Ulbrich making plays

Now for that 'other' streak
NFL Islanders

Hawaii middle linebacker Jeff Ulbrich continues to make his presence felt on the football field.

The senior transfer from San Jose State finished with a game-high 17 tackles, including two quarterback sacks and two hurries. He now has a conference-high 43 tackles and three sacks.

"This defense gives me the opportunity to make plays," Ulbrich said. "Because they were using maximum protect, our normal blitzing package wasn't working. So we went back to our standard 4-3 and it allowed me to make a couple of big sacks that got the crowd into the game. It was as loud out there as I've ever heard it."

Defensive coordinator Greg McMackin made adjustments at the half that allowed Hawaii hold Boise State to only 70 yards after intermission.

"Jeff was a key to that," McMackin said. "The guys is an emotional leader who can make plays in this defense."

Shovel this

Avion Weaver has patiently waited for a chance to prove he's a difference-maker in Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense. And he finally proved it on the next-to-last play of the third quarter.

The Rainbows' fullback scooted into the flat just beyond the defensive end to catch a shovel pass from quarterback Dan Robinson. He turned it up field - thanks in part to a clearing block by tackle Adrian Klemm - and turned a third-and-15 play into a 29-yard gain.

That play from the 10 proved to be the key one in an 83-yard scoring drive that gave Hawaii the lead for good, 20-19.

"If he doesn't make that play go, we're punting from our end zone," said Robinson, who ended the drive with a fourth-down sneak from the 1. "It changed the complexion of the game."

Weaver finished with 38 yards rushing on 11 carries and scored the first TD of his collegiate career on a 4-yard run midway through the third quarter.

"It was a long time coming," said Weaver. "I was just glad I could finally make some contributions to help us win."

Injury update

Hawaii defensive end Joe Correia not only has a broken hand, but may now have a serious knee injury as well.

Jones said the junior hurt it in the first quarter, but was able to go back in and play fairly well the rest of the way.

"The problem is it's pretty swollen and sore right now," Jones said. "We'll have to see what happens."

Correia switched sides of the field so he could put his broken hand down on the three-point stance and it made all the difference. He was able to grab with his right hand and play well enough to finish with six tackles, including a quarterback sack.

"That move really helped me, because on the right side, I couldn't grab very well with my broken (left) hand," Correia said.

Free safety Nate Jackson returned after missing two games with a knee injury. He finished with eight tackles and had one pass breakup. Safety Daniel Ho-Ching was held out of the lineup with a shoulder injury and will not likely play again until after the bye in mid-October. Slotback Davey deLaura is questionable with a hamstring pull.

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By Paul Arnett