arbiteronline
While Dylan Riley captures attention with explosive runs, quarterback Maddux Madsen has quietly assembled one of the nation's most efficient passing campaigns for Boise State. Through six games, the fifth-year senior has completed 110 of 166 attempts (66.3%) for 1,296 yards, 13 touchdowns and no interceptions.
Madsen has steered the Broncos to a 5-1 overall record and a 2-0 start in Pac-12 play. He and Indiana's Josh Hoover are the only FBS quarterbacks this season to reach 1,000 passing yards and 10 touchdowns without throwing a pick. On fourth down, Madsen ranks third in quarterback efficiency among the 58 FBS signal-callers with at least five attempts in such situations.
A third-year starter who arrived on campus in 2022, Madsen has already cemented himself among the most statistically decorated passers in Boise State history. Head coach Spencer Danielson has consistently defended his quarterback against outside criticism and narratives.
"[Madsen] is one of the greatest leaders I've ever been around, he's one of the best teammates I've ever been around, he's one of the best quarterbacks I've ever been around," Danielson said. "Regardless of what people think, he has put a body of work in through six games that I'd be hard pressed to talk about another quarterback playing at a higher level than him."
Madsen took over the starting job during 2024 fall camp after beating out former five-star recruit Malachi Nelson. He owns a 24-7 record as a starter and has never lost a game on The Blue in which he finished. In 2024, he threw for 3,018 yards and 23 touchdowns on 62.4% completion, followed by 2,334 yards and 18 scores in 2025. This season, with a high completion rate and zero turnovers, he is producing his most efficient campaign yet, combining accuracy, decision-making and ball security.
Madsen's name appears throughout the Boise State record book. He ranks sixth in career completions (617), touchdowns (63), 200-yard games (22) and total offense per game (205.2). He sits seventh with 7,882 career passing yards and 8,415 yards of total offense, and his career interception ratio of 0.018 (18 in 1,000 attempts) ranks third in school history. The Broncos are undefeated when he throws for 200+ yards, 2+ touchdowns and zero turnovers.
"I want to leave absolutely no regrets for what I've done at this program," Madsen said of his legacy. "You talk about the great tradition of excellence that this place has, especially in the quarterback room, with Kellen [Moore], Brett [Rypien], [Taylor Tharp], Grant Hedrick I would want to be in consideration of the names that those are, and with that comes winning games and leaving this place with conference wins and this experience is something that I'll forever be grateful for."
A native of Lehi, Utah, Madsen was a three-star recruit out of American Fork High School and rated the No. 21 recruit in the state. During his junior and senior seasons, he threw for a total of 7,000 yards and over 80 touchdowns, committing to Boise State in July 2021 shortly before his senior year.
Madsen also excelled on the baseball diamond in high school, earning 5A Player of the Year honors as a senior in 2022. That spring, he transferred to nearby Lehi High School to play for his father, an assistant coach, alongside two of his younger brothers, who were also members of the Lehi team. He led Lehi to its first baseball state championship since 1981, hitting .455 with 4 home runs and 42 RBI while playing as an infielder.
The physical toughness, mental discipline and competitive drive Madsen developed as a standout dual-sport athlete have helped shape him into a cornerstone of Boise State's success. Through his leadership and on-field production, he has played a pivotal role in the program's accomplishments.
"I don't care what nobody says, that's my quarterback," running back Sire Gaines said. "Everybody can say what they want to say, but I'm riding with Maddog until the wheels fall off. When you talk about a true quarterback that's leading, that's Maddux Madsen."
Key Analysis
Madsen's interception-free start has thrust him into rare company, and his career trajectory suggests he could finish among the most accomplished quarterbacks in Boise State lore. Before the season, he was named to multiple preseason award watchlists, including the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Earlier this week, he was selected as a finalist for the Campbell Trophy, awarded to the nation's premier scholar-athlete, and the Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, presented annually to a college football player who exemplifies leadership on and off the field.
With Boise State ranked No. 21 nationally at 5-1, Madsen will look to continue his success and guide the Broncos toward a third-straight conference title and their second College Football Playoff appearance in three seasons. Coming off a bye week, the Broncos are set to face Washington State in Pullman on Oct. 24.
Originally reported by arbiteronline.