BOXSCORE
Despite a solid first half, in which No. 8 Boise State only led the Bulldogs 13-10, the Broncos exploded in the second half for a 61-10 victory, wrapping up a perfect 12-0 season.
The Broncos (12-0) trailed for only the third time all season early and were up just 13-10 after halftime before Jeremy Avery ran for a 43-yard touchdown three minutes into the third quarter. Then came three more touchdowns in a 3 1/2-minute span to clinch Boise State's third undefeated regular season in four years.
Tom Brandstater was 23-for-36 with 212 yards passing for Fresno State (7-5), which was outscored 61-3 after taking the lead on Damion Owens' 68-yard interception return. The Bulldogs cemented their ninth bowl berth in 10 years last week by beating San Jose State.
Avery sprinted up the middle, splitting defenders at the 25, to finally put Boise State back comfortably ahead at 20-10 three minutes into the third quarter.
Then Wilson took a long punt at his own 10, immediately sidestepped Fresno State's Desia Dunn and took off.
It was Wilson's third punt return for a score this month, and the fourth-longest in Boise State history.
After Ellis Powers intercepted a tipped pass from Brandstater deep in Bulldogs territory, freshman Kellen Moore threw for another touchdown. His 16-yard pass to Tommy Gallarda made it 41-10.
Ian Johnson ended the third quarter by running 69 yards - pulling Owens 18 the final yards - to the 4. He scored on a 4-yard touchdown run on the first play of the final quarter and then on a 1-yard run midway through the fourth.
Bush Hamden started at quarterback for Boise State instead of Moore, who entered 13th in the nation in passing, because coach Chris Petersen wanted to give the senior the start. Hamden's first pass was thrown way behind Jeremy Childs and intercepted by Owens. The cornerback easily ran 68 yards the other way for a touchdown 3 1/2 minutes into the game.
As the record crowd of 32,412 sat stunned, the jubilant Bulldogs defense formed a dog pile in the end zone after the score that put Boise State behind for only the third time all season.
The remainder of the first half was a trade of field goals that left the Broncos up 13-10, the closest any team had been to them at the break since Hawaii trailed 10-7 here on Oct. 17.
The Bulldogs finished the regular season with a 7-5 record, that included wins over BCS schools Rutgers and UCLA. The Dogs dropped another, 13-10, to then No. 10-ranked Wisconsin.