Boise State’s ‘Texas Connection’ helps Broncos overcome sluggish start in Frisco Bowl

Boise State quarterback Taylen Green couldn’t help but laugh during practice at the Dallas Cowboys facility, The Star, because he could almost see the house his parents just moved into in Frisco, Texas.

Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty scored 41 touchdowns his senior year at Lone Star High in Frisco, which is about four miles from Toyota Stadium — home to FC Dallas, and the site of the annual Frisco Bowl.

Two of Boise State’s most promising young football stars looked right at home Saturday as the Broncos scored four touchdowns in the second half of a 35-32 win over North Texas in the sixth rendition of the Frisco Bowl. They looked right at home because they were.

“We’re literally in our backyard,” Green said after the game. “It’s just a blessing to play in front of friends and family one more time.”

Green and Jeanty combined for 297 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. They led the way as the Broncos (10-4) racked up 318 rushing yards, which was a season high for Boise State and a Frisco Bowl record.

After the Broncos went into halftime trailing 10-6, the duo also helped Boise State outscore North Texas 22-14 in the third quarter. It was the most points the Broncos have scored in a quarter of a bowl game in program history.

“The message at halftime was just keep doing what you’re doing, don’t stress and just be comfortable,” Green said. “We’ve been in this position before and we know to trust the game plan and the coaching.”

Boise State was without 1,000-yard rusher George Holani for most of the game. He left with an injury in the second quarter and didn’t return. That left Jeanty to carry the load, and he was the spark the offense needed in the second half.

Jeanty, a freshman, notched a 34-yard run on the Broncos’ first play of the third quarter. Green scored on a 3-yard run a few plays later, and Boise State converted a two-point conversion on a trick play that saw holder Connor Riddle throw a pass to long snapper Mason Hutton for a 14-10 lead — the Broncos’ first of the game.

Jeanty opened another third-quarter drive with an 18-yard run, paving the way for Green to find yet another Texas native, wide receiver Eric McAlister, on a 24-yard touchdown pass that gave the Broncos a 21-17 lead.

Jeanty finished the game with a career-high 178 rushing yards and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run that gave the Broncos a 35-24 lead early in the fourth quarter. It was the second 100-yard rushing game of his career.

“We have a big emphasis on just getting the drive started, just making positive plays even though it might be 3 or 4 yards,” Green said. “Ashton and George, they’re really, really talented. When they’re doing good, it just makes it a lot easier and it gives confidence to the O-line and to me.”

Green finished the game with 119 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. His 19-yard touchdown run gave the Broncos a 28-24 lead in the closing seconds of the third quarter. He also completed 13-of-22 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown through the air, and he was named Frisco Bowl Offensive MVP.

It was a fitting end to a whirlwind few months for the 6-foot-6, 220-pound redshirt freshman. He took over at quarterback after four-year starter Hank Bachmeier decided to transfer and offensive coordinator Tim Plough was fired four games into the season.

Green is 8-2 as the Broncos’ starter, and he finished the season with 2,042 yards and 14 touchdowns through the air and 586 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.

“I’m blessed to have an amazing team,” said Green, who was named Mountain West Freshman of the Year in November. “All the leaders took me in, and I love this coaching staff because they’re always challenging me on stuff I can get better at.”

Boise State freshman sets Frisco Bowl record as Broncos rally to beat Mean Green

Sixth-year linebacker Ezekiel Noa was named Defensive MVP on Saturday. He snagged an interception that set up one of kicker Jonah Dalmas’ two field goals in the first half. Noa also finished the game with six tackles. Safety Alexander Tuebner led the Broncos with 13 tackles after replacing JL Skinner, who was a late scratch because of an undisclosed injury.

“We’ve talked about it all year, just being resilient and staying in the fight,” Noa said. “We just have to play our game on defense because we know when we do that, we can be unstoppable.”

Noa and the defense had to come up with a few late stops to seal the win.

Redshirt freshman Jaylen Clark ended a North Texas drive with an interception early in the fourth quarter, which set up Jeanty’s touchdown run that gave the Broncos their two-possession lead.

The Broncos also had to come up with two big stands after North Texas running back Ikaika Ragsdale’s second rushing touchdown of the night cut Boise State’s lead to 35-32 with 8 minutes to play.

Boise State forced North Texas quarterback Austin Aune (17-of-32, 238, 1 TD, 2 INT) to rush a throw that fell incomplete on third-and-11, forcing a punt with 2:24 left in regulation. After the Broncos were forced to punt on their next possession, the Mean Green (7-7) found themselves needing to convert a fourth down with 52 seconds left to keep their hopes of a comeback alive, but Tuebner broke up Aune’s pass, allowing Boise State to run out the clock.

“Some of those guys played their best games of the season tonight,” Boise State coach Andy Avalos said of the defensive effort. “The things our players did to prepare for this game, it was pretty cool to see.”

The Broncos put an end to their long list of postseason disappointments Saturday. They notched their first bowl win since 2017. They’ll head into the offseason with some momentum and, most importantly, Avalos said, they’ll send seniors like Noa, Skinner, linebacker DJ Schramm, left tackle John Ojukwu and defensive lineman Scott Matlock off in style after they’ve given so much to the program.

“When you get into this profession, there are a lot of hours that go into it and a lot of sacrifice,” Avalos said. “If you aren’t doing it for the young men involved, then you’re going to burn out.”