Nowadays, the Wildcats are way out of the No. 24-ranked Broncos' league. Try another universe.

Aside from the final score of 56-7, how overwhelmingly dominant were the Broncos of the Western Athletic Conference against its former Big Sky Conference foe?

At the conclusion of the first quarter, BSU, which has won 14 straight, had scored four touchdowns, rolled up 286 total yards and held Weber State without a first down. When the Wildcats finally earned a first down, with 6:31 to play in the half, quarterback Jimmy Barnes and back Trevyn Smith botched the next exchange and fumbled away the possession.

"First of all, this was a joke," WSU coach Ron McBride said. "I was surprised with the way we played. It's not all [the players'] fault. It goes to the coaching staff, too.

"That was as bad a football game I've been a part of. When you don't come to play, that's what happens."

The beating BSU (1-0) gave WSU (0-1) Thursday was complete, without mercy. The smoke hanging over Bronco Stadium from hundreds of tailgaters could well have been from a victory pyre.

BSU's Heisman Trophy candidate Ian Johnson broke the century mark rushing at 12:06 of the second period. By then, he had scored twice, closing the first quarter with a 54-yard scoring scamper.

Johnson finished with 128 yards, while his backup, Jeremy Avery gained 105 yards.

The 49 points Weber State surrendered in the first half were the most since Portland State put 56 on the Wildcats in 1980. That final was 75-0.

"They're a good team," said defensive tackle Bryce Scanlon, who praised Johnson's patience in exploiting spaces. "Their schemes are really good. It was tough for the defense, we were out there for a lot of plays."

WSU finally broke through late in the third period when Barnes and Bryant Eteuati connected on a 21-yard strike, making the score 56-7.

Meanwhile, Boise State quarterback Taylor Thorpe, who's night was finished before the half ended, was sharp in his first career start, 14-for-19 and 184 yards. Among his many highlights was a pinpoint 53-yard scoring pass to Titus Young midway through the opening period.

The second 15 minutes was only slightly worse as BSU scored on its first seven possessions.

In a scheduling coup, Weber State has next week off to forget and heal physically and emotionally before traveling to Cal Poly on Sept. 15.

"This is Boise State," said Smith. "They're not Cal Poly. I take it as a blessing and will learn from this experience."

martyr@sltrib.com