Boise State Beats Texas State 46-45 as Backup Max Cutforth Throws Three Fourth Quarter Touchdowns

Boise State beat Texas State 46-45 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho on Saturday night, October 31, 2026. Backup quarterback Max Cutforth threw three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, the last of them an 18 yard pass to Akeem Wright late in the game, after the Broncos had blown a 25 point halftime lead and lost starter Maddux Madsen to injury.

Boise State scored touchdowns on all four of its first half drives and led 28-3 at halftime, outgaining Texas State 291 yards to 117 in the first half. Madsen ran for two touchdowns and threw one touchdown pass in the first half, and Dylan Riley added a rushing touchdown. Riley also passed 1,000 rushing yards for the season during the game. At halftime the school unveiled a statue of former Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore.

Texas State scores 36 straight points

The second half reversed the game. Chris Dawn Jr. scored on a 67 yard catch and run early in the third quarter. Brad Jackson threw a 3 yard touchdown pass to Ty Stamey, with a two point conversion, and then ran 35 yards for a touchdown himself, cutting the lead to 28-25 by the end of the third quarter.

Beau Sparks caught a 44 yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to give Texas State its first lead at 32-28. Madsen then threw his first interception of the season, and Jayden Bradley returned it 20 yards for a touchdown. Texas State led 39-28, having scored 36 straight points. Texas State, which joined the FBS in 2012, was closing on its first win over a ranked team.

Cutforth answers after Madsen leaves injured

Madsen was hit low in the fourth quarter, was helped off the field with an injury and did not return. Cutforth took over and completed his first four passes, ending the drive with a 9 yard touchdown pass to Rasean Jones. The two point try failed, and Boise State trailed 39-34 with 6:15 left.

Mana Tuioti then intercepted a Texas State trick play pass, giving Boise State the ball at the Texas State 11 yard line. On fourth and 10, Cutforth threw an 11 yard touchdown pass to Jones, and Boise State led 40-39 with 4:14 left after another failed two point try.

Texas State answered at once. Zechariah Sample caught a 72 yard touchdown pass from Jackson, the two point try failed, and Texas State led 45-40. Cutforth responded with a 44 yard pass to Jones and then the 18 yard touchdown pass to Wright, and Boise State led 46-45 after a third failed two point try. The defense then stopped Texas State on fourth down after the two minute warning, with Jaden Mickey in coverage on the play, and Riley ran for the first down that ended the game.

Cutforth finished 8 of 13 passing for 131 yards and three touchdowns. Madsen was 24 of 33 for 236 yards with one touchdown pass, one interception and two rushing touchdowns before he left the game.

What the result means

Boise State improved to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play, and kept its College Football Playoff hopes alive. Texas State fell to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play after leading a ranked team by 11 points in the fourth quarter.