Boise State Extends Hawaii’s Losing Streak to 7

Hawaii’s Mike Ewards recorded his third touchdown of the season – a 100-yarder in the first quarter – setting a new UH single-season and career return record. Photo courtesy of UH Athletics.

By Rodney S. Yap

The University of Hawai’i Warrior football team saw its losing streak extend to seven games following a 49-14 loss to Boise State, Saturday in a nationally televised game at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium.

The game marked the first between the teams as members of the Mountain West and potentially the last as the Broncos (8-2, 5-1 MW) leave the conference for the Big East next season.

In the loss, kickoff returner Mike Ewards recorded his third touchdown of the season – a 100-yarder in the first quarter – setting a new UH single-season and career return record. The junior from Cleveland, Ohio broke the previous mark of two held by Chad Owens and Malcolm Lane.

The first quarter touchdown tied the score at 7 and that would be the closest the Warriors (1-8, 0-6) would get as the Broncos reeled off 28 unanswered to close out the half and scored the first 14 points of the second half.

At halftime, BSU amassed 297 yards of total offense compared to 67 for the Warriors. BSU quarterback Joe Southwick had three touchdown passes while UH punter Alex Dunnachie had four punts of over 50 yards.

Hawaii tight end Ryan Hall led the Warriors with five receptions for 70 yards. Photo courtesy of UH Athletics.

“Joe’s (Southwick) ball, it’s been a long time coming,” Boise State head coach Chris Petersen said. “But I think he was turning it over nicely. When you can do that you can almost see it leave his hand and know the receiver will have a chance to make a play. ”

UH quarterbacks Sean Schroeder and Jeremy Higgins combined for 254 yards passing, off-setting the Warriors’ ground game which was held to a school-record low minus-14 yards. Higgins replaced Schroeder in the third quarter and completed 11-of-17 passes and directed the Warriors’ only offensive touchdown.

“You always have to keep in mind that the second guy (Higgins) is playing against the second unit (defense),” Hawaii coach Norm Chow said.

The Broncos got on the scoreboard first on a nine-yard rush by Shane Williams-Rhodes. The touchdown was set up by a 37-yard punt return by Chris Potter. But on the ensuing kickoff, Edwards fielded the ball three yards deep and zig-zagged to the left and went the distance for the touchdown.

UH forced the Broncos to punt on consecutive possessions, the latter return was muffed by Scott Harding, giving BSU a short field. Southwick’s pass to Matt Miller gave the Broncos a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the day.

The Broncos took a 42-7 lead midway through the third quarter after Schroeder fumbled attempting a pass. The ball was scooped up by Demarcus Lawrence and returned 25 yards for a touchdown.

UH got on the scoreboard again late in the fourth quarter as back-up quarterback Higgins directed a scoring drive, capped by a one-yard rush by John Lister.

“We’ll get together Monday morning and give the kids a chance to catch their breath,” Chow said on Hawaii’s short week. “The schedule makes it tough … We’re gonna play them (Air Force). We’re gonna play them hard and show up with committed guys.”

The Warriors return to the mainland where they will play a nationally televised game at Air Force, Friday, Nov. 16. Kick-off is 4:30 p.m. (Hawaii time) at Falcon Stadium.