JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Fresno State's Richard Marshall deflected a pass in the end zone intended for Hawaii's Ross Dickerson in the first half of yesterday's game at Aloha Stadium.

FSU foils Hawaii

Hawaii puts itself in position to win, but can't seal the deal against Fresno State

Hawaii got most of the breaks, but its offense hit the brakes short of the goal line.

Opportunities abounded for the Warriors yesterday, but their offense screeched to a halt in the red zone too many times and No. 22 Fresno State came away with a 27-13 victory at Aloha Stadium.

The Bulldogs' first win here in six tries dating back to 1994 was marked by big plays by the Fresno State offense and a lack of execution by the Hawaii attack, despite being presented with the football and field position by the defense throughout the game.

Fresno State improved to 6-1 and 4-0 in the Western Athletic Conference. UH fell to 3-5 and 3-3 in the league. The Warriors must win their remaining four games to qualify for a fourth consecutive bowl game.

Special teams also failed UH again, as it suffered a blocked field goal and a roughing-the-kicker call on a punt-block attempt.

"It's frustrating because we're just a young team learning how to win," UH coach June Jones said. "In a couple of years, or maybe next year, we'll learn to win these type of games. It's just not making the plays. I thought our defense actually did well enough for us to win. We had our chances offensively."

Hawaii amassed 456 yards against the WAC's top-rated defense (compared to 445 for FSU), but could get into the Bulldogs' end zone only once.

"Once we got down in the red zone we struggled and we couldn't capitalize and that's the reason we lost the game," UH quarterback Colt Brennan said. "We had chance after chance after chance to capitalize and we couldn't do it. It just eats away inside of you, it's so frustrating."

A season-low gathering of 23,157 saw the sun-splashed matinee, which had been moved to a 1 p.m. kickoff because it was telecast by ABC.

Those who tuned in or showed up were treated to spectacular individual performances by Warriors slotback Davone Bess and cornerback Turmarian Moreland and Bulldogs running back Wendell Mathis and defensive lineman Garrett McIntyre. Bess caught a school-record 14 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown, and Moreland intercepted two passes. Mathis rushed 19 times for 229 yards and three touchdowns, and McIntyre led the FSU defense with three sacks and the field-goal block.

RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM Fresno State's Emanuel Sanchez pulled down Hawaii's David Farmer for one of his six solo tackles yesterday.

McIntyre caught Brennan for a 5-yard loss on first down. Then Brennan threw an incomplete pass in the end zone intended for Jordan Slye. On third down, Nate Ilaoa rushed 3 yards to the 6.

The drive -- and UH's chances to win -- ended on the next play, when safety Tyrone Culver tipped away a pass intended for Bess beyond the goal line. A penalty flag was thrown, as Bess was apparently either held or interfered with. But the flag was waved off, with the explanation that the tip negated pass interference.

"They got beat and they did what any good team does when they get beat, they tackled the guy," Brennan said.

Said Bess: "If he hadn't held me, it would've been a touchdown.

The Bulldogs took over on downs, and iced it when Mathis broke loose for a 78-yard TD run with 1:59 left.

Hawaii's defense had Mathis under wraps until his 49-yard run set up his own 3-yard score that gave Fresno State a 14-3 lead in the second quarter.

"The way we were playing, if something hits the safety, our safety has to stop a 7-yard gain. He ran over us, shook off the last defender," defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville said.

"We can't let this loss affect our play for the upcoming games," Bess said. "It's real frustrating when it's in our reach but we just can't haul it in. So we've just got to continue to maintain our composure and stay focused."

While the officials may have impacted UH's last shot at tying the game, the Warriors had many other chances to grab control.

UH came up empty on its first two possessions, despite driving to the Fresno State 15- and 37-yard lines. The Warriors lined up for a field goal on fourth and 1 on the opening drive, but holder Kurt Milne threw an incomplete pass.

"I probably could've run it, but I don't know if I would've made it," Milne said. "I had a guy right in front of me."

When the Warriors finally did score, it was when their third drive stalled at the Bulldogs' 17, and Dan Kelly hit a 34-yard field goal. The Bulldogs had just scored on a 58-yard pass from Paul Pinegar to Jermaine Jamison and led 7-3.

With time running down in the second quarter, UH defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis stripped the ball from Pinegar and recovered the fumble at the Fresno State 35. UH got to the FSU 13 and set up for a field goal, but McIntyre blocked Kelly's 27-yard attempt.

"We had a little miscommunication between the three of us, the holder (Milne), snapper (Jake Ingram) and I," Kelly said. "I failed to get height on it. I have to work on height."

Moreland's first interception gave UH the ball at the FSU 24 early in the third quarter. The offense could not generate a first down, and UH settled for Kelly's 39-yard field goal and a 14-13 deficit.

Lono Manners sacked Pinegar for a 5-yard loss on third down on the next series, and the Bulldogs were forced to punt. Dane Porlas roughed punter Mike Lingua, giving FSU the ball back. Mathis scored from 3 yards out 10 plays later, and the Bulldogs led 20-13 after Kenny Patton blocked the PAT.

"I thought I was there, but I had a bad angle," Porlas said of the attempted punt block.

Glanville took responsibility for the call.

"Throw the dart at me. Get in line," he said. "I thought we could checkmate 'em."

Moreland gave UH the ball back with 10:50 left, but the Warriors were forced to punt after driving from their 17 to their 49.

"There were so many things in this game that hurt," Moreland said.