What Is 2014 Boise State Broncos football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with an 11-4 record and winning the Mountain West Conference Championship on December 6, 2014, defeating Fresno State 28-14.

Key Facts

Boise State finished the 2014 season with an 11-4 overall record
The team won the Mountain West Conference Championship on December 6, 2014
Quarterback Grant Hedrick threw for 2,506 yards and 23 touchdowns
Running back Jay Ajayi rushed for 1,689 yards and 22 touchdowns
Boise State defeated Arizona in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl, which occurred in January 2014 but was part of the 2013 season

Overview

The 2014 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season, competing as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MWC) in the Mountain Division. Under head coach Bryan Harsin, who was in his second season, the Broncos posted an 11-4 overall record and captured the Mountain West Conference Championship with a 28-14 victory over Fresno State on December 6, 2014.

This season marked a significant transition for the program, as it was the first full season without longtime head coach Chris Petersen, who left for Washington after the 2013 season. Despite the leadership change, the Broncos remained competitive, showcasing a balanced offense and a disciplined defense that kept them in contention for a New Year's Six bowl berth.

11-4 record: The Broncos finished the regular season with an 11-2 record before losing their bowl game, demonstrating consistency throughout the year.
Mountain West Champions: Boise State defeated Fresno State 28-14 in the conference title game, securing their first MWC championship since 2011.
Quarterback performance:Grant Hedrick threw for 2,506 yards and 23 touchdowns while completing 61% of his passes, anchoring the offense.
Running back dominance:Jay Ajayi rushed for 1,689 yards and scored 22 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Mountain West honors.
Bowl appearance: The team played in the 2014 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on December 22, losing 38-30 to Boston College.

Season Performance and Key Players

The 2014 campaign highlighted both offensive firepower and defensive resilience, with standout performances from key players shaping the team's identity. While the Broncos missed a spot in a major bowl game, their conference title win underscored their status as a top Group of Five program.

Head coach Bryan Harsin: In his second year, Harsin led the Broncos to an 11-4 record, proving he could maintain success after Petersen's departure.
Defensive strength: The defense allowed just 20.3 points per game, ranking among the top 20 in the FBS for scoring defense.
Offensive balance: Boise State averaged 37.4 points per game and 456.2 total yards, showcasing a modern, fast-paced attack.
Key win: A 27-24 victory over rival Nevada on November 21 helped secure their division title.
Special teams: Kicker Harrison Waid made 19 of 23 field goals, including a long of 53 yards, providing reliable scoring.
Turnover margin: The team finished with a +10 turnover margin, one of the best in the nation, fueling their defensive success.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2014 Boise State Broncos compared to key peers in the Group of Five conferences:

Team	Record	Conference	Points Per Game	Bowl Result
Boise State	11-4	Mountain West	37.4	Lost to Boston College (38-30)
Cincinnati	9-4	American	32.8	Won Liberty Bowl (31-24 vs. Virginia Tech)
UCF	6-7	American	27.2	Lost to NC State (31-24)
Baylor	11-2	Big 12	47.9	Lost to Michigan State (42-41)
Arizona	10-4	Pac-12	38.1	Lost to Boise State in 2014 Fiesta Bowl

The table shows that while Boise State had a strong season, their loss in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl prevented them from matching the postseason success of other top non-Power Five teams. However, their conference title and offensive production kept them among the elite Group of Five programs.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season was pivotal for Boise State as it proved the program could remain competitive after the departure of a legendary coach. It also highlighted the growing parity in college football, where non-Power Five teams could still achieve national relevance through conference dominance and strong statistical performance.

Program continuity: Successfully transitioning from Petersen to Harsin showed organizational strength and depth in coaching.
Recruiting impact: A conference title helped attract higher-rated recruits in subsequent years.
College Football Playoff implications: Though not selected, Boise State’s record kept them in the conversation for inclusion in future years.
Financial boost: Conference championship and bowl game appearances generated increased revenue for the athletic department.
National perception: The season reinforced Boise State as a consistent winner despite lacking Power Five status.
Player development: Jay Ajayi’s breakout season led to his eventual NFL Draft selection in 2015 by the Miami Dolphins.

The 2014 Boise State Broncos season stands as a testament to sustained excellence in college football, demonstrating that strong culture and coaching can overcome major transitions.