wound up with more penalties (10) than first downs (eight) and were unable to prevail despite forcing four turnovers (three fumbles and an interception), blocking a kick and holding the Broncos (12-1) to a loss on downs.

"It was one of them nights. They played better than us tonight," said senior cornerback Lamar Chapman. "We missed a lot of opportunities that we could have capitalized on."

Utah's offense managed just 200 yards as senior quarterback Terrance Cain, starting in place of the inured Jordan Wynn, was just 10-of-24 passing for 93 yards. He was sacked four times and several receivers dropped passes.

Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, by comparison, was named the game's Most Valuable Player. The Heisman Trophy finalist was 28-of-38 for 339 yards and two touchdowns. The Broncos convertedon third down eight times. Utah did so just twice.

"When you play a team the caliber of Boise State you've got to be much better than we were tonight," Whittingham said. "And that's the bottom line."

Trailing 3-0 after fielding a punt in the second quarter, Boise State needed just one play to take the lead. An 84-yard touchdown run by Doug Martin, the longest in Las Vegas Bowl history, put the Broncos on top with 8:39 remaining in the half.

Whittingham said the play kind of broke his team's back. Utah's coaching staff mulled over a fake punt beforehand but opted not to because the defense was playing well.

The score, which was followed by a PAT from Kyle Brotzman, came after five ineffective drives by Boise State.

It also ushered