Henderson, No. 20 Boise State hang on for 31-24 win over CSU

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Jackson fights his way in for a 16-yard TD

Patrick O'Brien throws to Warren Jackson, who takes a nice hit from two Boise State defenders, but is able to extend into the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown.

Nov 30, 2019, 01:57 am

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Curtis Weaver knows his Boise State history. The Broncos’ outside linebacker knows how hard it is to earn a footnote in that history.

That’s why Weaver takes great pride in his team earning their place in that storied history.

Jaylon Henderson accounted for three scores, defensive tackle David Moa came up with a big late sack and No. 20 Boise State beat Colorado State 31-24 on Friday to finish undefeated in Mountain West play for the first time.

Yep, 8-0 has a nice ring to it.

“The past Boise State teams always had something they had. We wanted something,” Weaver said. “Today, we wrote history.”

This version of Boise State (11-1, 8-0 MW, No. 20 CFP) will go into the books as the program’s first one to run through Mountain West regular-season play unbeaten. The Broncos have finished the conference portion of their schedule with one loss five times since joining the league in 2011.

“They’ve accomplished something that’s pretty special,” Boise State coach Bryan Harsin said.

Henderson had another big game for Boise State. He ran for a short score early in the fourth to give Boise State some breathing room. He also threw two TD passes, giving him eight over the past three games as he fills in for banged-up starter Hank Bachmeier and backup Chase Cord.

Garrett Collingham hauled in one of Henderson’s TD passes and ran in another as the Broncos head into the league’s championship game with a head of steam. They host Hawaii next Saturday.

Patrick O’Brien threw for 289 yards and two TDs for the Rams (4-8, 3-5), who dropped to 0-9 all-time against Boise State. Rams coach Mike Bobo heads into the offseason on the hot seat after a second straight losing season. He’s 28-35 in five seasons at Colorado State.

“I hope to be back,” Bobo said. “We are really, really close.”

With Colorado State on the move late, Moa sacked O’Brien on a critical second-down play. After an incompletion, Colorado State faced a fourth-and-14 at the Boise 45 with just over 2 minutes remaining and all three timeouts. The Rams elected to punt.

They wouldn’t get the ball back as the Broncos converted a third-down play on a diving catch by Khalil Shakir.

“This one hurt,” said Rams receiver Warren Jackson, who had eight catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. “But today we could smell it and we didn’t get it done.”

The sparse crowd was announced at 12,324 on a chilly and overcast afternoon. Only the middle sections of the stadium were open following a blizzard earlier in the week that dropped around 15 inches of snow. Most of the upper deck and behind the south end zone were blanketed in snow. The Colorado State facilities management crews moved approximately two million pounds of snow from the playing surface.

O’Brien drew the Rams to within 24-21 with a 28-yard strike to tight end Trey McBride late in the third quarter. Henderson restored a 31-21 lead on a 1-yard TD with 11:26 remaining.

After a 34-yard field goal by Braxton Davis and forcing a Boise State punt, the Rams got the ball back with 3:53 left but couldn’t capitalize.

There were no punts in the first half. Well, technically no punts as Colorado State was called for a running into the punter in the first quarter to keep a Boise State drive going. The Broncos capitalized by scoring on a 2-yard run from Collingham.

O'Brien threw two first-half interceptions, including one that Weaver tipped at the line and dove to secure.

“I wish I would’ve caught my footing so I could score,” Weaver cracked.

THE TAKEAWAY

Boise State: A methodical win. Outgained by the Rams by a 379-344 margin.

Colorado State: The Rams bid farewell to 13 seniors.

MOA’S BIG PLAY

Of course, it was Moa turning in a big play on defense. He was granted a sixth year of eligibility this season after being limited to one game a year ago.

“That’s Grandpa Moa,” Weaver said. “That’s our guy.”

QB SITUATION

Henderson is now 3-0 as he fills in Bachmeier. Asked if he might ride the hot hand of Henderson next week or start a cold QB, Harsin responded: “I don't feel like it’s a cold quarterback. ... All the guys have played.”

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Boise State should move up after spending the past two versions of the poll at No. 20.

UP NEXT

Boise State: Host Hawaii in the Mountain West title game next Saturday. The Broncos beat Hawaii 59-37 on Oct. 12.

Colorado State: Gear up for 2020. Will host Colorado on Sept. 5.

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