Game Day Guide: Boise State battles rival Fresno State for Milk Can
Boise State looks to retain the Milk Can and avenge its loss in last year's Mountain West title game Saturday night. Here's everything Bronco Nation needs to know.
(AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
The stage is set for a massive Mountain West showdown Saturday night between two of the conference's top teams as Boise State visits Fresno State in a battle for the Milk Can at Valley Children's Stadium.
Boise State has held onto the rivalry trophy since 2018 and won 11 of the 13 meetings since the Milk Can made its debut in 2006. However, the trophy does not change hands based on matchups in the conference championship game, where the Bulldogs beat the Broncos both in 2018 and 2022.
"It's everything you want it to be. You sign to Boise State, you want to play in those big-time environments. This one is for real, for real," offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan said.
Hot on the heels of their most-complete performance of the season, the Broncos look to turn the corner at the right time and notch a winning record for the first time this fall. A win against the Bulldogs would also keep Boise State in the conversation for the championship game and move it one victory away from bowl eligibility.
As Bronco Nation is well aware, facing Fresno State is never an easy task, and Saturday's matchup is no different. The Bulldogs average 297 passing yards per game, which ranks 14th among FBS teams and third in the Mountain West.
Third-year sophomore quarterback and UCF transfer Mikey Keene has completed more than 68% of his 273 attempts, with nearly 2,000 yards and 19 touchdowns to just six interceptions. The Bulldogs also sit at No. 25 nationally in red zone offense efficiency.
Boise State has been tasked with slowing down a handful of high-powered offenses this year, and it's been a bit of a challenge to say the least. However, the Broncos put together a dominant effort last week against Wyoming, giving up just 112 yards of total offense.
Prior to facing the Cowboys, Boise State sat at 113th in total defense, allowing 428.3 yards per outing. It moved all the way up to No. 82 this week, with its average dropping below 390 yards allowed each week.
The turnaround has been led by rising standouts such as Andrew Simpson, Ahmed Hassanein, Jayden Virgin and Ty Benefield, a true freshman who grabbed his first interception last week. Hassanein leads the team with six sacks, and Simpson has totaled 16 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception in the past three weeks alone.
While an impressive offense is nothing new in Fresno, like the days of Jake Haener, the Bulldogs are also playing well on defense in 2023. Fresno State's unit is up there with the best in the Mountain West, ranking second in scoring defense, second in total defense, third in rushing and and fourth in passing.
Not only is Boise State facing a team with talent on both sides of the ball, it also enters a tough stadium that will be fired up for a late-night showdown. Saturday's battle for the Milk Can is set for 8 p.m. MT on CBS Sports Network.
"It's a hostile environment. When you walk from the locker room down to the field, those fans are gonna make you feel like you don't belong there, and you wouldn't have it any other way," Boise State defensive coordinator Spencer Danielson said. "That's college football at its finest and that's the way it should be when you're going to an opponent's house. We know that's what it's gonna be and we're excited for the challenge."
Senior linebacker Levelle Bailey and fifth-year defensive back Dean Clark each have 50 total tackles this fall, and the defense as a whole has grabbed 12 interceptions, while generating 19 sacks and 46 tackles-for-loss.
Fresno State opened the season with a 39-35 road victory against Purdue before beating Eastern Washington 34-31, followed by a 29-0 shutout win over Arizona State out of the Pac-12. The Bulldogs are riding back-to-back wins over conference foes Utah State and UNLV, but their lone loss came against Wyoming (24-19) a squad the Broncos just dominated.
The 7-1 squad will be the latest to tangle with Boise State's two-quarterback system featuring starter Taylen Green and redshirt freshman Maddux Madsen. Earlier this week, Hamdan said Madsen only takes about 25% of the reps in practice, but applauded the backups ability to come in and execute through the air.
The Broncos' playcaller said, "we go into the games saying, 'yeah, it could go either way.'" It has become more clear Boise State favors Madsen in basically all passing situations, although Green showcased his arm on a 49-yard touchdown to Eric McAlister to start the game against the Cowboys last week.
