HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i football team put together a second-half rally but it wasn't enough in 40-32 setback to Boise State Saturday night at Aloha Stadium. The Rainbow Warriors dropped to 2-3 on the year.
 
The game was a rematch of last year's Mountain West title game won by Boise State and it was reminiscent of that meeting as the Broncos used a pair of scores late in the first half to gain separation in an otherwise tight contest. BSU built its lead to as many as 24 points in the second half though the Warriors rallied to get within one possession with five minutes left.
 
The Broncos (4-1, 3-0 MW) however were able to hold off Hawai'i with a game-sealing drive. It was UH's ninth straight loss against Boise State with four of those coming in Honolulu.
 
UH lost despite another outstanding effort by Calvin Turner, who scored three touchdowns – all in the second half – on a 1-yard run and scoring receptions of 36- and 15-yards, respectively. The senior has a team-high seven touchdowns on the year and has scored in four of five contests this year.
 
Meanwhile, quarterback Chevan Cordeiro threw for 253 yards and three touchdowns and also gave the Broncos fits on the ground with a team-high 90 yards rushing.  
 
UH got on the board first with a Matthew Shipley first-quarter field goal and the Broncos held just a 6-3 advantage with a little more than five minutes left in the first half. But BSU got a pair of touchdown receptions by Kahlil Shakir on back-to-back possession to go up 19-3 at the break.
 
Turner's 1-yard plunge made on UH's opening drive of the second half made it a 19-9 game. However the Broncos answered right back with a 99-yard kickoff return by Avery Williams as the Broncos built a 24-point third quarter lead and held a 40-17 lead early in the fourth quarter.
 
The no-quit Warriors roared back with a pair of late touchdowns and a Jared Smart 4-yard catch with 4:52 left to get within eight points. However the Broncos were able to hold possession for the remainder of the game to squeeze out the win.
 
UH will be back in action at Aloha Stadium next week when they host undefeated Nevada (5-0) on Saturday, Nov. 28. Kickoff is at 6:00 p.m.