A pair of mid-major conference programs lock up on the gridiron in a non-conference tilt down when the Mountain West locks up with a member of Conference USA in the Lone Star State. The Boise State Broncos are on the road as they make the trip to face the UTEP Miners Friday night. Boise State comes in off a 30-7 victory over FCS program UT Martin at home Saturday. UTEP ended up splitting with the schools from the state of New Mexico as they were beaten 27-10 on the road by New Mexico in their most recent game Saturday. In the all-time series between the two programs, the Broncos have won all six matchups. That includes a 54-13 home demolition in the most recent meeting on September 10, 2021.
Boise State bounced back from their season opening defeat as they strung together back-to-back wins after taking down UT Martin at home Saturday. The Broncos are now 2-1 on the season and seek to extend their win streak to three by prevailing here. In Saturday’s contest, Boise State was even at seven after the opening quarter before outscoring UT Martin 13-0 in the second quarter to take a 20-7 halftime edge. The Broncos didn’t allow the Skyhawks to put any points on the board in the second half en route to the win. Boise State held a 327-152 advantage in total offense, rolled up a 20-9 advantage in first downs and dominated time of possession by a 39:11 to 20:49 margin in the contest. Each team committed one turnover in the game.
The Broncos enter this game ranked 104th in the FBS in passing offense with 186.3 yards per game through the air and they are 93rd in r ushing offense with 132.3 yards per contest. Boise State is just 93rd in scoring offense as they put up an average of 26 points per contest while they are 39th in scoring defense by allowing 18.3 points per game. Hank Bachmeier has completed 38 of 60 passes for 404 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions this season. Taylen Green is 19 of 28 passing for 155 yards with an interception while ranking third on the team in rushing with 102 yards plus two scores. George Holani is the leading ground gainer with 57 carries for 186 yards plus a score while Ashton Jeanty (26 carries, 116 yards) is the second back in the system. Holani leads the team with 11 receptions for 96 yards plus two scores. Latrell Caples (10 receptions, 93 yards, two TD), Jeanty (eight grabs, 79 yards), tight end Riley Smith (eight catches, 39 yards) and Stefan Cobbs (seven receptions, 72 yards, TD) are solid options in the passing game. Jonah Dalmas has hit all nine extra point attemp ts and five of seven field goal attempts with a long of 48 this season.