Boise State, BYU to meet in final chapter of rivalry; Green wins Mountain West awards

It hasn’t sunk in yet for Boise State defensive coordinator Spencer Danielson that this year’s annual rivalry game between the Broncos and BYU will be their last for the foreseeable future.

“It’s always going to be a battle, and it’s a game that we love playing because you come to college to play in these games,” Danielson said Monday. “I hope in years to come we can find a way to play them.”

Boise State and BYU have played every year since 2012, but they aren’t scheduled to meet again after Saturday’s game at Albertsons Stadium (5 p.m., FS2).

BYU, which has played as an FBS independent since 2011, is expected to join the Big 12 next season, and the Cougars (4-5) have been adjusting their nonconference schedule to accommodate a rigorous eight-game league schedule.

Former Boise State football coach Harsin fired by Auburn after less than two seasons

Boise State football coach Andy Avalos has faced BYU as a player and coach. He played linebacker for the Broncos from 2000 to 2004 and he was an assistant coach at his alma mater from 2012 to 2018. It’s safe to say he knows a thing or two about what it takes to prepare for a game against the Cougars.

“It requires you to be your best every single day this week,” Avalos said. “Whether we’re playing down there or we’re playing up here, this is always a game where the atmosphere in the stadium is very electric.”

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said Monday that he hopes to see Boise State back on the Cougars’ schedule in the future.

“I don’t want to see a good thing end,” Sitake told reporters during his weekly press conference. “I’ve really enjoyed playing them. I think they have a good brand of football. I like their style.”

Boise State (6-2, 5-0 Mountain West) leads the all-time series 8-4, including a 27-16 win on the road last season over then-No. 10 BYU. The rivalry between the teams dates back to 2003, and it includes plenty of memorable games.

The Broncos won back-to-back one-point affairs at home early in the series, though the games were played years apart. Boise State held on for a 28-27 win in 2004 and a 7-6 victory the next time the teams met, which was in 2012.

In 2015, former Eagle High quarterback Tanner Mangum flung a fourth-down Hail Mary to the end zone that Mitchell Juergens caught to put BYU ahead 28-24 with 45 seconds remaining. The Cougars won 35-24 after returning an interception for a score in the final seconds.

“I think they bring out the best in us in crucial moments,” Sitake said.

The Broncos won a close one at home in 2016, when former Boise State defensive lineman David Moa blocked a field-goal attempt with 16 seconds left to seal another 28-27 victory.

In 2018, former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson led a late drive to Boise State’s 2-yard line, but the Broncos came up with a sack with 7 seconds left to preserve a 21-16 win at home. BSU is 5-1 against the Cougars at Albertsons Stadium.

In 2019, Boise State trimmed an 18-point deficit to three late in the fourth quarter, but BYU scored on a couple of trick plays and picked up a first down on fourth-and-inches with 2:17 to play to hang on for a 28-25 win in Provo, Utah.

Boise State and BYU are heading in opposite directions this season.

The Broncos are on a four-game winning streak after opening the season 2-2, firing offensive coordinator Tim Plough and losing four-year starting quarterback Hank Bachmeier to the transfer portal. They’re the last team that is undefeated in Mountain West play.

BYU won four of its first five games this season, but the Cougars have lost four in a row, including a 27-24 setback against East Carolina last week.

BYU is averaging 23.2 points a game since a 28-20 loss to Notre Dame on Oct. 8. The Cougars average just shy of 150 rushing yards a game this season.

Quarterback Jaren Hall has thrown for 2,245 yards and 21 touchdowns, and Avalos said he’s one of the best passers Boise State will face this season.

“He’s a quarterback that makes all the throws,” Avalos said. “He makes throws down the field on the outside, he makes throws over the middle of the field and the intermediate throws. What comes with that is his ability to extend the pocket and be able to move and throw on the run.”

Green honored by conference

Boise State quarterback Taylen Green was named Mountain West Offensive Player and Freshman of the Week on Monday after he led the Broncos to a 49-10 win over Colorado State on Saturday.

The 6-foot-6, 215-pound redshirt freshman posted a career-high 305 passing yards and added two touchdowns through the air. He also finished the game with 13 rushing yards and a 10-yard touchdown run on just three carries.

Green took over as the starter after Bachmeier opted to transfer following a loss to 15-point underdog UTEP on Sept. 23.

The Broncos are 4-0 since Green took over. He has thrown for 862 yards and four touchdowns and added 258 yards and five more scores on the ground this season.