American college football season
The 2021 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The Broncos were led by first–year head coach Andy Avalos and played their home games at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho . They completed as members of the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference .
The Broncos completed their regular season with a 7–5 record and accepted a bid to the Arizona Bowl , where they were due to face the Central Michigan Chippewas . On December 27, Barstool Sports (the title sponsor of the bowl) founder David Portnoy announced the withdrawal of the Broncos from the bowl due to COVID-19 issues within the program; organizers stated that they would attempt to secure a replacement team to face the Chippewas.[1] [2] Sun Bowl .[3]
Game summaries
At UCF
Boise State Broncos at UCF Knights
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos
14
10
0 7 31
Knights 0
14
14 8 36
at Bounce House , Orlando, FL
Date : Game time : 5:00 p.m. MDT (Kicked at 7:46 p.m. – delayed 2 hours and 46 minutes to kickoff due to lightning )Game weather : Temperature: 73°F • Wind: W 5 MPH • Weather: CloudyGame attendance : 43,928Referee : David AlvarezTV announcers (ESPN ) : Matt Barrie (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst) and Harry Lyles Jr. (sideline)Pregame Notes , Recap , Postgame Notes , Gamebook
Game information
First Quarter
09:58 - BSU - Tyric LeBeauf 100 yd interception (Jonah Dalmas kick) • Broncos 7–0
04:00 - BSU - Andrew Van Buren 3 yd run (Jonah Dalmas kick), 10 plays, 78 yards, TOP 03:46 • Broncos 14–0 Second Quarter
12:50 - BSU - Khalil Shakir 19 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 12 plays, 73 yards, TOP 04:17 • Broncos 21–0
11:23 - UCF - Alec Holler 23 yd pass from Dillon Gabriel (Daniel Obarski kick), 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:27 • Broncos 21–7
05:06 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 31 yd field goal, 9 plays, 32 yards, TOP 03:35 • Broncos 24-7
00:06 - UCF - Titus Mokiao-Atimalala 8 yd pass from Dillon Gabriel (Daniel Obarski kick), 7 plays, 74 yards, TOP 01:21 • Broncos 24–14 Third Quarter
11:37 - UCF - Brandon Johnson 11 yd pass from Dillon Gabriel (Daniel Obarski kick), 8 plays, 84 yards, TOP 03:17 • Broncos 24–21
00:56 - UCF - Jaylon Robinson 21 yd pass from Dillon Gabriel (Daniel Obarski kick), 10 plays, 78 yards, TOP 04:24 • Knights 28–24 Fourth Quarter
14:55 - UCF - 0 yd safety • Knights 30–24
08:02 - BSU - Khalil Shakir 7 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 2 plays, 31 yards, TOP 00:38 • Broncos 31–30
04:16 - UCF - Isaiah Bowser 8 yd run (Dillon Gabriel run failed), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:46 • Knights 36–31
BSU Passing Leaders BSU Rushing Leaders Andrew Van Buren – 10 rushes, 26 yards BSU Receiving Leaders BSU Defense Leaders
UCF hosted Boise State in the 2021 season opener. It was the first meeting between the two Group of Five front-runners, and the first game for new head coach Gus Malzahn . The kickoff was delayed about 2 hours and 46 minutes due to lightning in the area, but the inclement weather passed and the game played to completion without additional delay. Boise State jumped out to a 21–0 lead, but UCF rallied and held on for a 36–31 victory. UCF won their sixth consecutive season opener, and 14th season opener out of the last 16 years.
On their first drive of the first quarter, quarterback Dillon Gabriel swiftly drove the Knights to the Boise State 8 yard line. However, his pass was intercepted by Tyric LeBeauf at the goal line, who ran it back 100 yards for a Broncos touchdown. Trailing 21–0, the Knights finally got on the board with a 23-yard catch and run touchdown by Alec Holler early in the second quarter. In the final minute of the second quarter, Gabriel drove the Knights down the field and with 6 seconds left in the half, scrambled to find Titus Mokiao-Atimalala just inside the pylon for a touchdown and a 24–14 score at halftime.
UCF received the opening kickoff for the second half, and the Knights scored again. This time a touchdown pass from Gabriel to Brandon Johnson, who caught the ball on the right side of the endzone, his foot just inches from being out-of-bounds. With 56 seconds left in the third quarter, the Knights took the lead for the first time. Gabriel connected with Jaylon Robinson for a 23-yard over-the-shoulder touchdown pass, and a 28–24 lead.
