SAN JOSE, Calif. – Boise State looked every bit like a team that could play for the BCS National Championship after defeating the San Jose State Spartans 48-0 on Saturday.
Loses by No. 1 Ohio State and No. 5 Nebraska dramatically helped the Broncos’ chances of getting to the title game, too.
Junior quarterback Kellen Moore threw for 231 yards on 14-of-16 passing and two touchdowns in only a half of actual playing time. The Broncos totaled 535 offensive yards compared to a measly 80 posted by the Spartans.
Moore, who has become the frontrunner on many Heisman Trophy lists, didn’t do anything to hurt his chances at winning the coveted award and should handily take over the No. 1 spot after Ohio State’s Terrell Pryor lost at No. 18 Wisconsin 31-18.
Five different Broncos 6-0 (2-0 Western Athletic Conference) scored touchdowns in the first half to demoralize SJSU 1-6 (0-2 WAC) before halftime. The Broncos led 21-0 at the end of the first quarter and 41-0 at halftime.
“It’s all about the mentality to start the game,” Moore said. “You’ve got to start fast, get things rolling early, create some momentum and it’s a waterfall effect after that.”
Junior running back Doug Martin scored from six yards out less than three minutes into the game, and Moore hit senior tight end Tommy Gallarda on a seam route to cap the next drive, giving BSU a 14-0 lead with 6:48 remaining in the first quarter.
Martin scored BSU’s only points in the second half when he broke to the outside and fought for a 4-yard touchdown right in front of his family holding a huge sign saying “Martin.” He then blew his family a kiss. Martin led all BSU rushers with 68 yards on eight attempts and two touchdowns.
“I’m glad they could come out, all 30 of them,” Martin said. “It was fun playing in front of them. That moment was priceless.”
Senior wide receiver Titus Young scored on BSU’s next drive, using wide-open space thanks to some trickery on a reverse for a 17-yard touchdown. Young’s run put BSU up 21-0 with 1:19 left in the first quarter.
Young reeled in a 43-yard strike from Moore two series’ later to give the Broncos a commanding 27-0 lead midway through the second quarter. Young was BSU’s leading receiver with seven catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.
“It’s scary when people leave him in one-on-one match-ups,” Moore said. “You’re going to have a long day if you leave him in those situations often. He’s one of a lot of reliable guys we have on offense.”
Junior linebacker Aaron Tevis took it upon himself to make sure people didn’t forget about one of the best defenses in the nation.
With 4:14 left in the first half, Tevis kept his eyes on SJSU senior quarterback Jordan La Secla and reacted immediately when La Secla released the ball to snatch it one-handed out of the air and sprint 43-yards into the end zone. Tevis’ interception return was the third defensive touchdown this season for BSU.
“I think it was the best catch of the night, no question,” Petersen said. “The guy can catch as good as anyone on our team, and you saw it out there tonight.”
Senior running back Jeremy Avery punched in BSU’s final touchdown in the first half on a hard-fought 2-yard run.
BSU’s defense was spectacular again, posting it’s second-straight road shutout in a row. The defensive line overwhelmed SJSU and held the Spartans to -12 rushing yards on 29 attempts.
“The coaches do such a good job of making sure we’re focused all week no matter who we’re playing and never underestimating an opponent,” senior defensive end Ryan Winterswyk said.
The Broncos are off for the next ten days before returning home to play Louisiana Tech on Tuesday, Oct. 26.