Max Cutforth Leads Boise State to 46-45 Comeback Win Over Texas State

Max Cutforth and Boise State Overcome Texas State in 46-45 Thriller

Boise State backup quarterback Max Cutforth engineered three fourth-quarter touchdown drives, turning an 11-point deficit into a dramatic 46-45 comeback victory over Texas State at Albertsons Stadium. Cutforth entered the contest with 8:15 remaining after starter Maddux Madsen exited due to a knee injury.

Max Cutforth ➡️ Akeem Wright Boise State leads Texas State 46-45 with two minutes left in the game. pic.twitter.com/hb4HwI8Lof

— https://x.com/CBS2Boise/status/2116772608985166125

Almost exactly 364 days earlier, Cutforth had been thrust into a scenario against Fresno State following an ankle injury to Madsen. That prior appearance resulted in a 30-7 defeat where the backup threw for 106 yards and two interceptions. But the lessons learned through that game and a subsequent start in heavy rain at San Diego State forged a different player for this November matchup.

“Playing last year, I got a lot of experience and I felt comfortable,” Cutforth said. “The game slows down, I took big steps in learning how to be a backup, so I’m always ready to go.”

Execution and Momentum in the Fourth Quarter

When Cutforth took the field, the Broncos trailed 39-28, mired in a stretch where they had surrendered 36 unanswered points. Operating with a razor-thin margin for error, the senior from Skyview High completed 8 of 13 passes for 131 yards and three touchdowns.

After Boise State briefly claimed the lead with 4:14 left on the clock, Texas State answered back. Unfazed, Cutforth marched the offense down the field once more, connecting with Akeem Wright for an 18-yard game-winning touchdown pass with 2:40 remaining.

“I don’t know if Max going in was the jolt,” Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said. “But Max going in and executing absolutely did. Because that’s what creates momentum, execution. Big throws down the field, finding the open guy. Fourth-and-10 on the 11-yard line, those things can go any different way. When you’re down the way we were down and playing the way we were playing, we had that much room for error at that point. And I’m super proud of Max.”

The Road Ahead for the Broncos

Prior to Saturday’s game, Cutforth’s season appearances had been limited to three games without a recorded pass attempt. The extent of Madsen’s injury remains unconfirmed, though the starter was spotted on crutches on the sideline after leaving the medical tent.

If Boise State must turn to Cutforth for their upcoming matchup at Colorado State and beyond, they will do so with a quarterback who carried the offense through high-pressure moments late last season—including a 341-yard, three-touchdown performance in a comeback win at Utah State.

“I’m absolutely ready,” Cutforth said. “I think I’ve done a really good job this year preparing like I’m starting. That’s all I got to do.”