The Knights defense stiffened in the second half, forcing the Broncos into three three-and-outs along with a safety . With UCF leading 30–24, momentum shifted back to the Broncos after Tyric LeBeauf intercepted Gabriel for the second time. The turnover led to a Boise State touchdown, and the Knights trailed by 1 point with 8 minutes left in regulation.
Gabriel drove the Knights 75 yards in ten plays (including a Targeting penalty by the Broncos), capped off with a 9-yard go-ahead touchdown run by Isaiah Bowser. With four minutes to go, the Broncos had one last chance. They drove to the UCF 35, but quarterback Hank Bachmeier was scrambling and threw up an easy interception for Dyllon Lester. The Knights were able to roll the clock down, and held on for a 36–31 victory. It matched the best comeback win in school history (21 points in 1984 & 2013 ). Gabriel finished the game with 318 passing yards, 64 yards rushing, and four touchdown passes, and Bowser has 32 carries for 170 yards (1 touchdown) in his Knights debut.[6]
UTEP
Game information
First Quarter
10:36 - TEP - Gavin Baechle 33 yd field goal, 9 plays, 59 yards, TOP 04:24 • Miners 3–0
09:08 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 39 yd field goal, 6 plays, 58 yards, TOP 01:21 • Tied 3–3
06:42 - BSU - Stefan Cobbs 81 yd punt return (Jonah Dalmas kick) • Broncos 10–3 Second Quarter
13:26 - TEP - Gavin Baechle 21 yd field goal, 15 plays, 72 yards, TOP 08:16 • Broncos 10–6
11:33 - BSU - George Holani 10 yd rush (Jonah Dalmas kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:53 • Broncos 17–6
11:15 - BSU - Andrew Van Buren 3 yd rush (Jonah Dalmas kick), 1 plays, 3 yards, TOP 00:04 • Broncos 24–6
08:43 - BSU - Stefan Cobbs 61 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 1 plays, 61 yards, TOP 00:10 • Broncos 31–6
06:21 - TEP - Jacob Cowing 48 yd pass from Gavin Hardison (Gavin Baechle kick), 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:22 • Broncos 31–13
03:00 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 27 yd field goal, 9 plays, 69 yards, TOP 03:15 • Broncos 34-13
00:14 - BSU - Andrew Van Buren 1 yd rush (Jonah Dalmas kick), 5 plays, 48 yards, TOP 00:33 • Broncos 41–13 Third Quarter
13:50 - BSU - Tyneil Hopper 23 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 3 plays, 38 yards, TOP 01:02 • Broncos 48–13
04:19 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 29 yd field goal, 4 plays, 7 yards, TOP 01:52 • Broncos 51–13 Fourth Quarter
04:20 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 34 yd field goal, 8 plays, 33 yards, TOP 03:23 • Broncos 54–13
BSU Passing Leaders Hank Bachmeier – 17/24, 340 yards, 2 TD BSU Rushing Leaders Tyler Crowe – 7 rushes, 45 yards BSU Receiving Leaders Khalil Shakir – 7 receptions, 166 yards BSU Defense Leaders JL Skinner – 9 tackles, 2 FF
Oklahoma State
Game information
First Quarter
10:41 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 40 yd field goal, 12 plays, 52 yards, TOP 04:19 • Broncos 3–0
05:10 - BSU - Davis Koetter 28 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 10 plays, 70 yards, TOP 03:33 • Broncos 10–0
04:59 - OSU - Jaylen Warren 75 yd rush (Alex Hale kick), 1 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:11 • Broncos 10–7 Second Quarter
10:07 - BSU - Cyrus Habibi-Likio 5 yd rush (Jonah Dalmas kick), 9 plays, 43 yards, TOP 03:22 • Broncos 20–7
06:26 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 36 yd field goal, 8 plays, 35 yards, TOP 02:32 • Broncos 20–7
02:10 - OSU - Jaylen Warren 6 yd rush (Hale,Alex kick), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:16 • Broncos 20–14
