StarBulletin.com

Funaki ties a mark he'd rather not have


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POSTED: Saturday, October 18, 2008

BOISE, Idaho » Inoke Funaki put his name next to Colt Brennan's and Tim Chang's in the Hawaii record book, though not in the category he would have hoped.

Funaki's five interceptions against Boise State last night matched the single-game records shared by Brennan and Chang and contributed to a 27-7 loss at Bronco Stadium.

“;Definitely it's not a good feeling at all,”; Funaki said outside a somber Hawaii locker room. “;But what can you do, it's done and you have to look forward.”;

In contrast, Boise State freshman Kellen Moore, who entered the game sixth in the country in passing efficiency, continued to impress, finishing 25-for-33 for 256 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

The disparity in the quarterbacks' numbers reflected the difference in the game as Boise State enhanced its Western Athletic Conference title and BCS hopes by knocking off the defending league champions.

“;The one thing we know about Kellen is that he's smart,”; Boise State coach Chris Petersen said. “;If you give him a crack he's going to take advantage of it. He's been very smart with the ball down there. He's not going to turn it over. We have a lot of confidence that we can throw it in there because we know he's going to take care of the football for us.”;

Hawaii coach Greg McMackin said there isn't a quarterback controversy brewing. Funaki is expected to remain the starter heading into next week's home game against Nevada.

“;I thought Inoke did some great things in the first half and we were playing against one of the best defenses in the country,”; McMackin said.

Funaki had been efficient with the ball in the previous two weeks, but the turnover bug that plagued the Warriors earlier in the season bit them again.

Hawaii's last two wins were predicated on a 10-2 turnover margin. The balance shifted last night and the Warriors' fortunes went with it.

The Hawaii coaching staff had altered the offense to take advantage of Funaki's running ability and he rushed for 124 yards in wins over Fresno State and Louisiana Tech.

Petersen expressed concern over Funaki's speed and scrambling ability earlier in the week and the Broncos held him to a net of minus-9 yards.

Funaki's longest run was a 6-yard gain.

“;When things collapsed around me, I tried to find a way out,”; Funaki said, “;but I just felt like they did a good job of corralling me and keeping me in there.”;

Junior Greg Alexander finished the game, going 3-for-4 for 44 yards in his first action since starting the season opener at Florida.

“;Inoke was taking a lot of hits. It was a good time to get Greg some playing time,”; offensive coordinator Ron Lee said.

Four of Funaki's interceptions came in the second half, the last tying the record set by Chang against Rice in 2000 and matched by Brennan last year at Idaho.