In a disappointing turn of events, the Boise State football team finds itself fighting to keep their hopes alive for a bowl game appearance, as they suffered a 37-30 defeat at the hands of Fresno State on Saturday night. With a record of 4-5 and only three games left in the season, the Broncos face an uphill battle to qualify for a bowl game.

Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen expressed his disappointment, acknowledging the team's tough situation. The Broncos, who had been recognized earlier in the day on ESPN's College Gameday for their remarkable streak of 25 consecutive winning seasons, now find themselves in uncharted territory.

To secure a winning record this season, Boise State must either win all three of their remaining regular season games or win two regular season games and then the bowl game. However, achieving either outcome is far from guaranteed at this point.

The loss to Fresno State also shattered any lingering hopes the Broncos had of winning the Mountain West conference title. While mathematically they still have a chance, it is now unlikely for Boise State to secure a spot in the title game.

Linebacker Andrew Simpson emphasized that the team is better than their record indicates and that their current performance is not the standard for Boise State. Acknowledging the challenges they face, Simpson stressed the need to do better and move forward.

The defeat against Fresno State exposed several areas of weakness for the Broncos. Both quarterbacks, Madsen and Taylen Green, threw interceptions in the first half, and the defense struggled to tackle and get off the field on third down. However, the costliest blunder came from the special teams unit, allowing Fresno State to return a kickoff for a touchdown on the final play of the first half. This turned the momentum in favor of Fresno State, as it gave them a 20-10 lead at halftime.

Boise State head coach Andy Avalos expressed his sympathy for the players, emphasizing their determination and fight until the end. Kicker Jonah Dalmas provided a glimmer of positivity by setting a new Boise State record for career made field goals with 69.

The quarterback situation was a major talking point yet again, as Madsen played more snaps than Green for the fourth consecutive game. Avalos praised Madsen's performance and efficiency, hinting that he may have overtaken Green as the starter moving forward. However, Avalos left the door open for evaluation and emphasized the importance of making decisions that give the team the best chance to win each week.

Avalos took responsibility for the game-changing kick return touchdown, stating that the kick shouldn't have been as deep as it was. He acknowledged the need for better decision-making in such situations to prevent momentum from swinging against his team.

Defensively, the Broncos struggled, allowing 441 yards and an 8-of-15 conversion rate on third downs. Inconsistencies in tackling, a lack of pressure on the opposing quarterback, and giving up explosive passing plays returned as troublesome issues.

With a road record of 1-4, Boise State faces one final away game against Utah State on November 18th. They will then host New Mexico next Saturday in their quest for a bowl game. The regular season will conclude with a home game against Air Force on Black Friday.

The Broncos find themselves in a rare situation, where the motivation to win the Mountain West title has faded, and their focus is now on finishing the season strong. Coach Avalos maintains a "1-0 next week" mentality as the team fights to keep their bowl game dreams alive.