INGLEWOOD — The Bucked Up LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk concluded its run at SoFi Stadium with a decisive statement from the University of Washington. On a Saturday evening that served as a homecoming for dozens of local athletes, the Huskies overwhelmed the Boise State Broncos in a 38-10 victory.
The game, which pitted the Mountain West champion against a former Pac-12 powerhouse, was initially billed as a tightly contested matchup. However, Washington (9-4) controlled the tempo from the outset, dominating all three phases of the game and handing Boise State (9-5) a lopsided loss to end their season.
For Boise State, the night began with promise but quickly unraveled. After an early 53-yard field goal gave the Broncos a brief 3-0 lead, the offense struggled to find rhythm against a stifling Washington defense. The Broncos, fresh off their third consecutive Mountain West title, were plagued by turnovers, tossing five interceptions throughout the contest.
Washington’s offense, led by quarterback Demond Williams Jr. and running back Jonah Coleman, proved too much for the Boise State defense. The Huskies responded to Boise State’s opening score with a relentless attack. Williams Jr. connected with his receivers effectively, while Coleman gashed the Broncos on the ground. A breakdown in the Boise State secondary allowed a 78-yard touchdown pass to Denzel Boston in the second quarter, extending Washington’s lead to 17-3 and shifting the momentum permanently in the Huskies’ favor.
The game held special significance for the many Southern California natives on both rosters. For Boise State, safety Marco Notarainni was a bright spot on an otherwise difficult night. The San Diego native recorded six total tackles, including two for loss, and a sack in the first half alone, doing his part to keep the Broncos within striking distance early on.
Local connections also featured heavily for Washington. With 40 players on the roster hailing from California, the victory tasted particularly sweet. Among those making a return to Southern California were quarterback Dash Beierly, who spent his early high school years at Chaparral High in Temecula before starring at Mater Dei, and safety Vincent Holmes, a San Jacinto graduate known for his leadership in the Tigers’ 2022 state playoff run.
Beierly contributed to Washington’s quarterback depth throughout the season and brought his dynamic skill set back to the region where he first made his mark, while Holmes played a role in the Huskies’ stout secondary that limited Boise State’s passing game. The defense, anchored by these local talents, suffocated the Broncos’ attack, forcing Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen into difficult situations all night. Madsen, who had been instrumental in the Broncos’ conference championship run, finished the game 7-of-16 for just 51 yards and two interceptions before leaving with a foot injury in the third quarter.
The third quarter saw Washington pull away completely. After taking a 24-3 lead into halftime, the Huskies added another touchdown on a 32-yard pass to tight end Quentin Moore. Moore’s celebration—a “Gronk spike” in honor of the bowl’s host—drew a flag but underscored the loose, confident energy of the Washington sideline. By the time the fourth quarter arrived, the score was 31-3, and the outcome was no longer in doubt.
Boise State’s frustrations mounted as the game wore on. The offensive line, already patchwork due to injuries and opt-outs, lost right guard Roger Carreon to injury. This forced Murrieta Valley alum Jason Steele into action at right guard, joining his brother Jake Steele on the line. Despite the adversity, the local brothers battled in the trenches against a formidable Washington front.
Late in the game, backup quarterback Max Cutforth tried to spark the Broncos’ offense but fared little better against the Huskies’ secondary, throwing three interceptions in the final frame. The Broncos’ lone touchdown came far too late to impact the result.
The loss marked a bitter end to the season for head coach Spencer Danielson and his squad, who will move to the Pac-12 conference next year. Conversely, it was a triumphant finish for Washington and head coach Jedd Fisch, capping an 9-win season with a bowl trophy raised on California soil.
For the fans in Inglewood, the game was a showcase of the talent pipeline that runs from Southern California high schools to major college programs. While the result was one-sided, the presence of players like Notarainni and the Steele brothers ensured that local pride remained a central theme until the final whistle.
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