Nov. 17, 2012

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By Craig Buchanan
Athletic Media Relations

BOISE, Idaho - The Colorado State Rams (3-8, 2-5 MW) lost to the 22nd-ranked Boise State Broncos (9-2, 6-1 MW), 42-14 on Saturday afternoon.

Senior running back D.J. Harper scored an 80-yard touchdown run on the first offensive play from Boise State. With the early 7-0 lead, the Broncos never looked back.

After forcing another quick punt from the Rams, Boise State moved the ball 54 yards in just seven plays to extend their lead to 14-0. Harper again ran it in, this time from two yards out.

Harper finished the game with 111 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior quarterback M.J. McPeek started for Colorado State, but with the Rams struggling in the first half and down 35-0 at the break, redshirt-freshman Conner Smith replaced McPeek at quarterback in the second half.

The Broncos started the second half much like they did the first half, scoring early. Taking the opening drive 75 yards in just 3:41, Boise State extended its lead to 42-0 with a 1-yard touchdown run from Grant Hedrick.

After forcing a couple of punts from Boise State, Colorado State's offense began to find its rhythm late in the third quarter. The Rams went 80 yards in just three plays on a touchdown drive that was capped off by a 72-yard touchdown run up the right side from junior running back Chris Nwoke.The touchdown run was the longest of Nwoke's career, and was the eighth-longest scoring run in school history.

Nwoke finished the game with a season-high 119 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries, while freshman running back Donnell Alexander chipped in with 59 yards on the ground.

The Rams would score once more with just over four minutes left in the game. Facing a 4th-and-13, Smith found senior wide receiver Marquise Law in the corner of the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown. The 30-yard reception was the longest of Law's career.

Max Morgan led Colorado State's defense with 12 tackles, tying his career high, while Jordan Gragert and Shaq Bell each recovered a fumble. Bell was second on the team with nine tackles.