Ashton Jeanty runs for 259 yards and 4 TDs, No. 25 Boise State beats Washington State 45-24

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Ashton Jeanty ran for 259 yards and four touchdowns, Matt Lauter had four catches for 96 yards and two scores and No. 25 Boise State edged Washington State 45-24 on Saturday night.

Boise State played its first game as a ranked team since 2020, outscoring its future Pac-12 Conference rival in the fourth quarter (3-1). Washington State (4-1) had no answer for Jeanty — and no ground game of its own.

Jeanty, who entered the game leading the nation with 195.3 yards per game, wasted little time piling up the yards. On Boise State’s fifth play from scrimmage, he broke four tackles around the line of scrimmage before outpacing the rest of the defense with a 64-yard TD run. He finished the game with 26 carries and a 7-yard reception.

The Cougars responded with a quick strike of their own as quarterback John Mateer needed just three plays to go 65 yards and fired a 14-yard TD pass to Cooper Mathers.

Jeanty added a 14-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter to give the Broncos a 17-10 halftime lead.

Despite stifling Boise State’s offense early in the second half, Washington State coach Jake Dickert went for a four-and-inch throw from his own 27 yards late in the third quarter. But Boise State’s defense stiffened and denied Mateer the half-yard he needed.

Three plays later, Maddux hit Madsen Lauter on a 22-yard scoring strike, extending Boise State’s lead to 24-10 with 1:22 left in the third quarter.

Then, after another Washington State touchdown cut the deficit in half, Jeanty went on another electrifying run, this time running for 59 yards while deflecting three tackles and evading another at the goal line for the score.

Mateer threw for 327 yards and two touchdowns. Wayshawn Parker led Washington State with 35 yards rushing.

Madsen threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns for Boise State.

THE TAKEAWAY

Boise State: The Broncos appear to be ahead in the race for a playoff bid in the Group of 5 conferences – and on a collision course with Mountain West conference opponent UNLV. The two teams meet on October 25th and could meet again for the conference title with a playoff bid on the line.

Washington State: The Cougars will use their week off to work on strengthening a porous defense that has given up 52 and 45 points, respectively, in their last two games.

NEXT

Boise State: Hosts Utah State on Saturday.

Washington State: At Fresno State on October 12th.

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