UH’s Edwards sets return record

Before this season, UH hadn’t had a kickoff returned for a touchdown since 2008.

After a spectacular 100-yard scamper in the first quarter, UH return man Mike Edwards has three in 2012, setting a program record for both a season and a career.

He had to work hard for it, taking it out of the end zone from right to left. He was nearly tripped up at the 30, but regained his footing in the still-open field. He went past midfield along the left sideline and made a spectacular cutback to the hashmarks when three Boise State Broncos tried to converge on him and came up instead with air. From there, he made it in easily to tie the game at 7-7.

"I just ran my keys, man," Edwards said. "Our team put a lot of emphasis and effort on blocking, so I was just blessed to make a play for the team and it was the perfect time and a great situation. I would rather get the win, but at that point in time in the game, it was good to get back in the game."

BSU clearly kicked away from Edwards from that point on. He finished with 185 yards on four returns.

Jackson continues to impress

True freshman strong safety Marrell Jackson continues to make plays in the UH secondary.

Jackson led the Warriors with nine tackles, including one for loss, and had three of UH’s five passes broken up.

The Florida native has 32 tackles in starting the past four games (eight per game). No one else had more than five against Boise State.

Linebackers Art Laurel and Darryl McBride Jr. had UH’s only sacks of the game.

RB Will Gregory gone early

Hawaii lost important field position and its top ground-gainer on the fifth play of the game.

Boise State got 15 yards tacked onto Chris Potter’s 37-yard punt return because of a Warriors personal foul when UH’s Will Gregory took a swing at a Broncos player.

It moved the ball to the Hawaii 18, and Boise State opened the scoring with a touchdown two plays later. And Gregory — UH’s leading rusher with 561 yards headed into play — was ejected from the game before getting a chance for even one carry.

"That will be dealt with in a severe manner," UH coach Norm Chow said in his postgame press conference.

Broncos’ Burks lives up to potential

It took Boise State more than two months before it had a receiver go for more than 100 yards in a single game.

Junior Aaron Burks, who had only 10 catches for 157 yards total all year coming in, finished with five receptions for 107 yards and a score.

His 46-yard touchdown catch capped off a 21-point first quarter as the Broncos were well on their way toward a blowout.

"We’ve been waiting … he’s been showing flashes," Boise State coach Chris Petersen said.

Boise State’s leading receiver is Matt Miller with 528 yards — a paltry 52.8-yard average a game.

That’s not much for a program that has featured current NFL receivers Austin Pettis and Titus Young in recent years.