Boise St. Crushes NMSU

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Taylor Tharp threw a career-high four touchdown passes and Ian Johnson had 158 total yards and a touchdown to help Boise State roll to a 58-0 victory over New Mexico State on Sunday night.

All four of Tharp’s TDs came in the first half when the Broncos (4-1, 1-0 Western Athletic Conference) scored on five of their first six drives to take a 35-0 lead.

But the win, Boise State’s third straight, was a total team effort. The Broncos blocked a pair of punts, one leading to the second score, a 25-yard screen pass from Tharp to receiver Jeremy Childs.

And the Broncos’ defense throttled the Aggies’ potent passing attack, allowing just 64 total yards in the first half. New Mexico State (3-3, 0-1) came into the game with the nation’s seventh-ranked passing attack, averaging 340 yards, but crossed midfield just once through the first three quarters.

Aggies quarterback Chase Holbrook, who was a game-time decision to play after injuring his ribs last week, started but was replaced by freshman J.J. McDermott in the second quarter. Holbrook was 4-of-8 for 32 yards and an interception.McDermott struggled the rest of the way, finishing 10-of-19 for 57 yards and two interceptions. Overall, the Aggies had just 89 total yards in offense, including minus-23 rushing.

Tharp left late in the third quarter with the game well in hand. He was 19-of-26 for 251 yards and the four TDs

Childs, who caught six passes, caught the first when Tharp found him alone in the back of the end zone, capping a 10-play, 66-yard drive on Boise State’s first possession. Then late in the first quarter, Tharp fired a 50-yard pass to Titus Young, putting Boise State up 21-0.

Tharp’s final TD came with 8:22 left in the half, an 18-yard touchdown to tight end Ryan Putnam.

Johnson rushed for 85 yards on 17 carries, including a 6-yard TD run late in the half to put the Broncos up 35-0. Johnson also caught four passes for 73 yards, including a 47-yard shovel pass that helped set up another touchdown that put Boise State up 45-0.

Overall, Boise State had 604 total yards, with 233 of that coming on the ground.