Boise State spent most of the night making No. 2 Oregon work for everything it got. In the end, though, the Broncos couldn’t close the gap, falling 34-27 after the Ducks pulled ahead for good late in the fourth quarter.
The Broncos were in front for the entire first half and took a tie game into the final quarter, but Oregon found enough offense down the stretch to escape with the win. Boise State had a final shot after Bol Bol came up with a crucial third-down sack with 2:32 left, yet the comeback drive never got moving.
Maddux Madsen was sharp in the spotlight, throwing three touchdown passes while completing 15 of 29 throws for 181 yards. Freshman Rasean Jones led the receivers with four catches for 76 yards, and Travis Anderson turned in a career-best 11 tackles on defense.
Boise State came out fast with a 75-yard opening drive that ended when Madsen connected with Cam Bates on a 13-yard touchdown. Oregon answered with a 50-yard drive early in the second quarter to tie it at seven, but the Broncos seized momentum again after Arthur de Boachie recovered a muffed punt at the Oregon 38. One snap later, Madsen hit Sire Gaines on a 38-yard screen for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead with more than 10 minutes left before halftime.
Oregon cut the margin to 17-14 just before the break, then opened the third quarter with 10 straight points to move in front 24-17. Boise State responded with an eight-play, 75-yard march that ended with a fourth-down touchdown catch by Matt Wagner to knot the game at 24.
The Ducks opened the fourth quarter with a field goal, and Boise State matched it with a 36-yard kick with 8:45 to go. Oregon answered immediately, needing just two plays to break loose for a 62-yard touchdown reception and a 34-27 lead with 7:51 remaining.
From there, Boise State’s offense stalled, Oregon tried to drain the clock, and Bol’s sack briefly gave the Broncos life. But the final possession came up empty, and the Ducks walked away with the seven-point victory.
There were other standout performances in the loss. Boen Phelps and Derek Ganter Jr. each posted tackles totals that matched their previous career highs, with Phelps finishing at eight and Ganter at seven.
Madsen’s three-touchdown outing was the seventh time in his career he has thrown for at least three scores. He also climbed to seventh in program history in career passing yards, finishing with 6,767 and moving past Hank Bachmeier (2019-22), who had 6,605.
Jones’ production also landed in the record book. His four catches for 76 yards marked the sixth time in program history that a freshman wide receiver has posted at least four receptions and 75 receiving yards.
The loss dropped Boise State to 3-2 all-time against Oregon, with both defeats coming by one possession.
Boise State returns home for its opener against Memphis on Saturday, Sept. 12.
The game will be shown nationally on USA Sports and is set for 4 p.m. MT.
In Other News...
Boise States Brutal Travel Day Raises A Bigger Concern Before Kickoff
Boise States trip to Eugene turned into a long day of delays before the Broncos even got to think about kickoff, with weather and runway conditions at Eugene Airport forcing the charter to abort its landing attempts. The flight was diverted to Portland instead, and the team had to regroup there before continuing on by bus to Eugene, a detour that pushed arrival back nearly seven hours from what had been planned.
The travel hiccup added an unwelcome layer to a game week that already carried enough moving parts on its own. Between the aborted landing, the bus ride and the extra time spent huddled in meetings at the Portland airport, Boise State lost more than just hours on the clock, and the bigger concern now is how much a disrupted arrival can affect everything that follows once the Broncos finally settle in. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Hijacked Oregons Tradition And Ducks Players Clearly Felt It
During Boise States game against Oregon, the Broncos added an extra layer of edge to a matchup already full of emotion by making a point of dancing to the Ducks longtime fourth-quarter song, Shout. Oregon has used the tune as a tradition since 2010, so seeing a visiting team turn it into its own sideline celebration was bound to get attention, especially in a game where the atmosphere already had a little bite.
Oregon players reacted in different ways, with some clearly taking it as disrespect and others viewing it as the kind of move a team uses to spark itself late in a game. Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said the idea had been planned during fall camp as a way to keep the group joyful and focused in the fourth quarter, which only adds another layer to a moment that clearly landed with both teams. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Helped Spark A New Oregon Secondary Debate
Davon Benjamins college debut came with a little more spotlight than most freshmen get. The Oregon cornerback got his first taste of game action against Boise State in the Ducks season opener and, even without a gaudy stat line, managed to make his presence felt on defense while playing a limited role.
Afterward, Dan Lanning pointed to Benjamins instincts, versatility and work ethic, all the kinds of traits that can quickly turn a young defensive back from promising newcomer into a real part of the conversation. A four-star recruit who drew attention during fall camp, Benjamin has already put enough on tape to make Oregons secondary look like a spot worth monitoring closely in the weeks ahead. [Read more 🡒]