Boise State Broncos vs Colorado State Rams Match Player Stats On Oct 10, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Oct 10, 2015

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- No. 25 Boise State used a big-play offense and opportunistic defense to blow out Colorado State 41-10 on Saturday night at Hughes Stadium.

The Broncos scored first-half touchdowns on plays of 53, 56 and 85 yards and used a 40-yard pass to set up their only touchdown of the third quarter.

The defense contributed two interceptions and a forced fumble, increasing their total takeaways to 13 during the Broncos' four-game winning streak.

True freshman quarterback Brett Rypien faced more defensive pressure than he has in his young career but made some timely throws just before he was hit. Rypien topped 300 passing yards for the second time in three starts, setting a career high with 339.

Sophomore tailback Jeremy McNichols added his second 100-yard rushing game (104 yards), 77 receiving yards and two touchdowns before leaving after a hit to the head.

Junior wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck made five catches for 178 yards and two scores.

Boise State improved to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the Mountain West going into a key Mountain Division game Friday night at Utah State. Colorado State slipped to 2-4, 0-2, in its first season under coach Mike Bobo.

Boise State stormed out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter.

The defense forced a three-and-out and the offense went 72 yards in five plays, capped by wide receiver Shane Williams-Rhodes' 53-yard touchdown connection to Sperbeck on a double pass. It was a new twist on a Boise State favorite because Sperbeck usually throws the ball on that play.

Broncos safety Darian Thompson forced a fumble two plays later to set up a Tyler Rausa field goal for a 10-0 lead.

After another Rams three-and-out, McNichols broke a 56-yard touchdown run for a 17-0 lead.

The Colorado State offense got untracked on the ensuing possession. The Rams marched 75 yards in 16 plays, converting two fourth-and-1s.

On third-and-12 at the Boise State 13-yard line, wide receiver Joe Hansley was open in the front of the end zone and hauled in a touchdown pass from backup quarterback Coleman Key, who took over on the third possession.

The Broncos answered the Rams' touchdown in one play -- a nice throw by Rypien to Sperbeck on a deep crossing route. Sperbeck ran away from the defense for an 85-yard score.

Colorado State made it 24-10 on a 62-yard drive that ended with a field goal.

The Broncos pulled ahead 27-10 on a field goal on the final play of the half.

NOTES: Boise State RB Jeremy McNichols scored his 13th touchdown of the season in the first half. He entered the game with the national lead. ... Former Boise State RB Jay Ajayi, a rookie with the Miami Dolphins, traveled with the team to and from Boise. ... Colorado State's 17-point halftime deficit was its largest of the year. ... Colorado State WR Rashard Higgins caught a pass in his 31st straight game. He has at least one reception in every game of his college career. ... Boise State S Darian Thompson tied a Mountain West record in the third quarter with his 18th career interception.