"We're certainly competing every day at practice," Hamdan said. "You look at the things (Green) can do, we want to settle him in and get him playing as confident as he can be."
Green hasn't had a ton of opportunities to throw the ball lately, only attempting six passes on The Blue last Saturday. Last year's Mountain West Freshman of the Year continues to showcase his playmaking ability, running for 32 yards and a touchdown on four carries against Wyoming.
Madsen on Monday earned Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors for the second time this fall after going 12-of-15 with 147 passing yards and a touchdown in the contest with the Cowboys. As Bronco Nation continues to weigh in on the quarterback situation, a system that has both struggled (Colorado State loss) and shined (San Jose State win), the stats are notable:
With sophomore running back Ashton Jeanty having to leave the game last week, Boise State head coach Andy Avalos said George Holani got more work than anticipated in his first game back since the season opener at Washington. Holani ran the rock 20 times for 75 yards, averaging 3.8 yards per carry.
Avalos in his post-game press conference said the Broncos "don't believe it's anything that's going to keep (Jeanty) out too long," but his status is not known for Saturday's contest in California. In last year's regular season win over the Bulldogs, Holani ran for 157 yards and snagged a five-yard touchdown. In the 2021 matchup, he totaled 186 yards.
KTVB's Jay Tust and Brady Frederick will be live on the sidelines of Valley Children's Stadium during the second Bronco Roundup Game Day Show on Saturday at 7 p.m. MT with last-second injury updates and an exclusive look at Boise State players on the field ahead of kickoff.
Scroll down or use the tabs across the top of this story for more information on Saturday's matchup, how to watch and listen to the game, predictions, series history, a stats comparison, players to watch, a breakdown of KTVB's coverage and more.
Game Information Broncos vs. Bulldogs
Boise State (4-4, 3-1 MW) vs. Fresno State (7-1, 3-1 MW)
- Saturday, Nov. 4
- Valley Children's Stadium - Fresno, Calif.
- Capacity: 40,727
- Kickoff: 8 p.m. MT
- Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Weather: High of 77, low of 55 degrees, mostly cloudy
Ways to Watch TV, Radio, Streaming
ON TV
Boise State's battle with the Bulldogs Saturday night will be televised on CBS Sports Network, available on the following TV channels:
- Cox: Channel 234
- DirecTV: Channel 221
- Dish Network: Channel 158
- Sparklight: Channel 139 / 1139 (HD)
The broadcast crew headed to Fresno for CBS Sports Network is Jordan Kent on play-by-play, with Donte Whitner serving as an analyst and Brandon Baylor reporting from the sidelines of Valley Children's Stadium.
ON THE RADIO
Fans can listen to the contest through the Bronco Radio Network, with Bob Behler calling play-by-play for Boise State alongside former offensive lineman Pete Cavender. Click here to stream the Bronco Radio Network online. Saturday's call can also be heard on SiriusXM Channel 382.
Radio affiliates by location:
- Boise: KBOI 670 AM / 93.1 FM
- Idaho Falls: KSPZ 980 AM / 98.7 FM
- McCall: KDZY 98.3 FM
- Pocatello: KSPZ 94.5 FM
- Salmon: KSRA 960 AM
- St. Maries: KOFE 1240 AM
- Twin Falls: KSNQ 98.3 FM
- Baker City: KBKR 1490 AM
- La Grande: KLBM 1450 AM
STREAMING
Streaming for Saturday's Mountain West rivalry is available through a majority of popular platforms, including Paramount+, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV and more. Live streaming is also available on CBSSports.com and the free CBS Sports mobile app for subscribers of participating cable and satellite television providers (including Dish Network and DirecTV).
For more information on ways to watch CBS Sports Network outside of standard TV channels, click here and visit the website's 'watch' dropdown.
KTVB in Fresno Bronco Coverage Plan
BRONCO ROUNDUP GAME DAY
Get ready for Boise State football with the official TV station for Bronco Nation both Saturday morning and Saturday night ahead of kickoff! The Bronco Roundup Game Day Show featuring KTVB's Jay Tust and Brady Frederick gives fans an up-close look at players warming up, provides an in-depth preview, hits on matchup storylines, features interviews with leaders of Boise State Athletics and more.
