Warrior Replay

Five big plays from UH's 49-30 win at New Mexico State

1. Tampa right

The Setup: Hawaii 0, New Mexico State 0; 10:44 remaining, first quarter; Hawaii ball, first and goal at New Mexico State 4.

The Play: Nate Ilaoa takes a handoff, follows the blockers and sidesteps the defense at the line of scrimmage. He scores his team-leading eighth touchdown of the season and Hawaii grabs the early lead.

The Impact: Although the game is billed as a battle of pure passers, Ilaoa's running ability is the X factor for the Hawaii attack. He finishes with 94 yards on the ground and 41 more on two passes.

Ilaoa: "Tampa right, our bread-and-butter (running play). I was just able to get outside and make the play. It's great when you've got 11 guys who are just so focused on getting the ball into the end zone."

2. Hot route

The Setup: Hawaii 7, New Mexico State 0; around 6:30 remaining, first quarter; Hawaii ball, first and goal at New Mexico State 34.

The Play: New Mexico State comes with a blitz. Hawaii receiver Ross Dickerson reads it and breaks off his route as a safety valve and quarterback Colt Brennan dumps it off to him. Dickerson slips out of a tackle and goes 34 yards for his first of two touchdowns on the night and Brennan's first of five scoring passes.

The Impact: Brennan's eighth consecutive completion to start the game gives Hawaii a 14-0 lead and serves notice it will be a long evening for New Mexico State's defense.

Brennan: "It's great when you're a quarterback and throw a 5-yard pass and Ross goes and gets you a 40-yard touchdown."

3. Surprise

The Setup: Hawaii 14, New Mexico State 7; 0:35 remaining, second quarter; New Mexico State kicking off from own 35.

The Play: After a 3-yard touchdown run by Chris Nwoko gets New Mexico State on the board, Aggies kicker Matt Pratt taps the ball toward a hole in the Warriors' front line and recovers it himself at the New Mexico State 48.

The Impact: Two plays later Chase Holbrook passes to Chris Williams, who makes a beautiful fake to complete a 27-yard touchdown play and tie the game at 14.

Hawaii linebacker Adam Leonard: "The first half was tough with them scoring two back to back with that onside kick. But we knew it was going to be a dogfight and we just had to fight longer than them."

4. Whistle blower

The Setup: Hawaii 21, New Mexico State 17; 5:15 remaining, second quarter; Hawaii ball, second and 2 at New Mexico State 17.

The Play: A pass from Brennan goes off the hands of Davone Bess and into those of New Mexico State safety Derrick Richardson at the New Mexico State 10. But Hawaii gets the ball back because of an inadvertent whistle blown by umpire Mike Rhoades.

The Impact: Instead of taking the ball with a chance for a go-ahead score, New Mexico State allows a 9-yard touchdown pass from Brennan to Ian Sample four plays later and Hawaii leads 28-17.

New Mexico State coach Hal Mumme: "It's unfortunate, but that's not what cost us the game. We got beaten by a better team."

5. Scoop and score

The Setup: Hawaii 35, New Mexico State 24; 11:30 remaining, fourth quarter; New Mexico State ball, third and 9 at New Mexico State 21.

The Play: Holbrook is flushed from the pocket, and DE Mel Purcell crashes down on him, stripping the ball. LB Adam Leonard picks it up at the NMSU 20 and scores his first touchdown since he was a tight end in high school.

The Impact: This makes it a three-score difference with 11:11 left and a dazed Holbrook is knocked out of the game. He returns five plays into the next drive, but UH nose tackle Kahai LaCount recovers a bad snap and Brennan hits Dickerson for a 36-yard touchdown.

Hawaii defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville: "Oh no, we don't ever practice falling on it. ... I haven't graded the film, but that may have been (Leonard's) best game. I think he's a little bit special."