The Pac-12 finally put together the kind of week it has been waiting for.
After a rough start to the 2026 season, the league closed Week 3 with a 3-0 record against FCS opponents and a 2-3 mark against FBS competition. The highlight was Boise State surviving a stiff test from South Dakota, while Oregon State, Washington State, Fresno State and Texas State all delivered wins of their own. The only real blemishes came in losses that never turned into nail-biters.
Boise State had to work for it, but the Broncos did enough late to beat South Dakota 38-24 on Saturday night. The Broncos piled up 325 rushing yards on 48 carries, and Dylan Riley put the game away with an 83-yard touchdown run with one minute and change left. South Dakota entered the matchup ranked No. 12 in the FCS Coaches Poll, but Boise State found its answer in the fourth quarter.
“I am proud of our team finding a way to win, and we’re going to be able to learn a lot of lessons from this win,” Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson said after the game. “But we obviously have a lot of things we have to learn from and grow from.”
Oregon State’s day was much more comfortable. Montana came in ranked No. 2 in the FCS Coaches Poll, but the Beavers rolled to a 52-17 win behind sophomore quarterback Braden Atkinson, who threw for 333 yards and accounted for six total touchdowns. It was the first victory of the JaMarcus Shephard era, and he made sure nobody missed the message.
“I’ll tell you what, everybody needs to start paying attention,” first-year head coach JaMarcus Shephard said after career victory No. 1. “Because something’s going on in Corvallis.
“I'm proud of the first step that we’ve taken. This is the first step of many, and I can’t wait to get ready for the next one.”
Washington State also picked up a milestone win, giving Kirby Moore his first career victory. The Cougars shook off a sluggish first half and took control in a 48-7 rout of Duquesne. Caden Pinnick turned in his best performance of the season, throwing for 196 yards and two touchdowns while adding 76 yards and another score on the ground.
Fresno State handled business on the road, intercepting four Luke Weaver passes and avoiding any turnovers of its own in a 26-10 win at San Jose State. Texas State was even more explosive, putting up 49 points in a 49-35 home win over North Texas. Brad Jackson led that surge with 268 passing yards and four touchdowns.
The losses were less dramatic, and that was the problem.
San Diego State trailed 19-0 at halftime and never recovered in a 26-13 home loss to James Madison. Senior quarterback Jayden Denegal could be on the bench next after another rough outing.
Colorado State was buried early too, falling behind 38-7 after three quarters in a 41-23 home loss to No. 11 BYU. Rams quarterback Hauss Hejny left with a hamstring injury.
No. 17 Utah made sure the week ended on a clean note, blanking Utah State 33-0 at home.
In Other News...
Boise State May Have Found A New Difference Maker On Offense
Boise States 38-24 win over South Dakota came with the usual kind of postgame spotlight on the players who helped tilt the night, but the offense may have also found a new piece it can lean on going forward. Rasean Jones stood out with eight catches for 95 yards and a touchdown, giving the Broncos a reliable target who could do more than just move the chains.
The production around him was just as important, with Canaan Moore staying perfect on field goals and extra points, Boen Phelps leading the team in tackles while making disruptive plays, and Kyle Hall coming up with key stops including a critical pass breakup. Lopez Sanusi also earned an honorable mention for his work up front, and the mix of contributions suggests Boise State is beginning to build real depth on both sides of the ball. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Has One Road Edge That Could Decide This Test
Boise State gets one last non-conference test Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Mountain time, when it heads to Waldo Stadium to face Western Michigan and a defense that has made a habit of keeping scores down. The Broncos are walking into a matchup that should tell them plenty about where they stand before the schedule turns fully toward league play.
Western Michigans defense has been the calling card, allowing an average of 16 points per game and giving Boise State a clear road challenge to solve. For the Broncos, the trip is about more than finishing the non-conference slate cleanly, because this is the kind of game where field position, discipline and a few key plays can swing everything. [Read more 🡒]
Ashton Jeanty Just Gave Boise State Fans A New NFL Reason To Watch
Ashton Jeantys first few weeks with the Raiders have already given Boise State fans another Sunday connection to follow, and Week 2 added a little something different. In a 26-14 road win over the Chargers, the former Bronco handled 21 carries and added four catches, continuing to fit into Las Vegas offense as more than just a straight-ahead runner.
The most eye-catching moment came on a flea-flicker, when Jeanty completed a pass to Kirk Cousins that turned into a 27-yard gain and helped set up a touchdown. For Boise State followers keeping tabs on the NFL pipeline, it was the kind of play that stands out even in a busy slate, especially with other former Broncos also turning in their own performances around the league in Week 2. [Read more 🡒]