Joe Jaszewski / McClatchy Tribune

No. 9 Boise State ends perfect season with route over Bulldogs

Before this season began, the final game for the Fresno State Bulldogs was billed as a possible Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship game.

As the year progressed, the Bulldogs’ fans just hoped their team wouldn’t be embarrassed by the No. 9 Boise State Broncos.

Unfortunately for Fresno State and its fans, neither happened.

The Bulldogs lost to the Boise State Broncos 61-10 Friday night in the final regular season game for the Bulldogs, who finished 7-5 on the year.

“Give credit to Boise State,” coach Pat Hill said. “They are a great program and play so well and with so much confidence here.”

That confidence has propelled the Broncos to an elite status in the WAC and has them poised to finish their third undefeated season since 2004.

The Broncos are now 12-0 and will hope to land in a Bowl Championship Series (BCS) game for the second time in three years.

Boise State has had Fresno State’s number since joining the WAC in 2001. The Broncos have beaten the Bulldogs 7-of-8 times since 2001.

Fresno State had the game close at halftime, trailing only 13-10, but gave up 48 unanswered points in the second half.

“I’ve never had a game unravel like that before. No matter what we did, they made plays,” Hill said.

The Bulldogs’ only touchdown came from Boise State’s opening drive. The Broncos chose to start senior quarterback Bush Hamdan for his final game at Bronco Stadium.

The move proved costly for Boise State. Hamdan’s only pass attempt was intercepted by Fresno State cornerback Damion Owens and returned for a 68-yard touchdown.

From that point on, the night was all Boise State’s.

The Bulldogs’ ground game was unable to move the ball against the Broncos and averaged only 2.4 yards per rush. Tailback Anthony Harding, who rushed for 200 yards in the two games before Boise State, rushed only nine times for 11 net yards.

Senior quarterback Tom Brandstater, who has never defeated Boise State as a starter, threw for 211 yards and two interceptions while playing with an ankle injury.

With the loss, Fresno State finishes in fifth place in the WAC and will wait to be invited to a postseason bowl.

“We have to pick up the pieces and get ready for a bowl game. We will get back home and get back to work,” Hill said. “We want to finish this season with a bowl win. That’s our next goal.”