Boise State football made national headlines this past weekend, clinching the Mountain West Championship in front of an electrified record crowd at Albertsons Stadium on Friday, Dec. 6. Among the celebrants were two football stars from Murrieta, who have now carved their names into Boise State history. Jake and Jason Steele, brothers on the Broncos’ offensive line, played pivotal roles during a stellar season that culminated in Boise State’s hard-fought 21-7 win over UNLV in the Mountain West Championship at Albertsons Stadium this past Saturday, Dec. 7.
The Steele brothers, former standouts at Murrieta Valley High School, shared the field for the first time in years this season. Jake, a redshirt sophomore, transferred to Boise State after two seasons at San Jose State, while Jason, a redshirt freshman, joined the program directly from high school. The duo’s bond—built through years of backyard competitions and shared passions—was evident in their teamwork throughout the season.
The Mountain West title game against UNLV was a spectacle. A roaring crowd of over 36,000 watched Boise State dominate in a 21-7 victory, a game highlighted by Heisman candidate Ashton Jeanty’s stellar performance. Fans stormed the field in celebration, even dismantling the north-end goalpost, which was ceremoniously carried to the Boise River. For the Steele brothers, the game marked the culmination of years of dedication and teamwork, a reward earned through countless hours of commitment.
With this win, Jake and Jason join Boise State in heading to the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl as the No. 3 seed, where they’ll face either SMU or Penn State on December 31. The Broncos have a storied history in the Fiesta Bowl, boasting an undefeated record in one of college football’s most prestigious postseason events. With a 3-0 all-time Fiesta Bowl record, Boise State is one of three schools, along with Penn State (7-0) and Oklahoma State (3-0), with an undefeated record in at least three appearances.
“Right now we are just keeping our heads down and focusing on the work that lies ahead,” said Jake. “Luckily we have a bye in the first round, so a lot of us had time to get caught up on homework and prepare for our finals this week.”
The Steele brothers’ contributions this season demonstrate the impact of their upbringing in Murrieta and the support from their close-knit family. Next week, Valley News will provide an in-depth interview with Jake and Jason to give readers an exclusive look into their dynamic partnership and rise to NCAA glory.
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