Tharp, BSU romp
Taylor Tharp threw a career-high four touchdown passes and Ian Johnson had 158 total yards and a touchdown to help Boise State roll to a 58-0 victory over New Mexico State on Sunday night at Boise.
All four of Tharp’s touchdowns came in the first half when the Broncos (4-1, 1-0 Western Athletic Conference) scored on five of their first six drives to take a 35-0 lead.
But the win, Boise State’s third straight, was a total team effort. The Broncos blocked a pair of punts, one leading to the second score, a 25-yard screen pass from Tharp to receiver Jeremy Childs.
And the Broncos’ defense throttled the Aggies’ potent passing attack, allowing just 64 total yards in the first half.
New Mexico State (3-3, 0-1) came into the game with the nation’s seventh-ranked passing attack, averaging 340 yards, but crossed midfield just once through the first three quarters.
(16) Hawaii 52, Utah State 37: Backup quarterback Tyler Graunke threw for three touchdowns in the third quarter and ran for another score as the Warriors defeated the Aggies late Saturday.
The victory gave the Warriors (5-0, 3-0 Western Athletic Conference) a school-record 10 straight conference wins and their best start since the 1981 team opened 7-0.
Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan walked off the field on his own power after taking a hard hit with 52 seconds left in the first half with Hawaii leading 24-14. The Heisman Trophy hopeful completed a short pass when he was drilled by linebacker Paul Igboeli.
Recovering from a right ankle injury he suffered three weeks ago, Brennan laid on the field for a few minutes before slowly getting up and gingerly walking off the field.
He was replaced by Graunke, who completed a 38-yard pass on his first pass to up his 1-yard TD run that put Hawaii up 31-13. Graunke was initially ruled down with 5 seconds left in the half, but the call was overturned after a review.
Brennan, ranked second in the nation in passing, returned in the third quarter to a round of cheers and played one series before limping off the field for good.
He finished 19 of 25 for 219 yards and one touchdown.