Riley's Fourth-Quarter Burst Lifts Boise State Over Washington State

Boise State defeated Washington State 31-10 on Saturday to claim its first victory in Pullman and enter the AP Poll at No. 20.

The Broncos relied on a physical rushing attack to control the game, accumulating 258 yards on 37 carries against a Washington State defense that crowded the line of scrimmage for most of the contest.

Junior running back Dylan Riley recorded 128 yards and two touchdowns, but the bulk of his production arrived in the final quarter. Riley gained 105 yards on just two plays in the fourth quarter, while his other 11 carries produced only 23 yards earlier in the game.

Boise State coach Spencer Danielson noted that the team aimed to run the football consistently to find space. "That's the mentality. We need to be able to run the football as an offense, little by little, we're going to find our spot," Danielson said after the game. The strategy shifted in the closing minutes when the Broncos scored 21 points in the final 15 minutes to pull away from a 10-10 tie.

Riley remains the leading rusher in the nation with 963 yards on the season. The Broncos' current profile mirrors their 2024 campaign, when they entered the College Football Playoff as a one-loss team featuring the nation's top rusher and a midseason top-20 ranking. Boise State currently holds a one-loss record, with New Mexico, UTSA, and James Madison close behind in the Group of 6 race for a playoff spot.

The Broncos are favored in their next four games, starting with a Halloween night matchup against Texas State. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. MT. A home game against Oregon State, which features the nation's leading passer, is also on the upcoming schedule.