McNichols Scores 3 Times In Boise's 55-7 Rout Of Northern Illinois
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jeremy McNichols scored three touchdowns, the first one just 58 seconds into the game, and finished with 189 total yards as Boise State embarrassed Northern Illinois, 55-7, in the Poinsettia Bowl on Wednesday.
This one was essentially over when Northern Illinois won the coin toss and deferred, allowing Boise State to get the ball first and unleash its talented offense.
The Broncos (9-4) needed just three plays to score the first TD, the fastest in school bowl history. After completions of 7 and 39 yards by Brett Rypien, McNichols scampered in from 29 yards.
McNichols and the Broncos kept piling on as the back from Long Beach scored on each of the next two possessions, on a 4-yard pass from Rypien and on a 1-yard run.
McNichols ran 19 times for 93 yards and caught five passes for 96 yards. He came in tied with Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry of Alabama for the national lead with 23 TDs.
Rypien was 29 of 40 for 377 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception.
The Broncos outgained the Huskies (8-6) 654 yards to 33.
The Huskies added to their misery by losing three fumbles in the first half. Tyler Gray recovered two of them.
The Huskies avoided a shutout when Aregeros Turner returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown to make it 24-7 midway through the second quarter.
The announced crowd of 21,501 was swallowed up by 70,000-seat Qualcomm Stadium.
The Broncos led 31-7 at halftime after Tyler Rausa's 20-yard field goal and Rypien's 16-yard touchdown pass to Chaz Anderson.
Rypien added an 18-yard scoring pass to Alec Dhaenens in the third quarter.
The reserves took over in the fourth quarter. Backup running back Kelsey Young scored on a 24-yard run and backup quarterback Thomas Stuart scored on a 1-yard keeper.
Boise State improved to 1-1 in the Poinsettia Bowl, while Northern Illinois dropped to 0-3.
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