LIHU‘E — The Warriors’ offense picked up Saturday right where it left off last weekend, jumping out to an early lead against New Mexico State and cruising to a 24-6 win at Aloha Stadium. Wide receiver Greg Salas set a
LIHU‘E — The Warriors’ offense picked up Saturday right where it left off last weekend, jumping out to an early lead against New Mexico State and cruising to a 24-6 win at Aloha Stadium.
Wide receiver Greg Salas set a new school record with 16 catches in the game, tallying 196 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Running back Leon Wright-Jackson, who scored three touchdowns in last week’s 49-36 win over Utah State, got the Warriors (4-6, 2-5 in the Western Athletic Conference) out to a 7-0 lead by finding the end zone from three yards out, midway through the first quarter.
Wright-Jackson then scored for the fifth time in five quarters by crossing the gaol line on an 11-yard scamper with 3:39 to play in the first.
He had 72 total yards on the day (43 rushing, 29 receiving) and those two scores.
The Warriors continued to move the ball with ease for the rest of the first half, but only managed to add three points. They had scoring opportunities but were unable to convert.
Scott Enos missed a chip-shot field goal in the second quarter, leading coach Greg McMackin to go for a 4th down later in the period, seemingly lacking faith in his kicking game. The unsuccessful conversion in New Mexico State territory gave away another chance to add to the Warriors’ lead.
The Aggies (3-7, 1-4) got on the board late in the third quarter when Davon House picked off a Bryant Moniz pass and took it 58 yards to paydirt. The extra point was botched and the Hawai‘i lead was 11 points.
Yet the team did not allow an offensive touchdown.
“The defense played the best game they’ve played,” McMackin said. “I think what’s happening is our newer, younger players have realized how to play the game. That was evident on the defensive side of the ball today.”
Early in the final period, Moniz had to leave the field with an apparent rib injury. He would not return to action. His final numbers were 20 for 38 for 294 yards and one interception.
“Moniz played a good game but he bruised his rib, hopefully it’s not a crack,” McMackin said. “He just couldn’t play.”
Backup Shane Austin came in without having time to warm up. He immediately completed a pass to convert a 3rd and 2, then led the team down the field by making Salas his primary target.
Austin hit Salas with a 12-yard pass to increase the Warriors’ lead back to a 24-6 margin. The touchdown grab was Salas’ 15th catch of the game, which — for the moment — gave him a share of the school record with Davone Bess.
In his limited action, Austin was 8 of 11 for 72 yards and one touchdown.
The Warriors totaled 485 yards of offense, while giving up just 244 to the Aggies. They picked up 26 first downs to the Aggies’ 10.
UH will travel to the Mainland for the final time this season in next week’s WAC finale at San Jose State (Saturday, 3 p.m.).
That will be followed by home games against Navy and No. 20 Wisconsin. With those three games, the Warriors are still in a position to become bowl eligible if they can finish the season at 7-6.
