Boise State Vs. Hawaii: Fumbles Cost Broncos Points But Not The Lead

Dustin Blount fumbles Hawaii's opening kickoff return, which is especially problematic in this situation, as it raises the chances of returning the ball to the Boise State offense. Hawaii recovers, however, and Bryant Moniz goes to work with the nation's top-ranked passing unit.

That unit is having some problems getting started. Two incompletions and a sack later, and Boise State's backing up to catch a Warriors punt. Kellen Moore's first pass falls incomplete, itself a rarity, but he hits Tyler Shoemaker on second down for a 21-yard completion. Moore's next two passes cover 11 and 19 yards to Doug Martin and Austin Pettis, but on what might be a touchdown catch and run by Martin at Hawaii's 6-yard line, the Muscle Hamster fumbles and turns the ball over.

Boise State's defense isn't about to lie down for just anyone. A big run on first down and three straight Moniz completions are met by an incomplete pass, another fumble recovered by the Warriors, and a sack on Moniz. Hawaii punts on 4th-and-21.

Boise State launches another rapid-fire drive, featuring a 23-yard catch by Shoemaker and 29 receiving yards from Pettis, and Jeremy Avery gets free for a 15-yard touchdown sprint. A trickeroo two-point conversion attempt fails, and Boise State leads, 6-0.

Hawaii follows this up with another three-and-out, and at the end of the first quarter, the Broncos are down to the Warriors' 16-yard line and driving.