Max Cutforth Throws 3 Touchdowns to Lead Boise State to 46-45 Victory

Boise State quarterback Max Cutforth threw three touchdown passes in the final seven minutes to lead the No. 20 Broncos to a 46-45 victory over Texas State on Saturday night. The win came after Boise State blew a 25-point lead at halftime and starter Maddux Madsen left the game with an injury.

The Broncos (7-1, 4-0 Pac-12) entered the second half trailing, allowing Texas State to score the first 36 points of that half. The Bobcats (4-4, 2-2) built a 39-28 lead with 8:58 remaining in the third quarter after Jayden Bradley returned a Madsen interception for a touchdown. Boise State coach Spencer Danielson called that third quarter one of the worst quarters of football he has ever been part of.

Madsen threw for 236 yards and a touchdown before leaving in the fourth quarter after taking a hard shot near his left knee. He watched the rest of the game from the sideline on crutches. Danielson said Madsen's status was unknown as training staff evaluated him.

Cutforth, who had stepped in for Madsen after a season-ending injury last season, entered the game with 131 passing yards and 8-of-13 efficiency. He noted that his experience as a backup last year helped him prepare for this moment. This year, he was more ready to take over the offense.

The momentum shifted when Mana Tuioti intercepted a pass on a trick play and returned it to the Bobcats 11. With the score 39-34, Tuioti's pick-six flipped the lead. The game saw three lead changes in the final five minutes. Cutforth found Akeem Wright for an 18-yard touchdown with 2:40 left to put Boise State ahead for good.

Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns. The Bobcats had not beaten a ranked team in 13 attempts since moving to the FBS in 2012. Both teams play on Saturday, with Texas State at Oregon State and Boise State at Colorado State.