HONOLULU (AP) -Boise State has emerged as one of the winningest programs in college football and has been near-perfect in the Western Athletic Conference. When it comes to playing on the islands, however, the Broncos are still trying to reach .500.
Boise State is 3-4 at Aloha Stadium and came up empty the last two visits. With the 2007 WAC title on the line, the Broncos lost to Hawaii 39-27 to close the regular season and ended the year losing to East Carolina in the Hawaii Bowl.
“Without question, it’s the most difficult trip we have to make,” Broncos coach Chris Petersen said. “There’s so many things in terms of preparation, trying to get all the logistics right, keeping the kids focused and all those things, and it’s not easy for anyone to do.”
he initial BCS standings, should have an easier time Saturday night against the injury-plagued Warriors (2-4, 0-3), who are hoping to turn their season around and avoid losing five straight for the first time since 1998.
In a tropical paradise where the beaches and bikinis in Waikiki can be big distractions, the Broncos are putting on the blinders for their BCS run.
“Tough place for us to go. Tough place for anybody to go play,” Petersen said. “Last couple times we’ve been there (it) hadn’t turned out so good, so we’re going to have to do a great job of really preparing our minds and getting them right and battling Hawaii, who always does a great job over there.”
The Broncos did have a few extra days of preparation. Their last game was a 28-21 victory at Tulsa on Oct. 14.
With their non-conference schedule over and the most difficult games arguably behind them, the Broncos are looking to continue their WAC dominance and win their seventh title in eight years. Boise State is 61-4 in conference since joining the WAC in 2001 and has won nine straight league games, including a 20-point home win over Hawaii last year.
After a series of convincing wins, the Broncos are coming off less-than-spectacular performances against UC Davis and Tulsa. Petersen said he doesn’t feel compelled to win a certain way or score a number of points to impress the polls.
do whatever we need to do to win the game. If it’s by one point or 10 points, so be it,” Petersen said.
But not many are expecting a close game this time, even if it’s in Honolulu. Boise State is a 25-point favorite.
With their WAC run essentially over, the Warriors are clinging on to their fading postseason chances and would love nothing more than to spoil the Broncos’ quest for a perfect season.
“This is our BCS championship game,” linebacker Blaze Soares said. “You shouldn’t have to say anything. You don’t have to do a rah-rah speech to get everybody pumped up.
“Yeah, they’re No. 4 (BCS) in the country, a great football team, unbelievable program. We just have to show up. If we come ready and prepared, we’re going to pull it out.”
Hawaii’s young defense needs to disrupt Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, who leads the nation in passing efficiency and has thrown for 16 touchdowns with just two interceptions. He threw for 256 yards and three TDs against Hawaii as a freshman last year.
Boise State should be able to light up the scoreboard behind a speedy backfield of Jeremy Avery and Doug Martin and talented receiving tandem of Austin Pettis and Titus Young. Pettis has scored in all six games this season and leads the Broncos with 32 catches and seven touchdowns.
The Broncos average 38 points and 430 yards a game and the mistake-prone Warriors allow nearly 406 yards and 30 points. Hawaii is also coming off a humbling 35-23 loss at Idaho.
“I love my players. They’re great human beings and great kids,” Hawaii coach Greg McMackin said. “They’re just trying to make plays, but they’re not doing it at the right point in time. They’re guessing. We need to be more disciplined.”
Without Rodney Bradley, one of its top receivers, Hawaii will rely heavily on Greg Salas, who has 42 receptions for 791 yards and five TDs.
Bryant Moniz, who began the season as Hawaii’s third-string quarterback, will make his third start. He got the call when starter Greg Alexander had a season-ending left knee injury Sept. 30. In two starts, Moniz has passed for 643 yards and three TDs, but has had problems finishing drives.
He’s looking more comfortable with every snap and for someone who grew up just a short drive from Aloha Stadium, he’s relishing the opportunity to become a hometown hero.
“Just like I dreamed it would be, except for the win column,” Moniz said. “We just got to turn that around and it will be picture perfect.”
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