BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Maddux Madsen delivered four first-half touchdowns and Boise State claimed its third straight Mountain West Conference championship, overpowering UNLV 38–21 on Saturday in the final title game the Broncos will play before leaving for the rebuilt Pac-12 in 2026.
Madsen tore through the Rebels early. He stacked up 196 total yards, opening with a 10-yard keeper and adding touchdown throws to Dylan Riley, Cameron Bates and Malik Sherrod as the Broncos (9-4) built a 28–14 lead. Sherrod’s 39-yard score came one snap after a UNLV fumble.
UNLV (10-3), in its first season under head coach Dan Mullen, fought back behind quarterback Anthony Colandrea. He led a 95-yard march capped by his 5-yard touchdown run and later found Troy Omeire from 11 yards out to keep the Rebels within two scores at the half. JoJo Earle’s 7-yard run cut the deficit to 28–21 late in the third.
The Broncos forced three consecutive stops to open the fourth quarter and turned a 78-yard drive into Sire Gaines’ 1-yard touchdown run for a 35–21 cushion with 13:21 left. Colton Boomer’s 50-yard field goal sealed the margin.
Madsen finished with 289 yards passing, while the Broncos outgained UNLV 460–409 and never trailed.
Boise State also beat the Broncos, 56–31, in October.
___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up hereand here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
-
UNLV stays perfect with win over Wyoming after hail storm in Laramie
UNLV overcame hail and history Saturday night, beating Wyoming 31–17 to start 5–0 for the first time in five decades.
Alex OrJi out for the season
Rebels quarterback Alex OrJi suffered a season-ending injury in the UNLV's 30-23 win over UCLA on Saturday at Allegiant Stadium.
Rebels running back honors late father
Running back Jet Thomas is one of just two returning starters for UNLV Football this season. The minute Jet committed to the Rebels, he never looked back.
UNLV quarterbacks build camaraderie while competing for starting position
UNLV quarterbacks Alex Orji and Anthony Colandrea are building camaraderie while competing for the starting position as the Rebels begin full-pads practice.
