Backup quarterback leads Boise State past struggling Colorado State defense in 64-38 rout

No. 20 Boise State quarterback Max Cutforth threw four touchdown passes and added a rushing score to lead the Broncos to a 64-38 victory over Colorado State on Saturday night. The win extends the Broncos' winning streak to eight games and positions them as the top Group of Six team in the College Football Playoff rankings.

Cutforth started the game because starter Maddux Madsen was sidelined with an injury. He completed 16 of 19 passes for 317 yards. Tailback Dylan Riley contributed 300 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns for the Broncos.

Riley's performance included 192 rushing yards, 88 receiving yards, and 20 yards on a kickoff return. He scored on runs of 31 and 42 yards. On the second play of the game, Riley caught a handoff out of the backfield and ran 73 yards for a touchdown.

Riley struck a celebratory pose after his third touchdown. "I'm not going to lie, (the pose) was planned a little bit," Riley said. "All my teammates just kept telling me, and this was before this week, they kept saying, 'When are you going to strike the pose? When are you going to strike the pose?' So I was like, 'On the third touchdown, I might as well.'"

The Broncos accumulated 669 total yards, the eighth highest total in program history. This marked the most points scored by Boise State on the road since a 71-13 win at Chaffey College on Oct. 25, 1952.

Colorado State entered the game allowing 42.4 points per game, the worst in the FBS. The Rams (3-6, 1-4) gave up touchdowns on four consecutive drives by Boise State in the opening minutes. Colorado State quarterback Hauss Hejny passed for 253 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 69 yards and a score on 14 of 25 completions.

Colorado State head coach Jim Mora said the team fought but failed to stop the opposing offense. "We just couldn't get a stop," Mora said. He also noted an incident between offensive lineman Toriyan Johnson and strength coach Shelton Bynum during the game. Mora said he will address the matter after reviewing the video.

Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said the team played well but does not focus on upcoming rankings. "We are working to play our best football every single week," Danielson said. The Broncos improved to 134-24 in ranked games since joining the FBS in 1996.

The rivalry record stands at 1-14 in favor of Boise State. Colorado State's only win in the series was a 31-30 victory in Fort Collins on Oct. 14, 2023. Both teams moved from the Mountain West Conference to the Pac-12 this season.

Boise State will host Oregon State on Saturday. Colorado State will travel to Washington State on Saturday.