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By The Associated Press September 05. 2015 12:01AM No. 23 Broncos edge Petersen's Huskies BOISE, Idaho — Jeremy McNichols rushed for 89 yards and two first-half touchdowns, and No. 23 Boise State withstood a second half filled with special teams mistakes for a 16-13 victory over Washington on Friday night in Chris Petersen's return to the school he helped grow into a national power. Boise State (1-0) dominated the first half in building a 16-0 lead and looking like it would make Petersen's return a miserable memory. But Washington's defense stymied the Broncos in the second half and three big plays on special teams — including Dante Pettis' 76-yard punt return for a touchdown — gave Washington a chance. Washington freshman quarterback Jake Browning nearly pulled off a late rally to make Petersen a winner. Starting at Washington's 35 with 1:59 left, Browning drove the Huskies (0-1) into field goal range. But Cameron Van Winkle's 46-yard field goal attempt with 21 seconds left was wide right. Van Winkle had hit from 40 and 28 yards earlier in the game. NO. 4 BAYLOR 56, SMU 21 : At Dallas, Seth Russell threw for 376 yards and five touchdowns and also ran for a score to help fourth-ranked Baylor open the season with a victory. The two-time defending Big 12 champion Bears finally got to start fresh after the long, long offseason that followed their playoff snub last season. SMU played its first game for new coach Chad Morris, Clemson's offensive coordinator the past four seasons. The Mustangs, who scored only 12 total points their first four games last season with a 45-0 loss at Baylor, had 21 points in the first 1 1/2 quarters. NO. 5 MICHIGAN ST. 37, W. MICHIGAN 24 : At Kalamazoo, Mich., Madre London ran for two touchdowns in the first several minutes of his college career and Michigan State build a big lead it needed to hold off Western Michigan. The Spartans had a 27-7 lead in the second quarter and were up by 24 points in the third in the opener for both teams. The Broncos pulled within 10 early in the fourth by putting together two long TD drives. After giving up a field goal and having a three-and-out possession, Western Michigan drove to the Michigan State 7 with a chance to make the final minutes dramatic. Freshman cornerback Vayante Copeland, though, ended the suspense with an interception in the end zone. http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20150905/SPORTS/150909750 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->