BOISE — Tyler Crowe has lived his whole life in the Treasure Valley and spent the last six years doing whatever he could to help the Boise State football team win. On Saturday, he got the opportunity to do something he’d never done before: Celebrate one of his own touchdowns in front of a home crowd at Albertsons Stadium.
His 6-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of the Broncos’ 56-14 win against Portland State was just the second score of his career and the first since scoring a 7-yard touchdown run at Fresno State during the 2021 season.
“It was just awesome to do it in front of the home fans,” Crowe said. “When I scored in Fresno, it was dead silent in there and you could hear a nickel drop. So doing it in front of the home fans, everyone was super excited. It was just a really awesome moment, a dream come true, for sure.”
It certainly was a long time coming for Crowe, who joined Boise State as a walk-on in 2019 following a dominant career at Skyview High. He began his college career as a linebacker, switched to running back in 2020, and has played a big role for the Broncos on special teams.
Offensively, he’s had 62 carries for 331 rushing yards during his Boise State career, but ask any of his coaches, and they’ll tell you Crowe’s impact goes far beyond the stats.
As a sixth-year guy, he’s become a leader for the Broncos, helping set the tone during offseason workouts and lifting sessions.
“Through all winter conditioning, spring ball, summer training, he’s the guy that absolutely works his tail off,” said Boise State coach Spencer Danielson. “He’s earned the trust and respect of his teammates because of his actions. So, when you go see him score that touchdown Saturday night, our sideline erupted because they see him put all the work in, they see him do all the things our team needs him to do. Him getting that moment was awesome.”
How team-oriented is Crowe? Even the celebration after his touchdown, one where he simulated shotgunning a beer, wasn’t one he created to celebrate his own score. Crowe admitted Wednesday that the celebration had been concocted that week as two-man show with Ashton Jeanty had Jeanty scored against the Vikings on a fullback package with Crowe on the lead block.
But with Jeanty done for the day thanks to a comfortable Bronco lead, Crowe decided to do the celebration himself.
“Everyone thought it was pretty good vibes and a party on The Blue,” Crowe said of the celebration.
Crowe didn’t return to Boise State for his sixth season for the spotlight, though. While being able to get his second career touchdown and first in front of home fans was nice, it was never about the stats or being the star.
Instead, he saw the potential that the Broncos had this season and wanted to be a part of it in any way he could.
“It’s my care for my teammates, I don’t do it for myself, I do it for everyone else here,” said Crowe. “I do it for the great coaching staff we have and I’m just trying to do whatever I can to help this team be successful.”
Part of that role was helping with the run game against Portland State in the second half. Jeanty’s day was done after 11 carries and 127 rushing yards in the first half and Sire Gaines left the game with an injury before halftime.
That left Crowe and Dylan Riley to carry much of the load in the second half. Crowe had a career-high 11 carries and ran for 57 yards. He also had a 7-yard reception from Max Cutforth, another Skyview High graduate. Cutforth, a redshirt freshman, and Crowe, were not at Skyview at the same time.
“T-Crowe is just one of the guys this program is built on,” said offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. “He’s a blue-collar Idaho kid who always wanted to play here and does exactly what he’s supposed to do, tries to do everything right. He can play and fill a lot of different roles, is always there when you need him. It was cool to see him get a chance to touch the ball a little bit more, he did a nice job with it.”
The Broncos will host Washington State on Saturday night in a huge matchup, so the Broncos figure to be playing with their starters longer into the night than they were against Portland State. But Crowe will be ready to fulfill whatever the Broncos need him to do, be that carry the ball, block for teammates or even play special teams.
He just wants to be a part of something special.
“I think our offense has so much talent, you can’t get caught up in who’s getting the carries, who’s getting the ball,” said Crowe. “Doing my one-eleventh to be part of one of the most productive offenses in the country is an awesome feeling for me.”
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