Maddux Madsen throws three touchdowns as Boise State beats Western Michigan 32-7

Maddux Madsen threw three touchdown passes, two to Matt Wagner, and Boise State defeated Western Michigan 32-7 on Saturday in Kalamazoo. The visiting Broncos led 15-0 at halftime and 32-0 late in the fourth quarter before Western Michigan scored with 1:03 remaining. Dylan Riley supplied 138 rushing yards and a touchdown as Boise State controlled both possession and the scoreboard.

Boise State scored on its opening possession. Madsen found Wagner for a 34-yard touchdown with 11:33 left in the first quarter, and Zeke Martinez ran in the two-point conversion. The lead stayed at eight until midway through the second, when Riley finished a drive with a five-yard run. Western Michigan did not reach the end zone before halftime, leaving Boise State with a two-score cushion and a chance to keep leaning on its run game.

The margin grew in the second half. Madsen hit Ben Ford from six yards out in the third quarter, Canaan Moore made a 25-yard field goal just before that period ended, and Madsen connected with Wagner again from two yards with 7:40 left in the fourth. The official play sequence shows Boise State scoring in every quarter while its defense kept Western Michigan off the board until Cole Cabana's two-yard run in the final minute.

Madsen completed 16 of 23 passes for 204 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, according to the box score. Wagner caught seven passes for 94 yards and the two scores. Riley carried 28 times, a workload that helped Boise State hold the ball for 36:46. The visitors gained 377 total yards and converted 10 of 14 third downs. They finished without a turnover.

Western Michigan had more trouble sustaining drives. Broc Lowry completed 15 of 28 passes for 110 yards and threw an interception. The home Broncos gained 223 total yards, converted two of 11 third downs and had the ball for 23:14. Roman Tillmon picked off Lowry in the fourth quarter and returned the ball 22 yards to the Western Michigan 38. Boise State turned that field position into Madsen's second scoring pass to Wagner, extending its lead to 32-0.

Boise State had arrived for the programs' first meeting, with both teams carrying the Broncos nickname. The shared name was about the only resemblance on the field. Boise State's passing efficiency, Riley's steady rushing and a defense that allowed no points until the closing minute produced a decisive road result.