BOISE, Idaho (Interstat) — Maddux Madsen passed for two touchdowns and ran for another, and the Boise State Broncos erupted for 21 fourth-quarter points to pull away from the New Mexico Lobos for a 41-25 victory on Saturday night at Albertsons Stadium.

The Broncos, who improved to 3-2, broke open a tight game by scoring three touchdowns in the final quarter, turning a 20-17 lead into a comfortable 16-point margin of victory. The Lobos also moved to 3-2 on the season.

Boise State’s offense was methodical and balanced, amassing 226 yards through the air and 203 on the ground. Madsen, a quarterback from American Fork, Utah, was efficient, completing 21 of 31 passes for 226 yards. His favorite target was Ben Ford, a local product from Eagle, Idaho, who caught six passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns.

The Broncos’ ground game was led by Dylan Riley, who rushed for 101 yards on 18 carries. Sire Gaines added 65 yards and two touchdowns on 20 attempts, including a 4-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter that extended Boise State’s lead.

New Mexico kept the game close for three quarters, largely on the strength of a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Damon Bankston to open the second half and a stubborn defensive effort. Bankston finished with 118 return yards in addition to his touchdown.

The Lobos used two quarterbacks, with starter Jack Layne completing 7 of 17 passes for 115 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. James Laubstein relieved him late and led a scoring drive, finishing 8 of 11 for 67 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 13 yards.

The game began with Boise State establishing early control. After a Jayden Virgin-Morgan sack forced a fumble from Layne that the Broncos recovered on the New Mexico 18, the Boise State offense stalled and settled for a 24-yard Colton Boomer field goal.

The Broncos then engineered a 13-play, 74-yard drive that consumed most of the remaining time in the first quarter, capped by a 2-yard touchdown run from Gaines to take a 10-0 lead.

New Mexico answered immediately to start the second quarter as Bankston fielded the kickoff and raced 100 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 10-7.

The Lobos then took their first and only lead of the game on their next possession. A 24-yard completion from Layne to tight end Dorian Thomas set up a 1-yard touchdown pass from Layne to Thomas, putting New Mexico ahead 14-10.

Boise State responded with a 14-play, 62-yard drive just before halftime, culminating in a 6-yard touchdown pass from Madsen to Ford, sending the Broncos into the break with a 17-14 advantage.

The third quarter was a defensive struggle, with the only scoring coming from field goals. Boomer connected from 50 yards for Boise State, and Luke Drzewiecki answered with a 29-yarder for New Mexico, making the score 20-17 heading into the final period.

The Broncos seized control in the fourth quarter. Gaines powered in from 4 yards out to complete a long drive and extend the lead to 27-17.

A trick play then broke the game open. Facing fourth down, punter Oscar Doyle, from Brisbane, Queensland, took the snap and threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Troy Grizzle, pushing the Boise State lead to 34-17.

On New Mexico’s ensuing possession, Layne was intercepted by Ty Benefield, setting up the Broncos in Lobos territory. Madsen needed just one play to find Ford for a 25-yard scoring strike, making it 41-17.

New Mexico added a late touchdown on a 4-yard pass from Laubstein to Keagan Johnson and a two-point conversion to provide the final margin.

Defensively, linebacker Jaxton Eck was a standout for New Mexico, recording a game-high 18 tackles. For Boise State, Virgin-Morgan had six tackles, a sack and four quarterback hurries, while the secondary came up with two critical interceptions.

Both teams continue conference play next Saturday, with Boise State hosting UNLV and New Mexico returning home to face Nevada.