Boise State was ‘on the attack’ at Fresno State. It ended up being the difference

FRESNO (Idaho Statesman) — As the roars grew louder and louder inside Valley Children’s Stadium, Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen prepared to take the snap on a crucial fourth-and-2.

The Broncos were lined up right on top of the Fresno State Bulldog logo painted in the middle of the field and held a slender 28-20 lead late in the third quarter. Boise State hadn’t defeated Fresno State in its past three attempts, a drought dating back to 2022, and a well-placed punt would at least pin the Bulldogs deep in their own territory.

However, Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson had a different idea.

“We want to be on the attack,” Danielson said Saturday night — and so a fourth-down attempt was coming. But as Madsen received the snap, a quick gasp went around the stadium as Madsen appeared to fumble the ball behind him. But within a second, Madsen spun around with the ball firmly in his grasp and found sophomore AJ Jones completely alone for a simple 7-yard completion and first down.

Two plays later, Madsen found junior Dylan Riley for a 44-yard touchdown pass and a 35-20 lead. The decision to go for it on fourth down in that moment proved the difference Saturday night, as Boise State (5-1, 2-0 Pac-12) went on to claim a 38-31 victory over Fresno State (4-2, 1-1 Pac-12).

The fake fumble is a trick that former Bronco quarterbacks Brett Rypien and Kellen Moore used at Boise State, Madsen said after the game. He added that his initial downfield read wasn’t open, and though he’d never thrown the ball to Jones, even in practice, he quickly pivoted to the open sophomore receiver for his first reception as a Bronco. The gutsy play was one of four fourth-down conversions Boise State made Saturday, also moving the sticks on fourth-and-3, -2, and -1 throughout the game.

Madsen played a part in all four conversions: finding senior tight end Matt Wagner for 17 yards and senior wideout Akeem Wright for 7 yards on two of those plays, while keeping the ball himself for a short 2-yard gain on the other. Those four fourth-down conversions led to 17 of the Broncos’ 38 points on the night.

“Coach (Nate) Potter has done a great job in those situations of dialing up plays that work, and that’s the largest part about it,” Madsen said about the Broncos’ offensive coordinator.

Boise State’s courage to keep its offense on the field likely meant the difference between winning and losing this weekend, but it’s not an anomaly. Through six games this season, the Broncos are 9-for-14 on fourth-down attempts and have attempted at least two in all but one game.

“I’m in the position when we get to fourth down, and it’s under three (yards) … I’m just staying out on the field,” Madsen said. “There’s not a part of me that’s running off, and if I’m running off, I’m not too happy.”

The Broncos haven’t been aggressive only on fourth downs, either. After Riley’s 72-yard touchdown on Boise State’s first drive against Fresno State, the Broncos immediately ran a two-point play that sophomore running back Zeke Martinez converted to take an 8-7 lead. It was the second time this season Boise State has gone for two points after its opening touchdown, having also succeeded against Western Michigan.

“I always want to put my head on the pillow at night knowing that we’re putting our players in the best opportunity to win,” Danielson said. “And part of that is us being on the attack and making sure they’re trained for those moments. Then it’s our players going out there and executing. They executed tonight.”