00:06 - OSU - Spencer Sanders 1 yd rush (Hale,Alex kick), 5 plays, 21 yards, TOP 01:52 • Cowboys 21–20 Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
BSU Passing Leaders Hank Bachmeier – 22/34, 242 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT BSU Rushing Leaders Cyrus Habibi-Likio – 8 rushes, 27 yards, 1 TD BSU Receiving Leaders Khalil Shakir – 8 receptions, 78 yards BSU Defense Leaders
At Utah State
Boise State Broncos at Utah State Aggies
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos 10
0
7 10 27
Cougars
0
0
0 3 3
at Maverik Stadium , Logan, UT
Game information
First Quarter
10:17 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 28 yd field goal, 9 plays, 47 yards, TOP 03:48 • Broncos 3–0
00:56 - BSU - Andrew Van Buren 2 yd run (Jonah Dalmas kick), 3 plays, 76 yards, TOP 00:56 • Broncos 10–0 Second Quarter
Third Quarter
09:32 - BSU - Khalil Shakir 3 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 4 plays, 18 yards, TOP 01:21 • Broncos 17–0 Fourth Quarter
14:03 - USU - Connor Coles 20 yd field goal, 8 plays, 85 yards, TOP 02:54 • Broncos 17–3
10:29 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 32 yd field goal, 8 plays, 60 yards, TOP 03:34 • Broncos 20–3
05:09 - BSU - Scott Matlock 3 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 9 plays, 15 yards, TOP 04:23 • Broncos 27–3
BSU Passing Leaders Hank Bachmeier – 22/39, 286 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT BSU Rushing Leaders George Holani – 13 rushes, 46 yards BSU Receiving Leaders Khalil Shakir – 7 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD BSU Defense Leaders
Nevada
Game information
First Quarter
10:36 - NEV - Cole Turner 7 yd pass from Carson Strong (Brandon Talton kick), 12 plays, 67 yards, TOP 04:17 • Wolf Pack 7–0
07:47 - BSU - Stefan Cobbs 25 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 9 plays, 81 yards, TOP 02:43 • Tied 7–7
04:54 - NEV - Brandon Talton 38 yd field goal, 9 plays, 54 yards, TOP 02:53 • Wolf Pack 10-7
00:53 - BSU - Khalil Shakir 23 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 8 plays, 73 yards, TOP 03:55 • Broncos 14–10 Second Quarter
12:26 - NEV - Devonte Lee 2 yd rush (Brandon Talton kick), 10 plays, 57 yards, TOP 03:21 • Wolf Pack 17–14
02:28 - BSU - Stefan Cobbs 5 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 3 plays, 40 yards, TOP 01:19 • Broncos 21–17
00:00 - NEV - Brandon Talton 37 yd field goal, 11 plays, 56 yards, TOP 02:22 • Broncos 21-20 Third Quarter
12:55 - NEV - Toa Taua 12 yd rush (Romeo Doubs pass from Carson Strong), 3 plays, 18 yards, TOP 01:55 • Wolf Pack 28–21
08:59 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 31 yd field goal, 9 plays, 61 yards, TOP 03:56 • Wolf Pack 28-24
06:01 - NEV - Brandon Talton 33 yd field goal, 6 plays, 59 yards, TOP 02:58 • Wolf Pack 31-24
02:40 - NEV - Toa Taua 22 yd rush (Brandon Talton kick), 3 plays, 60 yards, TOP 00:48 • Wolf Pack 38–24 Fourth Quarter
10:42 - NEV - Brandon Talton 38 yd field goal, 4 plays, 8 yards, TOP 01:55 • Wolf Pack 41-24
03:15 - BSU - Octavius Evans 4 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 14 plays, 80 yards, TOP 04:54 • Wolf Pack 41-31
BSU Passing Leaders Hank Bachmeier – 34/47, 388 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT BSU Rushing Leaders Cyrus Habibi-Likio – 10 rushes, 46 yards BSU Receiving Leaders Stefan Cobbs – 10 receptions, 132 yards, 2 TD BSU Defense Leaders Riley Whimpey – 7 tackles
At No. 10 BYU
Game information
First Quarter
10:24 - BYU - Jacob Oldroyd 30 yd field goal, 10 plays, 62 yards, TOP 04:36 • Cougars 3-0
06:55 - BYU - Samson Nacua 14 yd pass from Jaren Hall (Jacob Oldroyd kick), 5 plays, 84 yards, TOP 02:20 • Cougars 10–0
01:25 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 41 yd field goal, 14 plays, 59 yards, TOP 05:26 • Cougars 10-3 Second Quarter
06:29 - BSU - Cyrus Habibi-Likio 11 yd rush (Jonah Dalmas kick), 4 plays, 24 yards, TOP 01:30 • Tied 10–10
03:34 - BSU - Andrew Van Buren 1 yd rush (Jonah Dalmas kick), 5 plays, 23 yards, TOP 01:00 • Broncos 17–10
00:00 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 20 yd field goal, 9 plays, 43 yards, TOP 02:03 • Broncos 20–10 Third Quarter
08:20 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 28 yd field goal, 13 plays, 54 yards, TOP 06:31 • Broncos 23–10 Fourth Quarter
07:27 - BYU - Tyler Allgeier 1 yd rush (Jacob Oldroyd kick), 4 plays, 70 yards, TOP 01:00 • Broncos 23–17
03:27 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 22 yd field goal, 9 plays, 71 yards, TOP 04:00 • Broncos 26–17
BSU Passing Leaders Hank Bachmeier – 18/29, 172 yards BSU Rushing Leaders Cyrus Habibi-Likio – 18 rushes, 75 yards, 1 TD BSU Receiving Leaders Khalil Shakir – 5 receptions, 66 yards BSU Defense Leaders
Air Force
Game information
First Quarter
11:15 - BSU - Stefan Cobbs 8 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:45 • Broncos 7–0
04:29 - AFA - Brad Roberts 4 yd run (Anthony Rodriguez kick), 14 plays, 75 yards, TOP 06:46 • Tied 7–7 Second Quarter
13:53 - AFA - Haaziq Daniels 25 yd run (Anthony Rodriguez kick), 10 plays, 76 yards, TOP 04:19 • Falcons 14–7
10:04 - BSU - Andrew Van Buren 11 yd run (Jonah Dalmas kick), 10 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:41 • Tied 14–14
06:12 - AFA - Brad Roberts 1 yd run (Anthony Rodriguez kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:52 • Falcons 21–14 Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
02:49 - AFA - Matthew Dapore 28 yd field goal, 4 plays, 6 yards, TOP 02:06 • Falcons 24–14
00:49 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 37 yd field goal, 11 plays, 53 yards, TOP 01:56 • Falcons 24–17
BSU Passing Leaders Hank Bachmeier – 23/36, 259 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT BSU Rushing Leaders Andrew Van Buren – 15 rushes, 58 yards, 1 TD BSU Receiving Leaders Stefan Cobbs – 6 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD BSU Defense Leaders Riley Whimpey – 10 tackles
At Colorado State
Game information
First Quarter
09:48 - CSU - Cayden Camper 22 yd field goal, 13 plays, 71 yards, TOP 05:12 • Rams 3–0
06:31 - CSU - Cam Butler 30 yd pass from Todd Centeio (Cayden Camper kick), 6 plays, 65 yards, TOP 01:59 • Rams 10–0
00:52 - CSU - Cayden Camper 20 yd field goal, 8 plays, 47 yards, TOP 03:25 • Rams 13–0 Second Quarter
01:50 - BSU - Octavius Evans 9 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 13 plays, 97 yards, TOP 06:09 • Rams 13–7
00:11 - CSU - Cayden Camper 20 yd field goal, 10 plays, 72 yards, TOP 01:31 • Rams 16–7 Third Quarter
10:51 - BSU - Octavius Evans 13 yd run (Jonah Dalmas kick), 4 plays, 38 yards, TOP 01:04 • Rams 16–14
04:01 - BSU - Stefan Cobbs 11 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 13 plays, 97 yards, TOP 04:08 • Broncos 21–16
00:44 - CSU - Cayden Camper 28 yd field goal, 8 plays, 65 yards, TOP 03:17 • Broncos 21–19 Fourth Quarter
09:30 - BSU - Tyneil Hopper 51 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 4 plays, 62 yards, TOP 01:53 • Broncos 28–19
BSU Passing Leaders Hank Bachmeier – 21/32, 253 yards, 3 TD BSU Rushing Leaders Cyrus Habibi-Likio – 19 rushes, 61 yards BSU Receiving Leaders Khalil Shakir – 9 receptions, 118 yards BSU Defense Leaders Tyreque Jones – 10 tackles
At No. 23 Fresno State
Boise State Broncos at Fresno State Bulldogs
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos 10
6
7 17 40
No. 23 Bulldogs
0
7
0 7 14
at Bulldog Stadium , Fresno, CA
Wyoming
Game information
First Quarter
03:07 - BSU - Riley Smith 2 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 9 plays, 72 yards, TOP 04:20 • Broncos 7–0 Second Quarter
04:42 - WYO - Titus Swen 7 yd run (John Hoyland kick), 8 plays, 76 yards, TOP 04:28 • Tied 7–7
00:00 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 43 yd field goal 7 plays, 62 yards, TOP 00:52 • Broncos 10–7 Third Quarter
08:51 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 38 yd field goal 12 plays, 54 yards, TOP 06:09 • Broncos 13–7 Fourth Quarter
07:39 - BSU - Andrew Van Buren 12 yd run (Jonah Dalmas kick), 2 plays, 13 yards, TOP 00:52 • Broncos 20–7
00:59 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 29 yd field goal 12 plays, 62 yards, TOP 06:05 • Broncos 23–7
00:04 - WYO - Isaiah Neyor 74 yd pass from Levi Williams (Joshua Cobbs pass from Levi Williams failed), 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:55 • Broncos 23–13'
BSU Passing Leaders Hank Bachmeier – 23/32, 225 yards, 1 TD BSU Rushing Leaders George Holani – 20 rushes, 102 yards BSU Receiving Leaders Khalil Shakir – 8 receptions, 83 yards BSU Defense Leaders Riley Whimpey – 8 tackles
New Mexico
Game information
First Quarter
12:33 - BSU - Tyreque Jones 7 yd blocked punt return (Jonah Dalmas kick) • Broncos 7–0
00:13 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 27 yd field goal, 11 plays, 35 yards, TOP 05:15 • Broncos 10-0 Second Quarter
13:39 - BSU - Dylan Herberg 6 yd blocked punt return (Jonah Dalmas kick) • Broncos 17–0
00:00 - BSU - Khalil Shakir 56 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 2 plays, 56 yards, TOP 00:17 • Broncos 24–0 Third Quarter
06:13 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 46 yd field goal, 9 plays, 35 yards, TOP 03:45 • Broncos 27-0
01:03 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 42 yd field goal, 8 plays, 56 yards, TOP 01:49 • Broncos 30-0 Fourth Quarter
10:48 - BSU - Jack Sears 1 yd run (Jonah Dalmas kick), 9 plays, 62 yards, TOP 03:16 • Broncos 37-0
BSU Passing Leaders Hank Bachmeier – 11/22, 146 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT BSU Rushing Leaders George Holani – 14 rushes, 114 yards BSU Receiving Leaders Khalil Shakir – 7 receptions, 116 yards, 1 TD BSU Defense Leaders JL Skinner – 9 tackles, 1 FR, 1 INT
At No. 21 San Diego State
Game information
First Quarter
04:01 - BSU - Kurt Rafdal 20 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick), 6 plays, 69 yards, TOP 01:58 • Broncos 7–0
00:52 - SDSU - Matt Araiza 31 yd field goal, 12 plays, 66 yards, TOP 04:53 • Broncos 7–3 Second Quarter
11:45 - BSU - Khalil Shakir 13 yd pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jonah Dalmas kick missed), 10 plays, 80 yards, TOP 02:13 • Broncos 13–3
08:39 - BSU - Jonah Dalmas 22 yd field goal, 7 plays, 26 yards, TOP 02:16 • Broncos 16–3
01:30 - SDSU - Jesse Matthews 29 yd pass from Jordon Brookshire (Matt Araiza kick), 5 plays, 78 yards, TOP 01:34 • Broncos 16–10
00:03 - SDSU - Matt Araiza 37 yd field goal, 5 plays, 38 yards, TOP 00:25 • Broncos 16–13 Third Quarter
09:26 - SDSU - Greg Bell 2 yd rush (Matt Araiza kick), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:34 • Aztecs 20–16
07:46 - SDSU - Jordon Brookshire 16 yd rush (Matt Araiza kick), 3 plays, 43 yards, TOP 00:36 • Aztecs 27–16 Fourth Quarter
BSU Passing Leaders Hank Bachmeier – 21/40, 222 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT BSU Rushing Leaders George Holani – 20 rushes, 70 yards BSU Receiving Leaders Khalil Shakir – 6 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD BSU Defense Leaders
