honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, November 18, 2007

Boise State rolls into title game

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Boise State's Ian Johnson scored on a 7-yard run, carrying Idaho's Taylor Rust into the end zone in the first quarter.

MATT CILLEY | Associated Press

spacer spacer

BOISE, Idaho — Boise State can finally focus on Hawai'i.

For weeks, the No. 17 Broncos have been quizzed about looking beyond lesser opponents to Friday's matchup with No. 13 Hawai'i, a game that will decide the Western Athletic Conference championship.

Boise State (10-1, 7-0) put itself in position to win its sixth straight WAC crown and maybe earn a second straight Bowl Championship Series bid by dismantling in-state rival Idaho, 58-14, yesterday.

"I'm not really going to think about it until tomorrow," Bronco safety Marty Tadman said of the showdown with the undefeated Warriors in Honolulu. "I think I'll enjoy this victory today. I am really glad now we don't have to keep saying 'We're not overlooking anyone.' "

The Broncos broke open a close game in the second half, scoring 41 unanswered points after the Vandals cut the lead to 17-14 late in the first half.

Taylor Tharp led the way, throwing for 282 yards and four touchdowns, including a 58-yarder in the third quarter to Titus Young that extended the lead to 38-14. Tharp was 22 of 31 before leaving early in the fourth quarter with the game well in hand.

Ian Johnson carried 21 times for 109 yards and two scores and Austin Pettis had eight catches for 139 yards and three TDs. The Broncos rolled up 556 total yards, played their third straight game without a turnover and beat the Vandals (1-10, 0-7) for the ninth straight time.

MORE WAC

UTAH STATE 35, NEW MEXICO STATE 17

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Rob Myers caught two touchdown passes and Kevin Robinson returned a kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown as Utah State (1-10, 1-6) beat New Mexico State (4-8, 1-6) to end a 16-game losing streak.

Utah State lost to Hawai'i, 52-37, Oct. 6, while New Mexico State fell to Hawai'i, 50-13, Oct. 27.

LOUISIANA TECH 27, SAN JOSE STATE 23

RUSTON, La. — Zac Champion threw for three touchdowns in the first quarter and Danny Horwedel added two field goals and all three extra points, helping the Bulldogs (5-6, 4-3) hold off the Spartans (4-7, 3-4), who rallied from a 24-6 halftime deficit to end the quarter down 24-23.

Louisiana Tech lost to Hawai'i, 45-44, in overtime, Sept. 8, while San Jose State also lost to Hawai'i, 42-35, Oct. 12 in OT.

UH OPPONENTS

WASHINGTON 37, CALIFORNIA 23

SEATTLE — Washington didn't need quarterback Jake Locker, after all.

Louis Rankin ran 21 times for 224 yards and a touchdown in less than three quarters as the Huskies (4-7, 2-6 Pac-10) shook off not having their team leader Locker (sprained neck) to hand the Bears' (6-5, 3-5) their fifth loss in six games.

Rankin did not play the final 1 1/2 quarters, apparently because of an injury. His backup, freshman Brandon Johnson, ran for 121 yards on 23 carries.

Washington hosts Washington State on Saturday for the Apple Cup and finishes its regular season Dec. 1 at Hawai'i.

PORTLAND STATE 31, NORTHERN COLORADO 21

GREELEY, Colo. — Tremayne Kirkland caught two touchdown passes and Ronnie Fa'avae scored on a 14-yard TD run with 5:54 to play, leading the Vikings (3-8, 3-5 Big Sky) over the Bears (1-11, 1-7) to end a five-game losing streak.

Northern Colorado lost to Hawai'i, 63-6, Sept. 1

COASTAL CAROLINA 41, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 2

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Mike Tolbert ran for three touchdowns and Jamar Anderson returned a punt 53 yards in the second quarter for a 28-0 lead as the Chanticleers (5-6, 3-1 Big South Conference) routed the Buccaneers (5-6, 1-3).

Charleston Southern lost to Hawai'i, 66-10, Sept. 22.

TCU 34, UNLV 10

FORT WORTH, Texas — Andy Dalton rushed for two touchdowns and the Horned Frogs (6-5, 3-4 Mountain West) earned bowl eligibility after scoring touchdowns on their first four possessions in rolling past the Rebels (2-9, 1-6).

UNLV lost to Hawai'i, 49-14, Sept. 15.