Boise State Broncos @ Fresno State Bulldogs Football Recap

Boise State 57, Fresno State 7

The spotlight can be a two-edged sword, and it’s been cruel to Fresno State. The Bulldogs have battled Boise State on a primetime Friday night for several years in a row, and the Broncos took full advantage of the occasion yet again, making a statement against a longtime rival from the Western Athletic Conference.

In its last regular season game on ESPN this year, Boise State annihilated Fresno State by 50 points late Friday night in Fresno. The two teams, who carry no warm affection toward each other but relish the chance to engage in mortal combat on the gridiron, will own the unique distinction of playing consecutive games in three different conference configurations over the course of three years. The 2010 edition of this series was a WAC game. This was a non-conference clash in the California Valley. Next year’s installment of the Boise-Fresno battle will be a Mountain West Conference game, due to the fact that Fresno – alongside Nevada and Hawaii – will be leaving the WAC for greener pastures.

It was a dominating performance in every way for Boise State. Not only was the offense unstoppable, but Fresno State pitched in four turnovers to help the cause leading to an absolute embarrassment for the Bulldogs. With Boise working early, Fresno followed up three punts on three possessions with a fumble at its own 25-yard line. Boise receiver Mitch Burroughs took the next play on an end around for a touchdown, and the Broncos held a 16-0 lead after the first quarter.

It was more of the same the rest of the night. Kellen Moore hit Geraldo Boldewijn—the Dutchman suspended for the first four games—for Boldewijn’s first score of the season on an 18-yard pass. The Broncos followed that by blocking a Fresno State punt, which D.J. Harper turned into a score five plays later. When Fresno State finally got something going after Robbie Rouse rushed 40 yards to the Boise 22-yard line, quarterback Derek Carr fumbled while scrambling to end the drive. Moore led Boise State by going 7-for-8 for 66 yards on the Broncos' next drive, ending with a quick four-yard slant to Boldewijn to end the half up 37-0. Fresno’s only score of the night came on a 79-yard punt return while down 50-0. This game was every bit the bloodbath that the scoreboard indicated. Fresno State got punched in the mouth, and what's worse is that the Bulldogs offered nothing in the way of a credible response.

Moore ended with another surgical performance, going 23-31 for 254 yards and three touchdowns in three quarters. Carr ended a disappointing 17-30 for 126 yards and one interception in the loss.

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By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer