No. 1 Boise State Survives No. 4 Memphis 42–34 in Double Overtime Game of the Year

By Michael Blouse, The Stateline Gazette

BOISE, Idaho — For the first time this season, No. 1 Boise State was forced to the brink. For the first time, the Broncos were chased, challenged and stretched beyond their comfort zone.

And for the first time, they proved they could still escape.

Maddux Madsen threw for 354 yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing score as unbeaten Boise State rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to outlast No. 4 Memphis 42–34 in double overtime Tuesday night in what instantly became the Stateline Conference’s game of the year.

Boise State improved to 4–0, surviving its most severe test yet. Memphis fell to 2–2, but not before pushing the nation’s top-ranked team to its limit in a dramatic, back-and-forth classic.

“This is the kind of game that shapes you,” Boise State head coach Devin Grade said. “We didn’t play our cleanest football, but we never stopped believing. Against a team like Memphis, that matters.”

Memphis controlled the early narrative behind quarterback Brendon Lewis, who carved up the Boise State defense in the first half. Lewis threw touchdown passes to Jamari Hawkins and Brady Kluse and guided the Tigers to a 17–3 lead late in the second quarter.

Boise State found momentum just before halftime when Madsen capped a late drive with a five-yard rushing touchdown, trimming the deficit to 17–10.

When Sutton Smith broke free for a 20-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, Memphis appeared poised to deliver the knockout blow, stretching the lead to 24–10.

Instead, Boise State responded with resolve. Dylan Riley powered in a short rushing touchdown midway through the third quarter, beginning a slow but steady comeback.

Still, Memphis held control late, taking a 27–17 lead with under two minutes remaining. That’s when Madsen took over.

The junior quarterback found Latrell Caples for a 25-yard touchdown with 1:01 left, then led one final drive after a Memphis three-and-out. Boise State drilled a 48-yard field goal as time expired to force overtime, a kick made possible by a timeout preserved earlier in the quarter.

Both teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime. Lewis hit Kluse for a 21-yard score, and Madsen answered by finding Riley, who finished the night with both a rushing and receiving touchdown.

In the second overtime, Boise State struck first. Madsen connected with tight end Matt Lauter for a touchdown before bulldozing his way into the end zone on the two-point conversion. Memphis reached the four-yard line on its possession, but Lewis’ fourth-down pass was broken up in the end zone, sending the Boise State sideline into a frenzy.

“We had chances,” Memphis head coach John Horak said. “Against the No. 1 team in the country, you can’t leave plays on the field. I’m proud of how our guys fought, and I know exactly what kind of team we are.”

Madsen finished 25 of 34 for 354 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, adding 36 rushing yards and a score on eight carries. Boise State totaled 461 yards of offense, including 107 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Caples led the Broncos with eight receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown, while Lauter added four catches for 81 yards and a score. Riley contributed 32 rushing yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 38 yards and another score.

Lewis was sharp in defeat, completing 22 of 28 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns. Memphis totaled 363 yards, including 73 rushing yards. Smith accounted for two scores and more than 100 yards from scrimmage, rushing 15 times for 62 yards and catching 10 passes for 48 yards. Kluse finished with four receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown, while Hawkins added a 57-yard touchdown catch.

In the end, Memphis showed it belongs among the Stateline Conference’s elite.

Boise State showed something else entirely.

The Broncos can be outplayed, outmatched and pushed to the edge — and still walk off the field unbeaten.