BACKUP QB LEADS BOISE ST. TO WIN

No. 25 Boise State 49, Air Force 30

Jack Sears’ first throw as a starting quarterback in two years went for a 75-yard touchdown.

That’s not a bad way to make an instant impression with his new teammates.

Sears threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score while filling in for starter Hank Bachmeier, Avery Williams scored on an 88-yard kickoff return and No. 25 Boise State (2-0, 2-0 Mountain West) beat Air Force (1-2, 0-2) 49-30 on Saturday night at the Air Force Academy in Colorado.

“Jack’s a cool customer,” Boise State coach Bryan Harsin said. “He’s got it. He’s got that energy about him.”

The last time Sears started a game was 2018 — when he was a redshirt freshman at USC. He threw for 235 yards and two TDS against Arizona State.

In between then and Saturday, he’s had quite a journey: playing backup for the Trojans and sitting out last season to focus on his degree before transferring to Boise State. He played a few snaps in a blowout win last weekend against Utah State — throwing three passes — but nothing like his performance Saturday, with Bachmeier not making the trip for an unspecified reason.

Asked about when he

found out he was starting, Sears played coy. He did say the decision wasn’t sprung on him. Sears made the most of his chance by finishing 17 of 20 for 280 yards and no turnovers.

Simply following Harsin’s advice.

“Coach preached to let loose. Have a good time and just trust your training, trust your abilities,“Sears said. “I think that’s why I was able to play so freely tonight.”

CT Thomas hauled in two of Sears’ TD passes, including a tone-setting 75yarder on the game’s first play.

The Broncos have now captured 11 straight games over league foes. It’s their longest streak since joining the league in 2011.

San Jose State 38, New Mexico 21: Nick Starkel passed for 467 yards and five touchdowns to help San Jose State (2-0, 2-0) earn a home victory over New Mexico (0-1, 0-1).

Wyoming 31, Hawaii 7: Xazavian Valladay and Trey Smith each rushed for 85plus yards and two touchdowns, and Wyoming (1-1, 1-1) cruised past Hawaii (1-1, 1-1) late Friday night in Laramie, Wyo.