Broncos buck hapless Utes

SALT LAKE CITY -- If this was Boise State's toughest test of the season, it could be a very good year for the Broncos. Jared Zabransky passed for 210 yards and a touchdown and ran for a score as No. 22 Boise State turned the test into a blowout, beating Utah 36-3 Saturday.

No. 22 Boise State backed up early speculation that they could be in line for an at-large Bowl Championship Series berth by routing Utah 36-3 on Saturday. Boise State (5-0) scored 33 straight points and forced five turnovers and handed the Utes (3-2) their worst home loss in 17 years.

What was widely expected to be the biggest challenge for Boise State turned into a blowout more typical of a Western Athletic Conference game on the Broncos' renowned blue turf.

"I think there's a stigma about us that we may not be a very good road team and we may not have the talent that some of those big-time schools have," quarterback Jared Zabransky said. "But if you look at our roster from top to bottom, the starters, and you match us up, we can go against anybody."

Boise State held Utah to 178 yards of offense and Zabransky had a relatively easy day.

Zabransky completed 15 of 21 passes for 210 yards and a TD and ran for a score and Anthony Montgomery kicked three field goals for the Broncos, who gained 398 yards and missed out on topping 400 yards because they downed the ball to run out the clock.

After holding off Hawaii 41-34 at home the week before, the Broncos put away the Utes early with three touchdowns in the second quarter.

"It showed how good our team really is," said Ian Johnson, who ran for 88 of Boise State's 188 rushing yards.