Broncos Run Past Idaho 58-14

Austin Pettis keyed a 41-point Boise State run with three touchdown receptions as the Broncos ran away from Idaho 58-14 this afternoon in Bronco Stadium. A dream matchup in the WAC between two Top 20 teams is set for the day after Thanksgiving between Boise State and Hawai'i.

#15 Boise State broke open a close game with 41 consecutive points to stymie Idaho 58-14 this afternoon in Bronco Stadium.  Taylor Tharp, one of 18 seniors saluted prior to kickoff, threw for 282 yards and four touchdowns to lead the attack.  Tharp was 22-of-31 and still is in line to set the all-time career completion percentage record at Boise State.  Tharp tossed a 58-yarder to freshman Titus Young to put the Broncos up 38-14 and they were not threatened after that.

Ian Johnson led the running game with 109 yards and two scores on 21 carries for Coach Chris Petersen’s team. 

Idaho proved to be a game opponent, scoring two touchdowns in the second quarter to cut the lead to 17-14.  The Broncos responded with a touchdown just before halftime, and then through some halftime adjustments put the game away in the second half.

Freshman Austin Pettis had his best game as a Bronco with eight catches for 139 yards and three touchdowns.  Sophomore Jeremy Childs hauled in seven receptions for 84 yards and is now just two behind the all-time Bronco season record.  Childs has 74 catches with two games to play and is behind only Mike Wilson who had 76 catches in 1992. 

Idaho’s Nathan Enderle was 8-of-23 for 182 yards. Deonte Jackson, the first Vandal running back to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark since 2003, rushed for 58 yards and a score in the first half. He saw limited carries in the second half and finished with 84 yards.

Boise State advanced to 10-1 on the season (7-0 in the Western Athletic Conference) with the win while Idaho slipped to 1-10 and 0-7.  The Bronco win sets up a showdown vs. #12 Hawai’i next Friday in Honolulu for the WAC title.