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Zabransky leads Boise State to rout of Nevada

Boise State wide receiver Drisan James, left, makes a diving catch despite the efforts of Nevada cornerback Kevin Stanley. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
Boise State wide receiver Drisan James, left, makes a diving catch despite the efforts of Nevada cornerback Kevin Stanley. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

RENO, Nev. — Boise State coach Dan Hawkins figures his 10th-ranked and undefeated Broncos have done everything they can to make a case for a spot in the Bowl Championship Series.

“Unfortunately, there is a lot of politics. I’m not a great politician, but our play speaks for itself,” Hawkins said after his team beat Nevada 58-21 Saturday night for their 22nd straight victory.

Jared Zabransky passed for 244 yards and three touchdowns for Boise State (11-0, 8-0 in the Western Athletic Conference), which has won 35 of its last 36 games.

The Broncos have a chance to play in the BCS if California loses Dec. 4 to Southern Mississippi but otherwise are headed to the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31 to face No. 7 Louisville in Memphis, Tenn.

“We’ve always wanted to play the best team we can and play in the best bowl we can. We’ll see how things shake out,” Hawkins said.

“We controlled the things we can control. There are not a lot of undefeated teams still out there,” he said.

Safety Cam Hall returned one interception 52 yards for a touchdown and another 64 yards to set up a late score for Boise State, which claimed its third consecutive WAC title with its record 26th straight league win, dating to 2001.

“That is huge because you know everyone’s bringing their ‘A’ game when they play Boise State,” Hawkins said.

Jeff Rowe passed for 245 yards and a touchdown for Nevada (5-7, 3-5), which suffered its first loss at home this year and hasn’t had a winning season since 1998.

T.J. Acree caught six passes for 105 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown. Zabransky completed 17 of 25 passes. Jon Hellmandollar scored on runs of 5 and 4 yards and Lee Marks rushed for 93 yards on 15 carries for the Broncos, whose winning streak is the best in Division I-A.

“That is one fine football time,” Nevada Coach Chris Ault said. “They are certainly deserving of all the accolades. Any time you go undefeated, this is a very special team.”

Ault was most impressed with the Broncos’ run defense, which held Nevada to 70 yards rushing.

“In my opinion, that is where their strength is,” he said.

Broncos backup quarterback Legedu Naanee took the snap on a fake punt at midfield and ran 34 yards to set up Zabransky’s 15-yard TD pass to Jason Murray 33 seconds before the half for a 28-7 halftime lead.

Boise State fans made up more than half of the crowd of 10,151 at Mackay Stadium, where snowplows were still on the field an hour before the game clearing nearly a foot of snow that temporarily closed the Reno-Tahoe airport.