BOISE, Idaho (AP) Maddux Madsen threw for one touchdown and ran for another; Dylan Riley ran for 206 yards, and Boise State Broncos dominated the second half to defeat Memphis Tigers 38-20 on Saturday in a crucial early-season Group of Six showdown.

The teams combined for 696 yards in the first half, and Memphis (2-1) took a 20-17 lead as Philippe Laforge kicked a 36-yard field goal as time expired.

Defense took over for Boise State (1-1), limiting the Tigers to 163 yards while Madsen engineered two long scoring drives and Cam Bates returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown.

Sire Gaines ended a 10-play, 77-yard drive with an 11-yard run. After the special teams back-breaker, Madsen's 1-yard sneak capped a 10-play, 98-yard drive.

Boise State ended up with 578 yards, 357 on the ground, as Gaines added 93 yards. Madsen was 17 of 28 for 221 yards.

Marcus Stokes went 17-of-25 passing for 384 yards for Memphis. Hunter Tipton hauled in nine balls for 229 yards. The Tigers finished with 519 yards. Tipton had an 87-yard touchdown reception, and J aylin Carter had an 80-yard touchdown run in the first half.

But Boise State, down 17-3, responded with drives of 75 and 90 yards. Akeem Wright had a 37-yard TD reception and Rasean Jones had an 18-yard TD run on a reverse.

Both teams are considered contenders for the Group of Six berth in the FBS playoffs.

Memphis: Host UT-Martin on Sept. 29.

Boise State: Home against FCS South Dakota next Saturday.

---

Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here. Visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here.

Copyright 2026 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.