Boise State wins eighth straight to claim Mountain West title
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Boise, ID (SportsNetwork.com) - Grant Hedrick ran for two touchdowns for No. 22 Boise State, which is likely heading back to a major bowl game following a 28-14 win over Fresno State in the Mountain West Championship Game on the blue turf at Albertsons Stadium.
Hedrick completed 9-of-16 passes for 155 yards and racked up 81 yards on nine carries for Boise State (11-2), which will take an eight-game win streak into bowl season. Jay Ajayi's seven-game 100-yard streak came to an end, but the junior back still picked up 70 yards and a touchdown on the ground in the victory.
"An amazing way for our seniors to finish on the blue," Hedrick said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}With the Mountain West title, the Broncos will be the highest-ranked conference champ from the Group of 5. They are expected to receive a bid to either the Fiesta Bowl, Cotton Bowl or Peach Bowl on Jan. 1.
Brian Burrell threw for 332 yards on 30-of-45 efficiency with a touchdown and three interceptions for Fresno State (6-7), which had won three in a row coming into the game. The Bulldogs were denied a second straight conference title.
Fresno State beat Utah State, 24-17, in the inaugural Mountain West championship game last season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}On Boise State's fourth play from scrimmage, Hedrick used a play fake to create a hole and run 20 yards to a touchdown. Ajayi ran for 11 yards on two carries and Chaz Anderson hauled in a 46-yard reception, leading to the early score.
Burrell threw interceptions on back-to-back possessions late in the first quarter. Donte Deayon picked him off in the end zone, ending a promising drive, and after a Boise State punt, Burrell forced a throw in traffic on 3rd- and-14. Tanner Vallejo jumped in front and ran it back 63 yards for a score to make it 14-0.
"Any time a team plays well on defense, you have a pretty good football team," said first-year Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin. "They were the most relentless unit tonight."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ajayi found the end zone with a 9-yard run at 9:03 of the second quarter, capping an 11-play trek and extending the lead to 21 points.
Boise State made it 28-0 on Hedrick's second TD run of the game -- a 21-yarder -- but FSU made things interesting with 14 unanswered points to finish the game.
Josh Quezada's short rushing TD late in the third put the Bulldogs on the board, and Burrell's 25-yard strike to Greg Watson near the right pylon had them within two touchdowns.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Garrett Swanson then executed just the second successful onsides kick in Mountain West play this season, but Burrell's heave to Aaron Peck on 4th- and-12 fell incomplete.
Ajayi put a scare into the Boise State faithful with a fumble on the very next play, however Steven Baggett pounced on the loose ball to keep possession with the Blue. Fresno State burned a pair of timeouts and got the ball back on a punt with 2:36 to play.
Burrell picked up a pair of first downs with his arm but Beau Martin intercepted him on 3rd-and-5 from the Boise 29 and sealed the game.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Game Notes
Boise State has scored six non-offensive touchdowns this season, its highest total since 2009 ... Fresno State outgained Boise State 402-304 and picked up 21 first downs compared to just 11 for the Broncos ... Fresno State senior Josh Harper had 10 receptions for 131 yards.