StarBulletin.com

San Jose State beats Hawaii


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POSTED: Sunday, September 28, 2008

This time, it was San Jose State celebrating a dramatic comeback on the road. Hawaii lost its grip on the ball and slipped up in its Western Athletic Conference opener as San Jose State rallied for a 20-17 win over the Warriors last night at Aloha Stadium. Hawaii (1-3), which led 17-7 at halftime, committed five turnovers in the second half, and the Spartans (3-2) scored 13 unanswered points to avenge an overtime loss to the Warriors last year in San Jose. The last of the turnovers, an interception by Duke Ihenacho off Tyler Graunke, set up Jared Strubeck’s game-winning 47-yard field goal with 1:47 left. Inoke Funaki got the start at quarterback for the Warriors and was effective early as he completed 16 of 27 passes for 173 yards. But he threw three interceptions and lost a fumble. Graunke took over with 9:28 left after Funaki’s third interception led to a game-tying field goal. But he couldn’t lead the Warriors back. San Jose State stunned the Warriors on their opening possession when running back Brandon Rutley took the direct snap and lateraled to quarterback Kyle Reed, who then connected deep downfield with David Richmond for a 77-yard touchdown. But the Warriors defense forced the Spartans into five straight punts, allowing only four first downs in the first half. Hawaii took the lead on two touchdown runs by Kealoha Pilares, a 34-yarder in the first quarter and a 1-yard plunge in the second. A Dan Kelly field goal with 8 seconds left in the half sent Hawaii into the locker room with a 17-7 lead. The Warriors turned the ball over on three straight possessions and the Spartans tied the game on a 10-yard touchdown pass and Strubeck’s 50-yard field goal with 9:32 left in the game. Reed, the nation’s most accurate passer entering the night, went 14-for-28 for 152 yards and two TDs.