clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

San Jose State stays undefeated, defeats Boise State for Mountain West Championship

The San Jose State Spartans have been one of the great stories in college football this season, going from two wins last season to a conference championship.

Tight end Derrick Deese Jr. #87 of the San Jose State Spartans is tripped up by safety JL Skinner #0 of the Boise State Broncos in the first half of the Mountain West Football Championship at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by David J. Becker/Getty Images

The undefeated No. 24-ranked San Jose State Spartans (6-0), who were underdogs heading into the Mountain West Championship on Saturday, defeated the Boise State Broncos 34-20.

With the win, San Jose State will head to the Arizona Bowl and likely face a team from the Mid-American Conference. The Spartans got a tremendous performance from quarterback Nick Starkel, who has played outstanding throughout this season. Starkel was 32-of-52 for 453 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions.

One of his touchdown passes went to wide receiver Tre Walker, who led both teams in receiving with seven receptions for 137 yards. It did not matter who the Broncos’ defense had covering Walker on Saturday night. Along with Walker, receiver Bailey Gaither played well with five receptions for 98 yards.

The Broncos struggled to score on offense as quarterback Hank Bachmeier produced the lone offensive touchdown, which happened on the ground. Bachmeier was 19-of-38 for 212 passing yards. Boise State’s other touchdown came from a 69-yard punt return by Avery Williams in the third quarter.

Overall, the Spartans’ defense did a tremendous job all around as they held the Broncos’ ground game to two yards on 25 carries. In an unprecedented college football season, the Spartans did what they needed to do and will be rewarded with a bowl berth.