The first exclusive pre-game show airs Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. MT on KTVB Channel 7, KTVB.COM, KTVB+ on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV, and the KTVB mobile app. The second Bronco Roundup Game Day Show runs from 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. MT on KTVB.COM, KTVB's YouTube channel, KTVB+ and the KTVB mobile app.
Tust and Frederick will be live in Fresno Saturday, and on the sideline inside Valley Children's Stadium for the online show at 7 p.m. MT. Tune in for last-second injury updates and depth chart notes, see Boise State take the field, and take in the sights and sounds from the Golden State.
POST-GAME COVERAGE
KTVB will live stream Boise State's post-game press conference on KTVB.COM, the KTVB YouTube channel, KTVB+ and the KTVB mobile app immediately following the game. Fans will hear from head coach Andy Avalos and select Bronco players in California.
Post-game interviews will also be posted online shortly after the press conference ends, so Bronco Nation can watch whenever and wherever they want. Stay tuned to KTVB.COM Saturday night and early Sunday morning for a game recap, extended highlights, a photo gallery and comments from the Broncos-Bulldogs bout.
Odds and Predictions Split Decision
ESPN's Matchup Predictor, created with ESPN Analytics, gives Fresno State a 58.8% chance of beating Boise State on Saturday at home. Caesars Sportsbook has the Bulldogs as three-point favorites, with an over/under of 54.5 as of Wednesday afternoon.
Nearly every major sportsbook agrees with the point spread, with odds ranging from -108 to -115 if betting on the Broncos to lose by less than three, or win. FanDuel is giving Boise State +3.5 at -105, according to VegasInsider, while also having the lowest over/under with Caesars at 54.5. BetRivers and Unibet have the highest total at 55.5.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, roughly 90% of betters are taking the Broncos +3, while 71% have picked the Boise State moneyline (+136) as of Wednesday afternoon. DraftKings has the blue and orange at 4-4 this fall against the spread, while the Bulldogs are 6-2.
The Broncos are just 1-3 away from Albertsons Stadium in 2023, with losses to Washington, Memphis and Colorado State. Fresno State is undefeated on its home turf, taking down Eastern Washington, Kent State, Nevada and UNLV so far.
History Broncos-Bulldogs Series
Boise State boasts a 17-8 all-time record against Fresno State, dating back to 1977. The Broncos are 6-5 in games played in Fresno, 11-3 when facing the Bulldogs in the City of Trees, and 12-2 in meetings in Mountain West play.
As previously mentioned, Boise State has held onto the Milk Can since 2018 and won 11 of the 13 meetings since the rivalry trophy made its debut in 2006. However, the can does not change hands based on matchups in the Mountain West Championship Game, where the Bulldogs beat the Broncos both in 2018 and 2022.
In last October's regular season meeting at Albertsons Stadium, Boise State rolled to its second-straight win after multiple changes on the heels of a loss to UTEP. The Broncos dominated the Bulldogs 40-20, rushing for 316 yards as a team while allowing just 233 yards on defense.
The 20-point win saw Holani run for 157 yards, Jeanty run for 109 yards and two scores, and Green throw for two scores with one interception. Boise State limited quarterback Logan Fife to 134 passing yards and forced two interceptions.
In the conference championship game on Dec. 3, 2022, the storyline flipped with the return of Haener and Fresno State's impressive performance on defense.
The Bulldogs celebrated the 28-16 title win on The Blue after Green threw two interceptions after multiple weeks as one of the most explosive players in the region. Fresno State limited Boise State to 146 total rushing yards, while possessing the ball for more than 33 minutes.
