HONOLULU — The University of Hawai‘i football program will get their opportunity to avenge their loss against what has become one of the premier programs in the country in Boise State.
Last season, the Broncos defeated the Rainbow Warriors twice, and both victories were decisive, downing the Rainbow Warriors 59-37 and 31-10, the latter in the Mountain West Conference championship game.
Hoping to bounce back
The Rainbow Warriors hope to recover against the Broncos after an anemic offensive performance against San Diego State that resulted in a 34-10 loss.
Last week, the Rainbow Warriors generated 275 yards of total offense against the Aztecs, with their biggest play coming on a 75-yard touchdown run by running back Calvin Turner early in the fourth quarter.
Protecting Cordeiro a priority
Coming into the season, the Warriors had a highly-touted and experienced offensive front line, but this year they’ve been unable to live up to their preseason billing.
One area Hawai‘i has struggled with is being able to protect quarterback Chevan Cordeiro.
During last week’s contest, the Aztecs’ defense sacked Cordeiro five times.
The Broncos have nine sacks on the season, and they have players who apply pressure to the quarterback.
Leveling up
Because of the Broncos’ modern tradition of being one of the top collegiate football programs in the country, they’ve produced several players that have been picked in the NFL draft.
This year is no different, as Hawai‘i will again be tested by the offensive talent that could potentially play at the next level.
CT Thomas is a 5-foot, 8-inch receiver, but his height may be deceiving considering his ability to take over a game.
Thomas has had two games in which he has amassed over 100 yards receiving. He is averaging over 22 yards per reception, and this statistic makes him dangerous every time he touches the ball.
Getting defensive
Hawai‘i’s defense has struggled against defending the pass in recent contests. Against New Mexico, the Rainbow Warriors allowed 220 yards passing.
San Diego State didn’t present much of an aerial challenge to the Rainbows’ defense simply because they didn’t have to.
The Aztecs generated 336 yards rushing and scored three rushing touchdowns last week.
This week, the Warriors will face one of the more-balanced attacks they’ve seen.
The Broncos did not center the offensive attack around the run or the pass because they can do both effectively.
In last week’s win, Boise State generated 52 points in a victory over Colorado State. The running game was not overwhelming but consistent.
Khalil Shakir, Danny Smith and Andrew Van Buren created the majority of the rushing opportunities. They were able to rush for a combined 113 yards, with Van Buren scoring two touchdowns.
Overcoming tradition
The Broncos have won the last eight meetings with UH, dating back to 2008.
UH’s last win over the Broncos came in 2007, when it won 39-27 en route to a Western Athletic Conference title and an undefeated regular season.
Boise State has scored 42 or more points in three of four games, while UH has surrendered 31 points or more in each of its past three games.
Follow along
When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020
Time: 6 p.m. HT
Where: Honolulu, O‘ahu
Stadium: Aloha Stadium
Television: CBS Sports Network (Spectrum Ch. 247/HD 1247 and
Hawaiian Telcom Ch. 83/HD 1083) with John Sadak (play-by-play)
and Randy Cross (analyst).
Radio: ESPN Honolulu (1420AM/92.7FM). Bobby Curran (play-byplay)
and John Veneri (analyst). KRKH (Maui), KPUA (Hawai‘i Island),
and KTOH-HD3 (Kaua‘i). Chris Hart and Gary Dickman hosts the
“Countdown To Kickoff” at 4 p.m.
Video Streaming: CBSSports.com/CBS Sports app
Audio Streaming: ESPNHonolulu.com/Sideline Hawaii app
Live Stats: HawaiiAthletics.com
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Jason Blasco, reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or jblasco@thegardenisland.com.
