Boise State Dominates UNLV In Mountain West Championship Game
It was the kind of night in Boise where you could feel the history shifting under your feet—or maybe that was just the tremors from the Broncos’ offense running roughshod over the Rebels. In a game that felt like a farewell tour and a coronation all at once, Boise State claimed its third straight Mountain West Conference championship with a commanding 38-21 victory over UNLV.
This wasn’t just another trophy for the case; it was the final Mountain West title game the Broncos will ever play before packing their bags for the rebuilt Pac-12 in 2026. And if you’re going to leave a party, you might as well flip the table on your way out.
Maddux Madsen Puts on a Clinic
Let’s talk about Maddux Madsen. If there were any lingering doubts about who runs this show, the quarterback silenced them before the halftime whistle even blew. Madsen was surgical, tearing through the UNLV defense like he had the cheat codes. He accounted for four touchdowns in the first half alone, building a 28-14 lead that felt even more lopsided than the scoreboard suggested.
He didn’t do it alone, of course. He found Running Back Dylan Riley, Wide Receiver Cameron Bates, and Running Back Malik Sherrod for scores, spreading the wealth like a generous billionaire. Sherrod’s 39-yard touchdown reception was particularly brutal for the Rebels, coming immediately after a UNLV fumble. It was the football equivalent of getting punched in the nose while you’re already tying your shoe.
Madsen finished the night with 289 passing yards, orchestrating an offense that outgained UNLV 460-409. The Broncos never trailed, and honestly, it never felt like they would.
UNLV Fights, But Boise State Bites Back
Credit to UNLV and first-season Head Coach Dan Mullen. They didn’t just roll over. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea showed some serious grit, leading a 95-yard march down the field that he capped off himself with a 5-yard touchdown run. When he connected with Troy Omeire later in the half, and JoJo Earle found the end zone in the third quarter, the Rebels cut the deficit to 28-21. For a fleeting moment, the blue turf looked a little less intimidating.
But championship teams know how to close, and Boise State slammed the door shut in the fourth quarter. The defense, which had bent but not broken, forced three straight stops. Meanwhile, the offense churned out a 78-yard drive ending in a Sire Gaines touchdown run. A 50-yard field goal from Colton Boomer was just the cherry on top of a very blue cake.
A Fitting Farewell To the Mountain West
For Boise State fans, this win is bittersweet but mostly sweet. Winning the conference three years in a row is a dynasty move, plain and simple. Beating the same team you dropped 56 points on back in October proves it wasn’t a fluke.
As the Boise State Broncos look toward their future in the Pac-12, they leave behind a legacy of dominance in the Mountain West that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. Saturday night wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Boise State is ready for the next level, and they’re bringing plenty of hardware with them.