Boise State's all-time record against Fresno State:
- Dec. 3, 2022: L - 28-16 (Boise)
- Oct. 8, 2022: W - 40-20 (Boise)
- Nov. 6, 2021: W - 40-14 (Fresno)
- Dec. 1, 2018: L - 19-16 (OT) (Boise)
- Nov. 9, 2018: W - 24-17 (Boise)
- Dec. 2, 2017: W - 17-14 (Boise)
- Nov. 25, 2017: L - 28-17 (Fresno)
- Dec. 6, 2014: W - 28-14 (Boise)
- Oct. 17, 2014: W - 37-27 (Boise)
- Sept. 20, 2013: L - 41-40 (Fresno)
- Oct. 13, 2012: W - 20-10 (Boise)
- Oct. 7, 2011: W - 57-7 (Fresno)
- Nov. 19, 2010: W - 51-0 (Boise)
- Sept. 18, 2009: W - 51-34 (Fresno)
- Nov. 28, 2008: W - 61-10 (Boise)
- Oct. 26, 2007: W - 34-21 (Fresno)
- Nov. 1, 2006: W - 45-21 (Boise)
- Nov. 10, 2005: L - 27-7 (Fresno)
- Oct. 23, 2004: W - 33-16 (Boise)
- Nov. 21, 2003: W - 31-17 (Fresno)
- Oct. 18, 2002: W - 67-21 (Boise)
- Oct. 19, 2001: W - 35-30 (Fresno)
- Nov. 2, 1996: L - 41-7 (Fresno)
- Sept. 17, 1977: L - 42-7 (Fresno)
Team Stats FBS Ranks
Team: Stat Per Game | FBS Rank:
TOTAL OFFENSE
- Boise State: 427.6 YPG | No. 42
- Fresno State: 402.8 YPG | No. 58
SCORING OFFENSE
- Fresno State: 33.6 PPG | No. 29
- Boise State: 30.0 PPG | No. 55
RUSHING OFFENSE
- Boise State: 195.4 YPG | No. 20
- Fresno State: 105.8 YPG | No. 114
PASSING OFFENSE
- Fresno State: 297.0 YPG | No. 14
- Boise State: 232.2 YPG | No. 61
RED ZONE OFFENSE %
- Fresno State: .909 | No. 25
- Boise State: .867 | No. 53
TOTAL DEFENSE
- Fresno State: 341.4 YPG | No. 41
- Boise State: 388.8 YPG | No. 82
SCORING DEFENSE
- Fresno State: 20.62 PPG | No. 33
- Boise State: 27.12 PPG | No. 78
RUSHING DEFENSE
- Boise State: 111.9 YPG | No. 25
- Fresno State: 119.6 YPG | No. 33
PASSING YARDS ALLOWED
- Fresno State: 221.8 YPG | No. 60
- Boise State: 276.9 YPG | No. 123
RED ZONE DEFENSE %
- Fresno State: .818 | No. 60
- Boise State: .867 | No. 86
Individual Stats Top Players
PASSING
- Taylen Green: 82-of-155 (52.90%), 1,110 yards, 6 TDs, 5 INTs
- Mikey Keene: 186-of-273 (68.13%), 1,948 yards, 19 TDs, 6 INTs
RUSHING
- Ashton Jeanty: 157 carries, 921 yards (5.9 YPC), 11 TDs
- Malik Sherrod: 88 carries, 488 yards (5.5 YPC), 5 TDs
RECEIVING
- Eric McAlister: 39 receptions, 788 yards (20.21 YPC), 5 TDs
- Erik Brooks: 41 receptions, 565 yards (13.78 YPC), 5 TDs
TACKLES
- Marco Notarainni: 53 total tackles (29 solo, 24 assisted)
- Clark Dean and Levelle Bailey: 50 total tackles each
TACKLES-FOR-LOSS
- Ahmed Hassanein: 9 TFLs (44 yards)
- Devo Bridges, Jacob Holmes, Morice Norris Jr.: 5.5 TFLs
SACKS
- Ahmed Hassanein: 6 sacks (40 yards)
- Jacob Holmes: 4 sacks (19 yards)
INTERCEPTIONS
- Benefield, Clark, McCoy, Simpson, Teubner: 1 INT each
- Carlton Johnson: 4 INTs
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