The young Boise State Broncos rode into hostile territory and wore down a determined and confident San Jose State team 33-16 tonight in Spartan Stadium in a nationally-televised game by ESPN2.  Coach Chris Petersen’s team, sporting one of the youngest starting units in all of college football, emerged with an important road win over the first-place team in the Western Athletic Conference.  The Broncos won for the seventh time without a loss this season and moved their WAC record to 49-2 over their last 51 conference games.

Even more important, an offensive line that starts one sophomore and two freshmen controlled the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter when the game was on the line.  Tailback Jeremy Avery piled up 96 yards on 21 carries and Ian Johnson’s two touchdowns allowed him to break Brock Forsey’s school record of 50 career rushing TD’s.  Leading 23-16, Offensive Coordinator Bryan Harsin put the game on the shoulders of the offensive line and they came through, leading a 12-play six-minute drive that resulted in a 31-yard Kyle Brotzman field goal.  Then, after the Bronco defense held San Jose State on a three-and-out, the line opened huge holes for Avery and Johnson on seven consecutive running plays that netted 55 yards and the clinching score by Johnson.

Jeremy Childs blocked a punt to set up one Johnson TD and made an amazing athletic play to grab a touchdown pass from Kellen Moore.  Rapidly improving Austin Pettis also made a nice grab of his own from Moore, who finished by hitting 26-of-40 passes for 244 yards.

Give huge credit to the Bronco defense as well.  The unit that came into the game second only to USC in scoring defense (allowing 10.7 points per game) allowed just one touchdown on a fourth-and-one breakaway play and a field goal.  The Spartans scored their other touchdown on a 62-yard interception return by Justin Cole.

Coach Dick Tomey’s Spartans were led by Brandon Rutley who scored the 60-yard rushing touchdown with leading rusher Yonus Davis bottled up all night (9 carries for 24 yards).  Quarterback Kyle Reed hit 16-of-29 passes for 105 yards.

San Jose State slipped to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play with the loss.

Boise State is in a stretch where they must play four out of five games away from home.  The Broncos head to Las Cruces, New Mexico next Saturday for a battle with New Mexico State.