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Boise State hammers Hawaii

Oct 18, 2008 - 5:28 AM BOISE, Idaho (Ticker) -- Boise State is back to its BCS-bustin' ways.

Cornerback Brandyn Thompson intercepted three passes as the 16th-ranked Broncos bounced Hawaii, 27-7, in a Western Athletic Conference game Friday.

Boise State (6-0, 2-0 WAC) picked off five passes from Inoke Funaki and held the Warriors (3-4, 2-2) scoreless in the second half.

"We got some turnovers and that changed everything," coach Chris Petersen said after the Broncos' 17th straight home victory.

Hawaii coach Greg McMackin agreed.

"We're right back in the same turnover deal," McMackin said. "We can't turn the ball over five times."

Redshirt freshman Kellen Moore led the attack for Boise State, throwing three touchdowns and completing 25-of-33 passes for 256 yards.

"It's just the mentality of playing all four quarters and not relaxing at all," Moore said. "We knew we just had to keep scoring."

Moore directed a 12-play, 68-yard drive in the first quarter that culminated with Kyle Brotzman kicking a 31-yard field goal to give Boise a 3-0 lead.

He hit Richie Brockel with a 2-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to up the advantage to 10-0.

Hawaii battled back as Daniel Libre scored on a 3-yard run to make it 10-7 at halftime.

Three second-half turnovers led to Boise State scoring 17 points, dooming Hawaii.

The third quarter belonged to the Broncos as Moore connected with Julian Hawkins from 12 yards out and Austin Pettis from 16 to bump the margin to 24-7.

"The one thing we know about Kellen is that he's smart," Petersen said. "If you give him a crack, he's going to take advantage of it. He's been very smart with the ball down there, he's not going to turn it over, we have a lot of confidence that we can throw it in there because we know he's going to take care of the football for us. He did it again tonight."

The third interception by Thompson led to a 43-yard field goal by Brotzman early in the fourth quarter that made it 27-7.

"It feels good. When you see an opportunity to make a play, you want to make the play," Thompson said. "You don't know how many chances you get like that. Fortunately, I was able to make the plays tonight."

Boise State's defense harassed Funaki, sacking him five times and forcing him into a 17-of-34 effort for 188 yards. Back-up quarterback Greg Alexander was sacked once, too.

The Warriors were limited to 56 yards rushing on 35 carries. They are winless in four trips to Boise and 9-30 all-time against ranked teams.

"Second half, I have to give Boise State full credit," McMackin said. "They slowed us down and did a great job defending us. They are one of the top defenses in the country and, in the second half, they showed that."

The victory served as a measure of revenge for the Broncos, who lost 39-27 at Hawaii last year in a game that decided the WAC championship.

"It means a lot. Last year left a really bitter taste in my mouth," defensive end Mike T. Williams said. "It was at their house, and we had to watch them celebrate. We're used to winning WAC championships around here and they took it from us. So, it really just felt good as a team to go out there and knock them off."

It also was a meeting of the schools that had busted the BCS in the past two seasons.

The Broncos went to 2007 Fiesta Bowl and shocked Oklahoma, 43-42. The Warriors went to the 2008 Sugar Bowl, where they were devoured by Georgia, 41-10.