Boise State Erases 25-Point Deficit to Defeat Texas State 46-45
Relief quarterback Max Cutforth threw three late touchdowns after starter Maddux Madsen left the game with a knee injury.
By Sofia Ramirez ·
No. 20 Boise State defeated Texas State 46-45 on Saturday night in Boise, Idaho, after trailing by 25 points at halftime. The Broncos overcame a second-half collapse to secure the victory in front of a home crowd, preserving their position as the top Group of Five contender for a playoff spot.
The game turned against Boise State early in the second half. Texas State scored the first 36 points of the second period, building a 39-28 lead with 8:58 remaining. Jayden Bradley returned an interception from starter Maddux Madsen for a touchdown to extend the Bobcats' advantage. Madsen, who had thrown for 236 yards and rushed for two scores, left the game in the fourth quarter after taking a hard hit near his left knee. He watched the remainder of the contest on crutches from the sideline.
Coach Spencer Danielson described the third quarter as one of the worst he has experienced. "But then in the fourth quarter, we throw a pick-six, we're down 11 and a quarterback," Danielson said. "But I'm proud of this team and this group of leaders that found a way to win."
Momentum shifted when Boise State's Mana Tuioti intercepted a trick-play pass from Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson. Tuioti returned the ball to the Bobcats 11-yard line. Jackson finished the game with 327 passing yards and four touchdowns, but the defense could not hold on. The score changed hands three times in the final five minutes. Max Cutforth, who entered the game in relief of Madsen, found Akeem Wright for an 18-yard touchdown pass with 2:40 left. That score gave Boise State a 46-45 lead that it would not relinquish.
Cutforth completed 8 of 13 passes for 131 yards in the final stretch. He noted that his experience as a backup last season, when he entered a game against Fresno State after a season-ending injury to Madsen, prepared him for this moment. "I just tell myself every week that I'm going in," Cutforth said.
Texas State (4-4, 2-2) remains unbeaten against ranked opponents since moving to the Football Championship Subdivision in 2012, failing in 13 previous attempts. The Bobcats will travel to Oregon State on Saturday. Boise State (7-1, 4-0 Pac-12) will host Colorado State on Saturday. The College Football Playoff selection committee will release its first rankings on Tuesday.
Danielson said the training staff is still evaluating Madsen's left knee. His availability for future games is currently unknown.
