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Boise State QB Maddux Madsen Out for Colorado State Game

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Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen will not play in Saturday’s Pac-12 game against Colorado State, according to a final Week 10 player availability report released Saturday afternoon. The news comes as a major blow to the No. 25 Broncos (7-1, 4-0 Pac-12), who are scheduled to travel to Canvas Stadium for a 4 p.m. Mountain time kickoff.

The absence of Madsen isn’t an isolated issue for the Broncos’ offensive unit. In a series of setbacks that threaten the rhythm of a high-performing team, Boise State will also be without starting left guard Carson Rasmussen and No. 2 running back Sire Gaines. This trio of absences forces a significant restructuring of the offensive line and the backfield just as the team looks to maintain its momentum in the conference standings.

Max Cutforth steps into the starting role

Backup quarterback Max Cutforth is set to receive the start against the Rams. Cutforth has already demonstrated an ability to manage high-pressure situations; last week, he entered the game in the fourth quarter to relieve Madsen following a left knee injury. During that contest against Texas State, Cutforth guided the Broncos through a comeback that resulted in three fourth-quarter touchdowns and a 46-45 victory.

The situation surrounding Madsen has been a point of intense focus for the coaching staff throughout the week. While Madsen was initially listed as questionable, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on Friday that the quarterback would miss the Colorado State game with a target to return next week against Oregon State (5-3, 3-1). Madsen’s injury occurred during the final frame of the Texas State game when he suffered an apparent injury to his left knee.

Head coach Spencer Danielson provided some clarity on the medical status of his leader on Monday, noting that an MRI showed no major damage. Although Madsen is officially considered day-to-day, he was unable to participate significantly in Thursday’s practice. Danielson noted that while the staff considered starting Madsen despite his limited preparation, the decision ultimately rested on the quarterback’s ability to protect himself and execute plays effectively.

“With who Maddux is, I mean he’s one of the most brilliant quarterbacks we’ve had here,” Danielson said. “So it’s something we’re going to work through as a staff. I think the world of Maddux, but it’s all about ‘Can he take care of himself? Can he make the plays he needs to make?’ And that’s what we’re still working through.”

Absences in the trenches and the backfield

The impact of these injuries extends beyond the quarterback position, creating a vacuum in the offensive interior and the rushing attack. The loss of Carson Rasmussen is particularly notable for the continuity of the line. Rasmussen is now set to miss his fifth consecutive game after sustaining an undisclosed injury during the matchup against Western Michigan on Sept. 26.

Boise State QB Maddux Madsen Out for Colorado State Game

The running game also loses a key component in Sire Gaines. Gaines has been a steady presence when healthy, recording 75 carries for 418 yards and five total touchdowns across five games this season. He missed two games earlier this year due to a wrist injury and was sidelined during the Texas State game with an undisclosed lower-body injury.

The statistical reality of the upcoming matchup presents a complex landscape for the Boise State coaching staff. On one hand, the Broncos are facing a Colorado State defense that has struggled significantly, ranking last among all FBS teams in several key metrics:

Boise State at Oregon: Maddux Madsen post-game interview
Metric Colorado State Average FBS Rank
Points Allowed Per Game 42.4 138 of 138
Yards Allowed Per Game 526.4 138 of 138

While the statistical vulnerability of the Colorado State defense might suggest an opportunity for the backup unit to flourish, the simultaneous loss of the starting left guard and a primary running back complicates the execution of the run game and pass protection. The Broncos must rely on depth players like Cash Herrera, whom Danielson noted has performed well as the No. 2 quarterback during the week, to bridge the gap.

The immediate stakes involve more than just a single Saturday afternoon. For a Boise State team sitting at 7-1, maintaining a perfect Pac-12 record is critical for postseason positioning. The ability of Max Cutforth and the remaining offensive core to navigate a game against a high-scoring defense—while missing key protection and rushing support—will likely define the trajectory of the Broncos’ late-season push.

The next scheduled movement for the Boise State offense depends on Madsen’s recovery, with the team looking toward the matchup against Oregon State next week.

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