The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
48°F
Current Conditions
Scattered clouds
View complete weather report
Subscribe now

Broncos blast Rams in Mountain West Conference debut

Boise State running back Doug Martin (22) is congratulated by teammates Mitch Burroughs (20) and Matt Miller (2) after scoring a touchdown against Colorado State during the first half. Martin ran for 200 yards on 20 carries, scoring three touchdowns. (Associated Press)
Arnie Stapleton Associated Press
Boise State running back Doug Martin (22) is congratulated by teammates Mitch Burroughs (20) and Matt Miller (2) after scoring a touchdown against Colorado State during the first half. Martin ran for 200 yards on 20 carries, scoring three touchdowns. (Associated Press)

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – After just one game in the conference, No. 5 Boise State is already the biggest bully in the Mountain West.

The Broncos, an expansion target for the Big East, routed Colorado State 63-13 in their Mountain West debut Saturday behind huge games from quarterback Kellen Moore, tailback Doug Martin and wide receiver Tyler Shoemaker.

Moore threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns on 26-of-30 passing, Martin ran 20 times for 200 yards and three scores and Shoemaker caught nine passes for 180 yards and two TDs and added a 36-yard run on a fake punt that led to another score for the Broncos (6-0, 1-0).

The trio of playmakers did all of that damage in just 21/2 quarters before their backups finished off the Rams (3-3, 1-1).

“It just felt like we were executing like we do in practice,” said Moore, who engineered six scoring drives of under two minutes in improving to 44-2 as a starter, one win shy of Colt McCoy’s NCAA record.

“Tonight we were just really clicking,” Shoemaker said. “I think it sets the standard for us in the Mountain West. We talked about that a lot in practice this week: as a new conference member, let them know we’re here to compete.”

The Broncos raced out to a 35-0 lead in the first 20 minutes before the Rams gathered themselves and scored touchdowns on two trick plays.

“We knew they were going to score points and make plays. That is one of the best offenses in the country, if not the best,” Rams quarterback Pete Thomas said. “We didn’t make enough plays when we got the ball back to balance out their fast start.”

The Broncos’ 742 total yards were a school record, and they let off the pedal long before the fourth quarter.

“It didn’t really feel like a record was set, it’s just those big plays start to add up,” Petersen said. “I think the biggest thing we’re probably most pleased with is how we came in at halftime and how the guys came back and answered both offensively, special teams-wise and on defense.

“Colorado State did a great job of taking the momentum from us and it irritated the guys and they came out and answered.”