Can Maddux Madsen take his performance against Oregon and build on it against Memphis?

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A loss is a loss no matter how you attempt to frame it.

From a 30,000-foot view, Boise State was successful in preserving its chances at a College Football Playoff berth and not getting embarrassed on national television.

But what stood out and bucked an ever-growing narrative was the well-rounded and clutch performance that senior quarterback Maddux Madsen had in Eugene.

Many, including myself, had grown pessimistic about whether he would take the leap necessary to be competitive against high-level programs such as an Oregon, Notre Dame, Penn State, or Washington.

Up until last Saturday, there was little evidence supporting such a progression.

• 12/13/25 vs. Washington – 7/16 for 51 yds, 0 TDs, and 2 INTs.
• 10/4/25 at Notre Dame – 22/37 for 215 yds, 0 TDs, and 4 INTs.
• 12/31/24 vs. Penn State – 23/35 for 304 yds, 1 TD, and 3 INTs.
• 9/7/24 at Oregon – 17/40 for 148 yds, 1 TD, and 0 INTs.

Since becoming certified QB1 entering the 2024 season, he has thrown a total of 15 interceptions.

Nine of those came against P4 competition.

When facing comparable talent, he has proven to show up and lead the Broncos to a win when fully healthy.

That is why the hyperbole about this 2026 Boise State team felt premature and too whimsical in nature for my liking.

You hear the ra-ra speeches in fall camp about how this team is “built different” and that there’s something “special” about this year’s roster.

I didn’t believe it.

The idea of a Boise State team returning to a quality and confidence only seen in some of its best teams during the Chris Petersen era felt ludicrous.

But in front of the line to prove me wrong was Maddux Madsen.

He rarely put the ball into dangerous situations.

For the most part, when the drive started well, he was able to keep the gears of the offense churning towards the redzone.

The opening drive of the game encapsulated the Maddux Madsen of old.

A pass deflects off a defensive lineman and falls into the waiting arms of No. 4 to scramble for a seven-yard gain.

But after that circus act, Boise State’s offense methodically worked its way down the field thanks to some timely throws by the senior.

His scrambling ability, while not that of a Taylen Green, was used wisely and efficiently to convert short-yardage situations.

If not for a coaching snafu at the end of the first half, it was likely that he would have led the Broncos into halftime with a 17-7 lead against the No. 2 team in the nation on its own turf.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning gave a rousing and fiery halftime speech before the Ducks returned to the field for the second half. They went on to score ten straight points to take the lead for the first time at Autzen Stadium in 2026 with 5:36 remaining in the third quarter.

It felt like the breaking point of Boise State’s upset bid.

The big bad brute finally got his way, pinning the scrappy underdog into a corner.

Not in the eyes of this Bronco team.

Not in the eyes of Maddux Madsen.

They started a response drive with a two-play sequence to reach Oregon territory, ignited by a 22-yard connection between Madsen and freshman Rasean Jones.

The bus stalled out inside the 10-yard line, calling for a monumental decision from Spencer Danielson on 4th-and-3 down seven.

To kick, or not to kick?

No one would have blamed him for taking the points and keeping the Broncos within striking distance as the 4th quarter drew closer.

Instead, he threw caution into the wind and trusted his senior quarterback to make a play.

Madsen surveyed the field and, as if in slow motion, dropped a picturesque dime to tight end Matt Wagner between two Oregon defenders in the endzone.

The effort on both the throw and catch showed more moxie than Boise State has had in the last decade.

Here’s the broadcast replay…

After that act of resolve and toughness, whether Boise State won this game or not was a moot point.

The clutch gene that has, at times, disappeared from the program, found its way back into the spotlight on the biggest of stages.

In the fourth quarter, Oregon’s talent and depth pushed them ahead, evidenced by a Dakorien Moore 62-yard touchdown reception that took little time off the clock.

The Broncos did have a shot at the end of the game with less than 2:30 left to mount a final trip to the endzone, but it wasn’t meant to be as a one-handed catch by Rasean Jones for 18 yards was the only positive yardage gained.

A rather flat ending to an otherwise spectacular affair between two historic programs.

Boise State has had success scripting drives to open both halves with Madsen under center, but the offense usually found a way to stumble and lose its rhythm.

Not this time.

Player improvisation and timely plays kept this game as close it was.

It gave the Broncos a legitimate chance to knock off the No. 2 team in the country.

The best part for those affiliated with the blue and orange?

Oregon will be its most difficult opponent this season until a potential College Football Playoff berth.

If Madsen and company can pass the eye test against a Big Ten favorite and national title contender, what is stopping them from running through the rest of its non-conference schedule and Pac-12 play?

Consistency?

Injuries?

Youth?

All are valid rationales, but if Boise State is truly “different” this year, then they will show it against Memphis this Saturday at Albertsons Stadium on the USA Network.

The spread is currently -8.5 towards the Broncos.

A “different” type of squad covers that spread – no excuses.

This is a step-up-to-the-plate moment for the football program to recapture the throne as the Group of Six standard for 2026 and beyond.

Memphis will be good this year and has a decent shot of winning the American.

Head coach Charles Huff has acknowledged that if the Tigers don’t play to the best of their ability, they will flat out lose on The Blue.

What Boise State put on film last Saturday should have teams shaking in their boots.

Recent teams have suffered from sub-par tackling, lack of explosiveness on the outside, and yes – inconsistent play at quarterback.

Yet, they have won three-straight conference championships.

Starting with Madsen, a week-in-and-week-out caliber of play similar to that in Eugene will result in an 11-1 regular season, Pac-12 title, and CFP appearance.

The missing pieces that made previous iterations of the Broncos more than imperfect have been substantially improved upon.

Facing Memphis, Boise State’s offensive line will come toe-to-toe with a Power Four-level defensive front that displays a similar physicality and engine to that of Oregon.

It isn’t a guarantee that the rushing tandem of Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines will set off fireworks, paving the way for No. 4 to lead the charge once again and this time, finish the job in front of a sold-out crowd.

The narrative transformed as each minute passed in Autzen Stadium.

The college football world took notice.

CBS had record viewership, averaging nearly five million viewers and peaking at nearly eight million.

The Broncos nearly jumped into the AP Top 25 after losing.

The aura of Boise State football is reaching levels only met during its heyday.

Make it pay off.

Cash the check.

Take no prisoners.

Protect The Blue.

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