Hawaii’s Silva doubles Moore’s pick total
BOISE, Idaho » Hawaii safety Mana Silva matched, by himself, what every other previous opponent could do against Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, combined, when it comes to interceptions.
Silva intercepted the Broncos junior Heisman Trophy candidate twice yesterday, doubling the total for the season thrown by Moore.
Silva also led Hawaii with 13 tackles and broke up a pass, too. But he was in little mood to celebrate after a 42-7 loss, in which UH allowed 737 yards — most in a game since 1948.
"They did a good job executing what they do well," Silva said. "I thought we came out ready to play. We just didn’t execute what we needed to do."
Silva’s 13 picks for his UH career tie him for the school record with Keone Jardine and Kelvin Millhouse.
The senior from Kamehameha-Hawaii has seven interceptions for the season. Chase Minnifield of Virginia and Domonic Cook of Buffalo entered action yesterday with six each to lead the nation. Neither had one yesterday. Walter Briggs holds the Hawaii single-season mark with nine.
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BRYANT HURT EARLY
UH starting cornerback Jeramy Bryant recovered Doug Martin‘s fumble at the Hawaii 7 and participated in five tackles early in the game, but left before halftime with bruised ribs.
His replacement, Kawika Ornellas, was in on three stops. But he also allowed BSU receiver Titus Young to get nearly 10 yards behind him on the longest play of the game, Moore’s 83-yard touchdown pass that made the score 35-0 midway through the third quarter. It is also the longest play of Moore’s career.
ELAM MARK SAFE, FOR NOW
BSU kicker Kyle Brotzman was hobbled with an injury, but still managed four extra points, giving him 393 points in his career.
His 52-yard field goal try early in the fourth quarter was wide left.
Brotzman is now two points shy of the all-time career WAC scoring record, held by Hawaii kicker Jason Elam.
ALEX AND ALEX ALSO DO WELL
Hawaii coach Greg McMackin didn’t have many positives to dwell on afterward, but he did cite Silva, running back Alex Green (10 carries for 107 yards and UH’s lone touchdown) and punter Alex Dunnachie.
"They outplayed us in all phases," McMackin said. "But our punter had a great game."
Dunnachie averaged 44.0 yards on nine punts, putting the Broncos behind their own 20 four times.
BREAK TIME
The Warriors have a bye next weekend, before hosting San Jose State on Nov. 20 and closing the WAC schedule Nov. 27 at New Mexico State. They host UNLV to end the regular season Dec. 4, and have accepted a berth in the Dec. 24 Hawaii Bowl.
The three remaining regular-season opponents have combined for a 4-23 record this year.