HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Ian Johnson and his buddies on No. 15 Boise State's dynamic offense usually get all the attention.

Last night it was the Broncos' overlooked defenders who muscled into the action, stifling Southern Miss in a 24-7 win that gave Boise State its 14th victory in its last 15 regular-season games.

"I really think it's awesome the way the defense stepped up and made plays," Boise State coach Chris Petersen said.

If the Broncos are going to stay undefeated and reach the BCS for the second time in three seasons out of the Western Athletic Conference, they'll need to play more D like this.

Southern Miss (2-4) came in as the nation's No. 17 offense, averaging 457 yards a game. Boise State (5-0) stymied first-year coach Larry Fedora's no-huddle spread offense, holding the Golden Eagles to 278 total yards and coming up with a handful of stops that helped an offense that only scored in a furious second quarter.

The biggest stop came on fourth-and-1 at midfield with about 11 minutes left in the second quarter and the Broncos up 7-0. Austin Davis tried a quarterback sneak, but Boise State stuffed it and went up 14-0 on one of Kellen Moore's three touchdown passes.

The Broncos also stopped the Golden Eagles on fourth down twice in Boise State territory in the fourth quarter to halt potential rallies. George Iloka batted down one pass to end a drive and Jeron Johnson ended another with an interception.

Boise State will host Hawai'i on Friday.

NEW MEXICO STATE 48, NEVADA 45

RENO, Nev. — Chase Holbrook passed for 409 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for a touchdown as the Aggies (3-2, 1-0 WAC) won a shootout over the Wolf Pack (3-3, 1-1).

The Aggies controlled the ball for the final 3:51 to run out the clock in a game that saw the two teams combine for more than 1,000 yards in total offense. New Mexico State had 513 yards in total offense, while the Wolf Pack had 507 yards.

Nevada plays at Hawai'i Oct. 25.

SAN JOSE STATE 30, UTAH STATE 7

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Kyle Reed threw for a season-high 300 yards and three touchdowns, powering the Spartans (4-2, 2-0 WAC) to a victory over the Aggies (1-5, 1-1).

David Richmond caught eight passes, including one for a touchdown, for 89 yards as the Spartans won for the 15th time in 17 home games. Terrance Williams and Brian Elledge also caught TD passes, and Duke Ihenacho had two interceptions, returning one 43 yards for a score for the Spartans.

San Jose State beat Hawai'i, 20-17, Sept. 27. New Mexico State hosts Hawai'i Nov. 8

FRESNO STATE 45, IDAHO 32

FRESNO, Calif. — Tom Brandstater passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third, and Lonyae Miller rushed for 181 yards and a touchdown as the Bulldogs (4-2, 1-1) outlasted the Vandals (1-6, 0-3).

Nathan Enderle passed for 237 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Preston Davis for the Vandals, who have lost 16 straight conference games.

Fresno State lost to Hawai'i, 32-29, in overtime last week. Idaho will play at Hawai'i Nov. 22.

UH OPPONENTS

Oregon State 66, Washington State 13: Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 168 yards, Sammie Stroughter had 116 yards receiving and eight different players scored touchdowns as the Beavers (3-3, 2-1 Pac10) romped past the Cougars (1-6, 0-4) at Corvallis, Ore.

Washington State plays at Hawai'i Nov. 29.

Cincinnati 13, Rutgers 10: Redshirt freshman Chazz Anderson ran eight yards for a touchdown on a quarterback draw to lead the Bearcats (5-1, 1-0 Big East) past the Scarlet Knights (1-5, 0-2) at Cincinnati.

Cincinnati plays at Hawai'i Dec. 6.

Weber State 35, Montana State 12: Cameron Higgins, a Saint Louis School alum from Hawai'i, passed for 347 yards and four touchdowns to lead the visiting Wildcats (5-2, 3-0 Big Sky) over the Bobcats (3-3, 1-1) on a blustery, snowy afternoon in Bozeman, Mont.

Hawai'i beat Weber State, 36-17, Sept. 6.