Boise State will continue 2-QB system vs. Fresno State. Dalmas closing in on record
Boise State’s two-quarterback system will continue for another week, Boise State football coach Andy Avalos said Monday.
Quarterback Maddux Madsen was named Mountain West Freshman of the Week on Monday after he completed 12-of-15 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos’ 32-7 win over Wyoming.
It’s the second time this season that the redshirt freshman has earned the award. He also earned it after going 9-for-15 for 155 yards and a touchdown and adding a rushing touchdown in the Broncos’ comeback win over San Jose State on Oct. 7.
Madsen has completed 53-of-79 passes for 731 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions while splitting reps with redshirt sophomore Taylen Green this season. He’s also completing 67% of his passes, which ranks No. 2 among starters in the Mountain West.
Green has completed 82-of-155 passes for 1,110 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s completing 52.9% of his passes, and he ranks No. 2 on the team with 260 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
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Despite Madsen’s success through the air and the fact that he’s played more snaps than Green in the past three games, Avalos reiterated Monday that Green is the Broncos’ starter.
“He’s earned the right to start,” Avalos said, pointing to Green’s pinpoint pass to wide receiver Eric McAlister, which resulted in a 49-yard touchdown on the first drive of the Broncos’ win over Wyoming. Green finished the game 3-of-6 for 69 yards and added 32 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Green also lost a fumble on the Broncos’ third drive of the game, which opened the door for Madsen to essentially take over, beginning early in the second quarter. Avalos said protecting the ball is a major emphasis heading into this weekend’s game at Fresno State.
“We’ve got to take care of the ball, and that’s the bottom line,” Avalos said.
Madsen has delivered in a lot of big spots this season. He converted two important third downs and a crucial fourth down in the Broncos’ comeback win over San Jose State on Oct. 7.
On Saturday, he completed a 37-yard pass to McAlister to set up Green’s 9-yard touchdown run, which put the Broncos up 22-7 early in the third quarter. Madsen also converted a third down with his legs before finding freshman wide receiver Prince Strachan for the first touchdown catch of his career late in the third.
Madsen’s performance in high-pressure situations is even more impressive given the fact that Boise State offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan said Monday that he’s only taking about 25% of the reps with the starting offense in practice.
“There are times that he’s out there being asked to do some things where he didn’t get that exact look (in practice),” Hamdan said. “But he prepares the way he needs to prepare. Ever since I’ve been here, he’s prepared like a starter.”
McAlister claims conference award
McAlister was named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week on Monday after tying his career-high with seven catches for 160 yards and a touchdown against Wyoming. He hauled in a 49-yard touchdown pass from Green for the first points of the game.
McAlister, who also hauled in seven passes in the season opener at Washington, leads Boise State with 39 catches for 788 yards and five touchdowns this season. He’s averaging 20.21 yards per catch, which ranks No. 10 in the country.
“He’s done a tremendous job of not just creating separation but making tough plays with a guy in his face,” Hamdan said Monday.
Dalmas closing in on record
Kicker Jonah Dalmas needs to hit two fields goals Saturday to set the career record at Boise State.
Dalmas, a former walk-on from Rocky Mountain High, has been successful on 66 field-goal attempts since 2020. Former Boise State kicker Kyle Brotzman (2007-2010) owns the record with 67.
Kickoff time, TV info announced for Boise State’s Mountain West tilt vs. New Mexico
Dalmas is 10-of-13 this season. He hit the longest kick of his career with a 56-yard field goal in the Broncos’ home opener against UCF.
He went 23-of-27 last season and was named Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week three times. Dalmas earned first-team all-conference honors in 2021 after he went 26-of-28 and set Boise State’s single-season field-goal record, which was held by the Broncos’ current special teams assistant coach Tyler Rausa.
BOISE STATE AT FRESNO STATE
When: 8 p.m. MT Saturday
Where: Valley Children’s Stadium (40,727)
TV: CBS Sports Network (Jordan Kent, Donte Whitner, Brandon Baylor)
Radio: KBOI 670 AM/93.1 FM (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender)
Records: Boise State 4-4, 3-1 MW; Fresno State 7-1, 3-1 MW
Series: Boise State leads the series 17-8. The Broncos lost to Fresno State, 28-16, in the Mountain West championship game last year in Boise.
Vegas line: Fresno State by 3 points.
Weather: High of 77, 1% chance of rain, 5 mph wind
