BRONCOS WITH THE BALL

Time to score? Boise State has scored 20 points or fewer against its four best opponents this season, but it has scored at least 32 points in the other five games. Hawaii fits with the latter group — ranking second-to-last in scoring defense. The Warriors run a fairly traditional defense with a mix of four- and three-man fronts.

Fourth-down success: Boise State broke out of its season-long fourth-down funk last week by converting all three of its attempts — one on each of the Broncos’ touchdown drives. Quarterback Joe Southwick completed passes on all three plays to convert fourth-and-3, fourth-and-4 and fourth-and-15.

WARRIORS WITH THE BALL

A new Hawaii: The run-and-shoot of June Jones and Greg McMackin has been replaced by the pro-style attack of Norm Chow. It’s been a painful transition with little production. The run game is solid, but the pass game has been one of the nation’s worst.

Trends continue: Boise State’s first-team defense has not allowed a touchdown play of longer than 7 yards, the defense has allowed one passing touchdown to a quarterback and the opposing offense has failed to score in the first half of six of the past seven games.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Another test: This is one area where Hawaii could cause Boise State problems. The Warriors are 18th in the nation in kickoff returns (25.8-yard average) and 37th in punt returns (10.6). Mike Edwards ranks 12th in kickoff returns with a 29.3-yard average and two touchdowns. Plus, defensive back John Hardy-Tuliau has blocked seven kicks (three punts, two field goals, two PATs) during his career.

Personnel losses hurt: The Broncos’ special teams might be the group most affected by the injuries and suspensions that have piled up the past couple weeks. Defensive backs Lee Hightower and Bryan Douglas, tight end Hayden Plinke, nickel Dextrell Simmons and long snapper Chris Roberson were contributors.

NOTES

Broncos limit penalties: Boise State committed one penalty last week and is tied for 13th nationally at 4.3 penalties per game.

Ugly slide: Hawaii has lost six straight games overall and eight straight conference games. Both streaks are the third-longest in school history. The school record is 19 straight losses (1997-99).

12-win streak ends: Boise State’s record streak of 12-win seasons ended at four with last week’s loss. The Broncos still could extend their 10-win streak to seven seasons, which would be the nation’s longest active streak.