BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Ashton Jeanty ran for 259 yards and four touchdowns, Matt Lauter had four catches for 96 yards and two scores and No. 25 Boise State surged past Washington State 45-24 on Saturday night.

Boise State (3-1) played its first game as a ranked team since 2020, pulling away in the fourth quarter against its future Pac-12 Conference rival. Washington State (4-1) had no answer for Jeanty – and no ground game of its own.

Jeanty, who entered the game leading the nation in rushing yards per game with 195.3, wasted little time piling up the yards. On Boise State’s fifth play after the scrimmage, he broke four tackles around the line of scrimmage before outrunning the rest of the defense with a 64-yard TD run. He finished with 26 carries and had 7 yards receiving.

The Cougars responded with a quick attack of their own as quarterback John Mateer needed just three plays to go 65 yards, firing a 14-yard TD pass to Cooper Mathers.

Jeanty added a 14-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter to give the Broncos a 17-10 halftime lead.

Despite stifling Boise State’s offense early in the second half, Washington State coach Jake Dickert gambled on a fourth-and-inch from his own 27 late in the third quarter. But Boise State’s defense stiffened, allowing Mateer the half-yard got what he needed.

Three plays later, Maddux hit Madsen Lauter on a 22-yard score, pushing Boise State’s lead to 24-10 with 1:22 left in the third quarter.

Then, after another Washington State touchdown cut the deficit in half, Jeanty went on another electrifying run, this time racing 59 yards by breaking three tackles and dodging another on the goal line to dive in for the score.

Mateer threw for 327 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Wayshawn Parker led Washington State in rushing with 35 yards.

Madsen threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns for Boise State.

THE TAKEAWAY

Boise State: The Broncos appear to be in the driver’s seat for a playoff bid among the Group of 5 conferences — and on a collision course with Mountain West conference foe UNLV. The two teams clash on Oct. 25 and could meet again for the conference title if a playoff bid is on the line.

Washington State: The Cougars will use their week off to work on strengthening a porous defense that has given up 52 and 45 points in their last two games, respectively.

NEXT

Boise State: Hosts Utah State on Saturday.

Washington State: At Fresno State on October 12.

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