Bronco Backfield Runs Over Bulldogs

In a season where the Boise State offense has struggled to put points on the board, DJ Harper and Jay Ajayi both stepped up when the Broncos needed them to not only put points on the board, but to extend drives, eat the clock, and show that even in a 'down year', Boise State is still the big bully in the MWC as they beat Fresno State 20-10.

Fresno State came into Bronco Stadium on Saturday afternoon confident after recent weeks that have seen them score no fewer than 25 points, and that was on the road against #2 ranked Oregon.

But on the Blue the Bulldogs ran into a dominant Boise State Defense that stymied them at every turn en route to a 20-10 win for the Broncos.

Boise State's defense dominated the game, holding the Bulldogs to 56 net rushing yards, and holding Fresno's outstanding Senior RB Robby Rouse to just 77 yards and a ypc average of just 3.1, his lowest of the season.

J.C. Percy led the Bronco defense with 14 tackles from his LB spot, but he was followed by Mike Atkinson with 9 tackles, including a sack and TFL. The Bronco Defensive Line lived in the Bulldog backfield all afternoon.

On Offense, Boise State used the tandem of D.J. Harper and Jay Ajayi, known colloquially as Lightning and Thunder, to dominate the game.

Boise State's struggling passing attack produced only 120 yards through the air, but it produced when it mattered as Joe Southwick hit Geraldo Boldewijn for a 10 yard score late in the 1st Q.

From there it was the Bronco ground game that was the dominant offensive feature of the game. DJ Harper ran for 122 yards on 21 carries, and Freshman Jay Ajayi added 91 rough yards on 15 attempts.

While Harper gashed the Bulldogs with speed and devastating spin moves, Ajayi was a tank, running through arm tackles and advancing the ball while refusing to go down after the first hit.

Fresno came into the game leading the MWC in take-aways, but it was the Broncos that won the turnover battle 2-1.

Boise State now prepares for their first ever Black Out game as next week the Broncos will don Black uniforms for the first time against UNLV. Game time is 1:30 MST and will be carried live on NBCSports Channel.