Boise State loses Maddux Madsen to injury, pulls off stunning comeback behind Max Cutforth

Max Cutforth Leads Boise State Past Texas State 46-45 After Halftime Collapse

No. 20 Boise State was in complete control at halftime of Saturday’s Pac-12 matchup with Texas State at Albertsons Stadium, having scored on all four of their first-half possessions to build a 28-3 advantage. Everything flipped after the break as Texas State ripped off 36 straight points, turning a comfortable blowout into a frantic, rain-soaked thriller in Boise.

As reported by CBSSports.com, backup quarterback Max Cutforth threw three touchdown passes in the final seven minutes in relief of injured starter Maddux Madsen, rallying the Broncos to a stunning 46-45 victory. The win keeps Boise State at 7-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play, surviving a night that head coach Spencer Danielson called a rollercoaster.

“The third quarter was one of the worst quarters of football that I’ve ever been a part of,” Danielson said, according to CBSSports.com. “But then in the fourth quarter, we throw a pick-six, we’re down 11 and a quarterback. But I’m proud of this team and this group of leaders that found a way to win.”

Madsen Exits With Knee Injury as Bobcats Surge

Madsen had been nearly flawless through the first two quarters, completing 18 of 21 passes for 202 yards with one passing touchdown and two rushing scores. But the offensive rhythm dissolved immediately after halftime, producing four punts, a lost fumble, and Madsen’s first interception of the season.

That turnover proved costly when Texas State defensive back Jayden Bradley returned the pick 90-plus yards for a touchdown, capping 36 unanswered points by the Bobcats and giving the upset-minded visitors a 39-28 lead with 8:58 remaining. Midway through that fourth-quarter sequence, Madsen took a low hit to his left knee. He needed assistance leaving the field, emerged from the medical tent on crutches with an ice pack, and watched the remainder of the contest from the sideline.

Danielson noted after the game that the severity of the injury remains unconfirmed. “We’re going through it. I know it initially didn’t look great, and our doctors are going through it,” Danielson told the Idaho Statesman. “So we’ll see what it is. He’s a warrior. He’s a competitor.”

Cutforth Steps In and Delivers in the Clutch

Cutforth, a fourth-year junior from Nampa, Idaho’s Skyview High School, faced a similar emergency situation last season when Madsen suffered an injury against Fresno State in a game the Broncos lost 30-7. This time, the outcome was drastically different.

Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen left in the fourth quarter of Boise State’s home win over Texas State on Saturday with — Photo: idahostatesman.com

Taking over trailing by 11 with under nine minutes left, Cutforth completed four straight passes, culminating in a nine-yard touchdown strike to Rasean Jones. After a failed Texas State trick play resulted in an interception by Boise State’s Mana Tuioti, Cutforth directed another scoring march, connecting with true freshman Rasean Jones for an 11-yard touchdown that briefly put the Broncos ahead 40-39.

Following a 72-yard touchdown catch by Texas State’s Zechariah Sample that put the Bobcats back on top, Cutforth engineered a six-play, 75-yard drive. He found Akeem Wright for an 18-yard game-winning touchdown with 2:40 remaining. Cutforth finished 8-of-13 for 131 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover.

“Getting to play last year, I gained a lot of experience,” Cutforth told CBSSports.com. “I took big steps in learning how to be a backup, so that’s helped me. I just tell myself every week that I’m going in.”

Defense Holds Fast as Kellen Moore Is Honored

Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson kept the Bobcats’ upset bid alive by shredding the Boise State secondary for 327 yards and four touchdowns. However, the beleaguered Boise defense came up with two decisive stops down the stretch. Aside from Tuioti’s interception on the trick-play pass intended by wide receiver Tucker Cusano, the Broncos sealed the win with a crucial four-and-out featuring a fourth-down pass breakup by Jaden Mickey.

Boise State QB Maddux Madsen making progress after knee injury

The wild finish unfolded against the backdrop of a major program celebration. Legendary Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore returned to Albertsons Stadium on Saturday, where the university unveiled an 11-foot bronze statue in his honor near the northeast entrance at halftime.

With the victory secured, Boise State moves forward toward a road matchup against Colorado State next Saturday, while Texas State prepares to face Oregon State.