final score will be in any given matchup. Also, watch the weather. Boise is used to the cold, but when they travel to bowl games in warmer climates, the fast-paced turf speed sometimes translates differently to natural grass.
Check the official NCAA scoreboard for historical data if you're looking for scores from earlier in the season, like the 56-14 blowout against San Diego State or the gritty 28-21 win over Nevada. Every game has its own flavor.
Don't just look at the win/loss column. Look at the "points for" versus "points against." Boise State's margin of victory this year has been one of the most impressive in the country, which is why the CFP committee couldn't ignore them. They didn't just win; they dominated.
Go Broncos.
Next Steps for Boise State Followers:
- Verify the Playoff Seedings: Check the latest CFP bracket to see who Boise State is scheduled to play next and where the game will be hosted.
- Review Player Draft Stocks: Keep an eye on NFL mock drafts to see where Ashton Jeanty and Ahmed Hassanein are projected to go; their performance in the next game will heavily influence their professional futures.
- Secure Tickets Early: If you plan on traveling for the playoff game, booking through the Boise State athletic department's official portal usually offers better section seating with fellow fans than third-party resellers.