WAC roundup: Broncos whitewash NMSU

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Kellen Moore threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns, and Boise State's defense allowed just 150 yards and logged six sacks as the 11th-ranked Broncos beat New Mexico State 49-0 Saturday night.

Boise State (8-0, 4-0 Western Athletic Conference) beat the Aggies 58-0 last season in Idaho and, after generating 495 total yards this time, simply kept things going a year later.

Ian Johnson and Jeremy Avery took turns ripping off long runs, each scoring a TD, as the Broncos kept the chain crew huffing and puffing all night. Kyle Wilson had a 71-yard punt return for a TD.

The Aggies (3-5, 1-3) were overmatched from the start.

Moore, a redshirt freshman, put Boise State up 7-0 on a 14-yard throw to Jeremy Childs midway through the first period. Wilson's interception set up Johnson's 11-yard TD burst, where he broke through three tacklers and dived into the end zone.

After a fumble by New Mexico State's Chris Williams, Avery added a 10-yard TD run. Moore threw a 23-yard TD pass to Austin Pettis and Boise State led 28-0 with 10 minutes before halftime.

Moore played three quarters, completing 15-of-23 with one interception.

The Broncos weren't perfect. Julian Hawkins fumbled inside NMSU's 20 when the Broncos seemed ready to extend their 28-0 lead. There was a missed 41-yard field goal attempt by Kyle Brotzman and a flurry of penalties — 11 for 90 yards.

It didn't matter.

With New Mexico State's defense missing tackle after tackle and an injury-depleted offensive line unable to generate a ground game or protect quarterback Chase Holbrook, it was target practice for Boise State on both sides of the ball.

Holbrook was 12-of-20 for just 64 yards passing with one interception.

LOUISIANA TECH 38, FRESNO STATE 35: At Ruston, La., Daniel Porter rushed for 189 yards and two touchdowns to help Louisiana Tech hold off Fresno State.

Tom Brandstater, who was 23-of-38 for 296 yards and four touchdowns for Fresno State (5-3, 2-2 Western Athletic Conference), hit Seyi Ajirotutu on a 13-yard pass that tied the score at 7-7 going into the second quarter after Porter's 1-yard rushing touchdown.