Boise State tight end Ritchie Brockel (40) runs into the end zone after catching a 2-yard touchdown in the first quarter against Louisiana Tech. Boise State won, 45-35, on Friday in Ruston, La.

Early in the fourth quarter, there was nervous pacing along Boise State’s sideline.

With an opportunity to show a national television audience why they should once again become a BCS buster, a close game on the road was not what the fifth-ranked Broncos had in mind.

They looked anxious, but they weren’t rattled.

“We know we are going to have people’s best shots,” Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore said. “It’s kind of fun playing in tight games I think. Throw in a little pressure and it just shows the resiliency of this team.”

Moore threw for 354 yards and three touchdowns, and Boise State remained unbeaten and in contention for a BCS bid with a 45-35 victory over Louisiana Tech on Friday night.

Tech had pulled within 30-28 early in the fourth quarter on Dennis Morris’ leaping catch in the corner of the end zone. The Broncos defense buckled down long enough after that for Boise State to pull away with touchdowns on consecutive drives, first on Moore’s 12-yard pass to Austin Pettis and then on Jeremy Avery’s 44-yard touchdown run.

“We made more plays then they did tonight when it mattered and we were able to finish it out,” Moore said.

Avery finished with 146 yards rushing, while Titus Young caught eight passes for 110 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown for Boise State (9-0, 4-0 Western Athletic Conference).

Boise State has scored no fewer than 45 points in each of its four WAC games this season.

Still, the Broncos could have used a more dominant victory in their quest to prove they are more deserving than unbeaten and sixth-ranked TCU for a Bowl Championship Series bid.

“That’s how it always is when we play,” Boise State coach Chris Peterson said. “It’s never good enough, but it’s good enough for us. We are going to try to do better next week and just go from there.”

Trailing 27-7 at halftime, Tech (3-6, 2-4) made a game of it in the third quarter, starting with Josh Victorian’s first career touchdown on Moore’s third interception of the season. It was an ill-advised throw under pressure that hung in the air for Victorian, who raced down the sideline and cut inside Moore to cap a 75-yard return.

“Throwing that stupid pick, I think that really gave them some momentum that they were able to build on and take advantage of,” Moore said. “I think that certainly kept them in the game and it is definitely something that I shouldn’t have done.”