Boise, Idaho-----Boise State’s big plays on offense and special teams in the first three quarters resulted in a 42-7 victory over San Jose State in a Western Athletic Conference game.
The #21-Broncos (8-1, 5-0 WAC) had two punt returns for 30 or more yards, a 51-yard kickoff return near the end of the first half and a pair of scoring plays of more than 35 yards in their eighth straight victory over the Spartans (3-6, 2-3 WAC).
Boise State won the game even though San Jose State had the game's two takeaways on a fumble recovery in the end zone by linebacker Demetrius Jones after Travis Jones' hit on a pass reception at the San Jose State 1-yard line by Boise State's Titus Young and a Christopher Owens second-half pass interception, no Spartan turnovers and not one penalty against San Jose State.
After a scoreless first quarter, Boise State struck for 21 second-quarter points capped by a play of 30 or more yards in each scoring drive. The Broncos got on the scoreboard first on a 37-yard touchdown run by halfback Jeremy Avery, who had been the fill-in for the injured Ian Johnson. Avery took a pitch from quarterback Tyler Tharp outside the right hash mark and broke the play back into the middle of the field for a touchdown.
Boise State extended its lead to 14-0 with a 44-yard scoring pass from Tharp to tight end Ryan Putnam, who was left uncovered after safety Andrew Ryan missed his attempt at an interception.
San Jose State answered with a 12-play, 72-yard drive capped by a 4-yard pass from Adam Tafralis to Kevin Jurovich. Tafralis was 3-of-4 hitting Jalal Beauchman and Brian Elledge for first downs before connecting with Jurovich for the score. The Spartans also were the beneficiary of two 15-yard penalties against the Broncos during the drive.
Boise State closed out the first half scoring with Tharp’s second touchdown pass of the quarter a 12-yard play to wide receiver Austin Pettis, who later caught a touchdown pass in the third quarter. A 51-yard kickoff return by Austin Smith set up a short field for the Broncos, who needed only six plays to get into the end zone.
Sustaining the offense was a struggle for the Spartans who managed just 13 first downs and were 2-of-14 in third-down conversions. Tafralis, 11-of-19 for only 77 yards, was sacked three times by a blitzing Boise State defense. San Jose State gained 150 yards compared to Boise State's 434.
Running back Ian Johnson of the Broncos, who missed Boise State’s last two games, returned to action and scored twice in the second half on runs of 1 and 6 yards.
Tharp finished the game completing 28-of-35 for 259 yards, three touchdownsand the Christopher Owens inerception.