Boise State Broncos Set to Face Air Force Falcons in Mountain West Opener

BOISE, Idaho — The Boise State Broncos are preparing for their Mountain West opener against the Air Force Falcons on Saturday at 5 p.m. Mountain time. After a bye week, the Broncos (1-1) will look to extend their winning streak in conference openers, having not lost one since joining the Mountain West in 2011.

Air Force (1-1) comes off a tough loss against Utah State, where they fell 49-30 despite outgaining their opponents in rushing yards. The Falcons’ offense relies heavily on the triple option, making up over 76% of their offensive plays with a significant focus on running the ball. Head coach Spencer Danielson emphasized the challenges of defending against this attack.

“They put you in conflict because with the triple option attack, you’ve got to tackle the dive, you have the quarterback running threat and then you have the pitch,” he said in a press conference. “Once you are not fitting exactly where you should be, it is going to be an explosive for them.”

Air Force quarterback Josh Johnson has demonstrated versatility, having thrown for two touchdowns on only nine completions. Meanwhile, wide receiver Cade Harris is a standout performer, leading the team in both rushing and receiving yards.

Boise State’s efficiency in the passing game will be crucial against Air Force’s defense, which has struggled, ranking 135th in the FBS in pass success rate allowed. Danielson noted that the Broncos don’t need to focus on making big plays, rather they should concentrate on achieving consistent gains.

The Broncos are coming off a bye week, which has historically favored them. They hold a 16-1 record following bye weeks since joining the Mountain West. Danielson stated that this rest period was important for recovery and preparation before facing a strong opponent like Air Force.

Both teams’ defenses will be tested, especially considering Air Force’s difficulty in stopping explosive plays this season. The Broncos anticipate a challenging matchup but are optimistic about their prospects.

With the game broadcast live on CBS Sports Network, anticipation builds as fans look forward to whether Boise State can assert their dominance in the conference.