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Boise State cruises past Utah State

Nov 9, 2008 - 1:23 AM BOISE, Idaho (Ticker) -- Four different Boise State players threw for touchdowns as the 10th-ranked Broncos remained unbeaten with a 49-14 victory over Utah State on Saturday.

Quarterback Kellen Moore completed 27-of-36 passes for 362 yards and a pair of touchdowns while wide receivers Tanyon Bissell and Vinny Perretta and backup quarterback Mike Coughlin also connected on scoring throws for the Broncos (9-0, 5-0 WAC).

"We kind of just go with the flow, take what the defense is giving you," Moore said. "Their front, I think, was pretty good. They played a pretty good game. But we've got skill guys that I just have to give them the ball and let them play."

With the win, Boise State remained in contention for a BCS bowl bid for the second time in three seasons.

The Broncos, who entered the weekend ranked 10th in the BCS standings, are battling with fellow unbeaten and eighth-ranked Utah for an at-large, non-BCS team berth into one of the five BCS bowl games.

Boise State also maintained its lead over second-place San Jose State (6-3, 4-1) in the Western Athletic Conference standings with three league contests remaining.

Moore and Jeremy Childs connected six times for 126 yards and a pair of touchdowns while Austin Pettis had two scores and Perretta added another touchdown catch.

"It's fun, especially when the ball's going all over the place," Perretta said of the trick plays used by the Broncos. "Just as long as we win, whether it's by one point or who knows how many.

"But it's good to see a lot of guys contribute. I think that's what's so special about our offense - there are so many guys that can step in and do great things."

The Broncos jumped out to a 7-0 lead when Moore and Pettis hooked up on a 7-yard strike and added three scores in the second quarter to pull ahead, 28-0.

Ellis Powers recovered a fumble and returned it 4 yards for the score and Bissell's 57-yard touchdown throw to Childs came 3:11 after Ian Johnson found the end zone from 1-yard out to put the Broncos up four touchdowns.

"We've been doing a great job. Our main goal, obviously, is to get the ball back to our offense," Powers said. "Sometimes we don't get the opportunities (to score). ... Sometimes you get an interception and fall down, but you don't always get the opportunity to run it back."

Utah State (2-8, 2-4) halved the deficit with a pair of touchdown throws by Sean Setzer.

The senior connected with Doug Barbour on a 51-yard score late in the first half and then found Robert Turbin from 29 yards out on the first possession of the third quarter to make it 28-14.

Setzer completed 19-of-32 for 226 yards with two interceptions.

But the Broncos scored a pair of touchdowns late in the third quarter and kept the Aggies off the scoreboard to put the game away.

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It was an undisciplined contest for both the Broncos and the Aggies, who combined for nine turnovers and 25 penalties for 222 yards.

"To the kids' credit, they find a way to get it done," Boise State coach Chris Peterson said. "They play hard. They keep scratching and fighting until it's over."