LAS CRUCES, N.M. — A big offensive performance. A shutout by the defense. A punt return for a touchdown.

Boise State is getting better. Even coach Chris Petersen agrees.

Kellen Moore threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns, and Boise State's defense allowed just 150 yards and had six sacks as the No. 11 Broncos beat New Mexico State, 49-0, last night.

"I think there's improvement. I definitely feel that," Petersen said. "We're still not there but we are getting better."

Boise State (8-0, 4-0 Western Athletic Conference) beat the Aggies 58-0 last season in Idaho and, after generating 495 total yards this time, simply kept things going a year later.

Ian Johnson and Jeremy Avery took turns ripping off long runs, each scoring a TD.

Kyle Wilson had a 71-yard punt return for a TD.

It was enough to convince Petersen that the Broncos are doing the right things. But what about Boise State's chances at breaking into the BCS bowls for the second time in three seasons?

On that point, Petersen remains unconvinced.

"We've got a long way to go," he said. "We've just got to get a lot better ourselves before we worry about any of that stuff. And we're getting better but this will be a tough road the next four weeks."

The injury-depleted Aggies (3-5, 1-3) were overmatched from the start, and coach Hal Mumme had no problem admitting it.

"We knew we couldn't handle those guys," he said. "They're too good. If we're at full speed and had everybody, we might have been able to make it a game. But they're a very talented group."

Boise State beat Hawai'i, 27-7, Oct. 17 in Boise. New Mexico State will host Hawai'i Saturday.

LOUISIANA TECH 38, FRESNO STATE 35

RUSTON, La. — Daniel Porter rushed for 189 yards and two touchdowns, including a 43-yarder in the fourth quarter for a 38-28 lead with 1:37 left, helping the host Bulldogs (4-4, 2-2) hold off the visiting Bulldogs (5-3, 2-2).

Fresno State lost at home to Hawai'i, 32-29 in overtime on Oct. 4, while Louisiana Tech lost at Hawai'i, 24-14, on Oct. 11.

SAN JOSE STATE 30, IDAHO 24

MOSCOW, Idaho — Myles Eden and David Richmond connected on two scoring passes and the visiting Spartans (6-3, 4-1) held off the Vandals (2-8, 1-5), who scored two fourth-quarter TDs to make it close.

San Jose State won at Hawai'i, 20-17, on Sept. 27. Idaho plays at Hawai'i on Nov. 22.

STANFORD 58, WASHINGTON STATE 0

STANFORD, Calif. — Toby Gerhart tied a single-game school record by running for four touchdowns before halftime and the Cardinal (5-4, 4-2 Pac-10) moved one step closer to bowl eligibility with a rout of the Cougars (1-8, 0-6) for their most lopsided win in 59 years.

Washington State plays at Hawai'i Nov. 29.

WEBER STATE 31, PORTLAND STATE 21

OGDEN, Utah — Trevyn Smith ran for 161 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Cameron Higgins hit Cody Nakamura on a 32-yard touchdown pass following an interception to open the second half as the Wildcats (8-2, 6-0 Big Sky Conference) took a 31-0 lead to beat the Vikings (3-5, 2-3).

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

OREGON STATE 27, ARIZONA STATE 25

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Victor Butler intercepted a Rudy Carpenter pass on an attempted 2-point conversion for the tie with 21 seconds left as the Beavers (5-3, 4-1 Pac-10) held on to hand the Sun Devils (2-6, 1-4) their sixth straight loss.

Oregon State beat Hawai'i, 45-7, in Corvallis, Ore. on Sept. 13.