Colorado State converted on its first six third-down situations, with two directly resulting in touchdowns, to set the tone for Saturday’s 51-21 win over Hawaii at Aloha Stadium.

CSU quarterback Nick Stevens completed a 36-yard scoring pass to Detrich Clark on a third-and-11 to cap the Rams’ first possession. Stevens later hit Dalton Fackrell on third-and-goal from the 2 on the opening play of the second quarter.

CSU’s efficiency on early downs contributed to the percentage with the Rams converting three times on third-and-1.

“In the first half, the third downs were the difference,” UH coach Nick Rolovich said.

CSU finished the game 8-for-11 on third down, with Izzy Matthews rumbling 66 yards for a score on third-and-1 to close the scoring.

UH started the game 0-for-5 on third down and finished 4-for-12. UH converted on two of three fourth-down attempts.

Allen’s start streak ends at 42

For the first time since early in the 2014 season, a banged up UH offensive line took the field without Dejon Allen, ending the senior left tackle’s streak of consecutive starts at 42.

Chris Posa, who started three games at right guard and shifted to tackle against Wyoming, started at left tackle. Matt Norman made his first career start at right tackle.

“There was a point on Thursday where (Posa) wasn’t going to play,” Rolovich said. “He saw we were down, had nobody else and he sucked it up and played.”

Fred Ulu-Perry suffered a pregame injury and sophomore J.R. Hensley made his second career start at right guard.

Left guard John Wa’a now owns UH’s longest starting streak at 19 consecutive games.

Greeley gets in books

With UH missing its top two tight ends — Metuisela ’Unga and Dakota Torres — due to injury, freshman Kade Greeley saw his most extensive action of the season.

UH started in a four-receiver set and Greeley, who entered the game with one catch for 7 yards against UCLA, scored his first collegiate touchdown in the third quarter. Dru Brown rolled right and fired to Greeley, who touched his toes just inside the boundary while making a 30-yard reception.

Bobo wins QB contest

In the run-up to Saturday’s coaching matchup between former quarterbacks, Rolovich issued a throwing challenge to Colorado State’s Mike Bobo via Twitter. Bobo accepted and the coaches took the field before team warm-ups.

Rolovich missed his first attempt and Bobo, a former Georgia slinger, nailed the south end zone crossbar from 25 yards out.

They moved back incrementally, finishing at the 30, and neither could hit the bar again.