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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, November 9, 2008

No. 9 Boise State stays undefeated

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Boise State's Ryan Winterswyk (98) forced a fumble by Utah State's Diondre Borel (12) during the first half yesterday's game.

MATT CILLEY | Associated Press

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BOISE, Idaho — Boise State rolled up 563 total yards, forced six turnovers and had four different players throw touchdown passes yesterday.

Such impressive stats helped the No. 9 Broncos to a 49-14 victory over Utah State to remain unbeaten and in contention for a Bowl Championship Series berth.

The victory keeps alive Boise State's hopes for a bid to the BCS heading into next week's game at Idaho, a team the Broncos have beaten nine straight times. BSU then travels to Nevada before closing out the season at home against Fresno State.

Now if the Broncos (9-0, 5-0 Western Athletic Conference) could just do something about those penalties.

Boise State, already one of the WAC's most penalized teams, was flagged 12 times for 114 yards, the third consecutive game with at least 11 penalties.

"The end result is what we wanted. The process of how we went about it was not," said Boise State coach Chris Petersen, whose record improved to 32-3. "We can get better and play cleaner. You don't want to be your own worst enemy."

Despite the mistakes, three turnovers and sluggish play against an unheralded opponent, the Broncos never let Utah State (2-8, 2-4) get closer than 14 points.

The Aggies pulled within 28-14 on their first possession of the second half when backup quarterback Sean Setzer threw a 29-yard TD to Robert Turbin.

But the Broncos responded two possessions later. After driving into the red zone, Broncos receiver Vinny Perretta took a handoff and faked an end run before zipping a 17-yard TD pass to Childs, all alone in the back corner of the end zone to put the Broncos up 35-14.

Broncos quarterback Kellen Moore was 27 of 36 for 362 yards and threw two touchdowns and an interception.

Boise State beat Hawai'i in Boise, 27-7, on Oct. 7, and Utah State beat Hawai'i, 30-14, last week in Logan, Utah.

Cincinnati 26, No. 20 West Virginia 23: Tony Pike threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Kazeem Alli in overtime to lift the Bearcats (7-2, 3-1) over the Mountaineers (6-3, 3-1) at Morgantown, W.Va., creating a three-way tie atop the Big East.

Cincinnati, which managed just two first downs after halftime after leading 20-7, plays at Hawai'i, Dec. 6

Arizona 59, Washington State 28: Xavier Smith scored two touchdowns, Nic Grigsby ran for 189 yards and the Wildcats (6-3, 4-2 Pac-10) become eligible for their first bowl game in a decade with a rout of the Cougars (1-9, 0-7) at Pullman, Wash.

Washington State plays at Hawai'i, Nov. 29.

Oregon State 34, UCLA 6: Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 144 yards to increase his season total to 1,089, setting a Pac-10 rushing record for freshmen, and also scored two touchdowns as the Beavers (6-3, 5-1 Pac-10) beat the Bruins (3-6, 2-4) at Pasadena, Calif.

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

Weber State 57, Idaho State 27: Saint Louis alum Cameron Higgins from Hawai'i passed for 369 yards and three touchdowns as the Wildcats (9-2, 7-0 Big Sky Conference) trounced the Bengals (0-10, 0-6) at Pocatello, Idaho, to earn the Big Sky Conference Championship and a spot in the FCS playoffs.

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

Louisiana Tech 21, San Jose State 0: Daniel Porter rushed for 102 yards, Patrick Jackson scored his 30th career touchdown and the Bulldogs (5-4, 3-2 WAC) intercepted two passes, leading to a pair of touchdowns to open a 14-0 lead in beating the Spartans (6-4, 4-2) at San Jose, Calif., for their first shutout in more than 12 years.

Louisiana Tech lost at Hawai'i, 24-14, on Oct. 11, while San Jose State won at Hawai'i, 20-17, on Sept. 27.