BOISE, Idaho — Despite throwing a school-record tying five interceptions in the 27-7 loss to No. 15 Boise State last night, quarterback Inoke Funaki is expected to remain the starter for next Saturday's game, coaches said.

UH hosts Nevada at Aloha Stadium.

"It wasn't just him (Funaki)," said offensive coordinator Ron Lee. "It was a bunch of things."

"I didn't do a good enough job getting the guys ready," Lee said. "They (Boise State) did a good job defending us. They took away the run and we kind of got one dimensional."

Boise State held UH to the fewest points by a Warriors' team since a 69-3 loss in a 2004 visit to Bronco Stadium with a defense that has held three consecutive opponents (UH, Southern Mississippi and Louisiana Tech ) each to 7 points or less.

Lee said, "It was a combination of things, really. We were not where we were supposed to be, we dropped balls."

Funaki completed 17 of 34 passes for 188 yards without a touchdown and was sacked five times. Three of the interceptions helped set up Boise State's 17 second-half points.

"It wasn't a happy feeling at all," Funaki said.

The five interceptions matched those of Tim Chang against Rice in 2000 and Colt Brennan against Idaho last year.

"If you can pressure the quarterback at anytime and just get in his head and just get him rattled, wondering where you are instead of worrying about down the field, it is going to help," said Broncos' defensive tackle Mike T. Williams. "So, obviously, five (interceptions), that's great."

Junior Greg Alexander replaced Funaki with 3 minutes, 9 seconds left in the game.

"We're going to look at the tape (of the game) together and then we're going to have to be smarter how we prepare," Lee said.

2 MAKE SEASON DEBUT

Two seniors, defensive back Francis Maka and defensive back and special teams performer Guyton Galdeira, made their first appearances of the season. Both played for UH last season and were roster additions this month. Maka was cleared by the NCAA to play, and Galdeira returned after the job he had held was closed down by the economy. Both had remained enrolled in school. Offensive lineman Laupepa Letuli made his first start since the season opener at Florida Aug. 30, coming back from a shoulder injury.

MAKING THE HIT

Linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane forced a fumble, his second in as many weeks.

BRONCO HAWAI'I TIE

Honolulu businesssman Carlton Ching, a Kaimuki High graduate and former Bronco, was honored at the coin flip before the game. Ching was an offensive lineman (1973-74) on teams that won back-to-back Big Sky Conference titles and got to the NCAA Division II semifinals.