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San Jose State takes aim at Boise State, seeking first road win in series

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SAN JOSE — San Jose State is hoping to do something Saturday that it hasn’t done in school history: beat Boise State on the road.

The Spartans are off to a 1-4 start, but there are signs this might be SJSU’s best chance yet to finally get the best of the Broncos on their blue turf.

The Spartans are coming off a bye week and Boise State hasn’t looked like the team that has dominated the Mountain West for the last decade after rising from the WAC. The Broncos have started their season 2-3 and most recently lost to Memphis by blowing a 17-point lead.

“I’m feeling really good going into Boise,” said SJSU receiver Nick Nash. “I just feel like the bye gave us a lot of energy and we’re certainly hungry for a win.”

The Spartans are 1-13 all-time against the Broncos with their only win coming in 2020 when they beat Boise State 34-20 in the Mountain West Championship in Las Vegas.

San Jose State defensive lineman Cade Hall sacks Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier during the first half of Mountain West Conference championship game last December in Las Vegas. The Spartans, who square off with USC in the Trojans' season opener on Sept. 4 season at the Coliseum, return all 11 starters on defense, including Hall, the 2020 MWC Defensive Player of the Year. (AP Photo/John Locher)
San Jose State defensive lineman Cade Hall sacks Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier during the first half of Mountain West Conference championship game in December 2020 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) 

SJSU comes into Saturday’s game as a 9.5-point underdog, but coach Brent Brennan has pulled off road upsets before.

Back in 2019, the Spartans marched into Razorback Stadium and defeated Arkansas 31-24 to earn their first-ever win over an SEC opponent. Later that season, the Spartans defeated Army on the road as 10-point underdogs.

“We have to show that we’re not gonna back down,” said safety Tre Jenkins about facing Boise State.

SJSU has not played a road game at Boise State in Brent Brennan’s seven-year run, as the 2020 game was canceled over a Broncos COVID outbreak. The Spartans played in Boise against a different opponent nine months ago, though: They lost to Eastern Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Albertsons Stadium.

“It’s supposed to be 70 degrees when we go up there and last time it felt like 17 degrees,” Brennan said. “At least it’s not the first time most of our team will see the blue turf, so that’s a positive.”

Saturday’s game could have serious bowl game implications. A loss to the Broncos means the Spartans would have to win five of their next six games — two of which are against San Diego State and No. 24 Fresno State — to reach bowl eligibility.

Even with the high stakes, SJSU is not looking at this game differently than any other game on the schedule.

When asked if a win Saturday could help turn the season around, Brennan said, “I don’t think we necessarily think of it that way. I think in college football you have to be a week-to-week guy. Every week is super important and then you get ready for the next one.”

Playing against two QBs

In Boise State’s loss to Memphis last weekend, Broncos head coach Andy Avalos pulled the reigning Mountain West Freshman of the Year, quarterback Taylen Green, in the fourth quarter. Freshman Maddux Madsen played on the Broncos’ third drive of the game, which was planned, but relieved Green for good after Boise State went down 28-17 in the fourth quarter.

Avalos has yet to announce a starter for Saturday, and the quarterback controversy in Boise has complicated SJSU’s preparation this week.

“You have to prepare for both of them because they’re both really good,” Brennan said. “I would anticipate we will see both.”

Green and Madsen have different play styles that can change what Boise State’s offense looks like. Green is a more dual-threat quarterback while Madsen resembles more of a pocket passer.

“They both are very efficient in what they do,” said SJSU defensive coordinator Derrick Odum. “(Green) is really athletic and can hurt you with the extended plays. (Madsen) is a really accurate passer.”

Opportunities through the air

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