Boise State Tops San Jose State 42-7

The Boise State Broncos, (No. 22 BCS, No. 21 AP), downed San Jose State 42-7 Saturday afternoon in Boise to continue their winning ways in Bronco Stadium. The Broncos won for the seventh consecutive game overall, running their WAC record to 5-0.

Boise State held San Jose State to 150 total yards and the Broncos were sparked by special teams in a 42-7 win over the Spartans this afternoon in Bronco Stadium.

Coach Chris Petersen’s team took advantage of a great kickoff return by Rashaun Scott and two long punt returns to break open the game after leading 21-7 at halftime. Those three plays all handed Boise State excellent field position that resulted in Bronco touchdowns.

Austin Pettis broke out 
for 2 TD's, but here he congratulates
Jeremy Avery on his 37 yard scamper
for a TD. (AP Photo/Idaho 
Press-Tribune,Greg Kreller)

Quarterback Taylor Tharp was precise in dealing with the highly-rated Spartan secondary that features All-American cornerback Dwight Lowery. Tharp spread the ball around the field to 10 different receivers in finishing the afternoon with a solid 28-35 day for 259 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman Austin Pettis stepped up with a career-high seven receptions for 54 yards. Fellow freshman Titus Young hauled in six catches for 44 yards while Jeremy Childs had four for 28.

The game was brutal with hard hits all afternoon. San Jose State’s Justin Willis went down in the fourth quarter and it was feared that he could not move. Game announcers indicated that he did eventually gain some movement, but he was loaded into a paramedic’s vehicle and his condition is not known at this time. Lowery also had to be helped off the field in the second half and did not play after that.

Despite the score, Western Athletic Conference officials felt that San Jose State did nothing wrong the entire game, calling zero penalties on the Spartans. Boise State, meanwhile, was whistled for ten penalties, three coming on San Jose State’s only scoring drive. Coming into the game, WAC officials have called just 35 yards of penalties on Bronco opponents, by far the lowest total in the league, but outdid themselves this afternoon by calling a record zero penalties on San Jose State.

The Broncos advanced to 8-1 on the season, 5-0 in WAC play, while the Spartans fell to 3-6 and 2-3 in conference.