No Boise State football player wanted to avenge last year’s loss to Hawaii more than sophomore cornerback Brandyn Thompson.
And no Bronco had a bigger role in making it happen.
Thompson grabbed three interceptions Friday night in Boise to lead the 15th-ranked Broncos to a 27-7 victory over the defending Western Athletic Conference champion Warriors.
Boise State (6-0 overall, 2-0 WAC) became the clear favorite to regain the title it held from 2002 to 2006. Hawaii ended that reign on Thanksgiving weekend last year in Honolulu.
“It was a statement game,”
sophomore safety Jeron Johnson said. “We’re back.”
It was a poignant win for Thompson, who played poorly last year at Hawaii. The true freshman was only in last year’s game because of an injury to starter Orlando Scandrick.
And the Warriors burned Thompson for a key 38-yard touchdown in that game. Those memories left Thompson “on a mission to prove to people he can play that position,”
defensive backs coach Marcel Yates said before the season.
There’s no doubt about that now.
“He really stepped up,”
Boise State coach Chris Petersen said. “He’s playing great. It was awesome for him to have the kind of game he did. He really deserved it.”
Thompson’s first interception, on which he tapped his toes inside the sideline like a receiver, prevented Hawaii from trying a tying field goal in the second quarter.
His second interception and 24-yard return, in the third quarter, helped the Broncos take a 17-7 lead.
And his third interception, a diving grab, set up a Kyle Brotzman field goal that gave the Broncos their 27-7 lead.
“I definitely did have (the game) circled on my calendar,”
Thompson said. “Last year, as a freshman, it was the most time I saw and they kind of took advantage of me. It definitely feels good.”
Thompson’s interceptions were part of a defensive effort that saw the Broncos get five interceptions and seven sacks, and stop a fourth-and-1 play in the red zone.
For the fifth time in six games, they allowed a touchdown or less.
“They just step up to the challenge each week,”
said Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, who threw three touchdown passes. “They’re getting better. It’s pretty impressive and it’s fun on our part seeing them take care of business.”
Moore, a redshirt freshman out of Prosser High School, was 25-of-34 passing for 256 yards and no interceptions.
Hawaii had a chance to take an early lead, something only Oregon has been able to do this season. The Warriors’ opening drive lasted 15 plays and reached the Boise State 15-yard line, with help from a fourth-and-1 conversion.
The Warriors tried another fourth-down play at the 15, though, and linebacker Kyle Gingg and defensive end Mike T. Williams stuffed Kealoha Pilares on the option for a 3-yard loss.
It was the Broncos’ seventh fourth-down stop in eight opponent tries dating to the Oregon game.
The Broncos responded with a 68-yard drive keyed by Austin Pettis’ leaping, 19-yard grab on third-and-13. However, on third-and-1 tailback Ian Johnson was stuffed for a 4-yard loss. Kyle Brotzman booted a 31-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 1:45 left in the first quarter.
The Broncos got the ball at the Hawaii 48 for their next drive thanks to a bad punt. They quickly reached the 5, but three straight run plays netted just 3 yards.
On fourth-and-goal at the 2, Moore faked a handoff, rolled left and hit tight end Richie Brockel for the touchdown. That gave BSU a 10-0 lead with 9:42 left in the first half.
Hawaii countered with Daniel Libre’s 3-yard touchdown run the closed the Warriors to 10-7 with 5:33 left. But they would get no closer
Extra points
University of Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz has suspended his son, James, from the Hawkeyes’ football team after he was cited for drinking underage. James Ferentz, a freshman offensive lineman, was cited by Iowa City Police for drinking underage early Friday morning. … Former Clemson star linebacker Jeff Davis is joining the football staff of interim coach Dabo Swinney. Davis, anchor of the Tigers’ 1981 national championship team, will be an assistant athletic director for player relations.
