Mauia gets his chance

With Nate Ilaoa carrying the rushing load for the nation's top offense this season, Hawaii running back Reagan Mauia has been content in his role punishing oncoming defenders in the back field.

But with Ilaoa nursing a sore ankle last night, Mauia stepped in to make his second start of the season and helped spark the Warriors with two touchdowns in Hawaii's 61-17 victory over Louisiana Tech at Aloha Stadium.

He carried the ball six times for 52 yards in the game.

"It feels real good that Coach trusts you with that opportunity," Mauia said. "And when the opportunity's given you have to take it and run."

Ilaoa, who led the nation's top scoring offense with 13 touchdowns entering the week, said the ankle had been bothering him but suited up for the game. But he didn't need to leave the sideline as the Warriors racked up 618 yards in total offense.

"I told Nate I was going to try to get through the game without him," UH coach June Jones said. "We'll need him healthy the final three weeks down the stretch. Reagan averaged (8.7) yards a carry and did an outstanding job."

"He's been doing a good job all year and tonight was his turn to go out there and play the whole game and he did very well," said Ilaoa, who added that he'll be ready to go this week against San Jose State.

Mauia, who is listed at 6-feet, 296 pounds, began his career as a defensive lineman and was converted to running back late last season.

He's primarily played as an extra blocker for quarterback Colt Brennan when he's stepped in for Ilaoa this season. He had carried the ball 21 times entering last night's game and was told yesterday afternoon that he would get the start.

"All week long I had been taking all the reps, and Coach hinted to me that I was going to play a lot," Mauia said.

After Louisiana Tech went out to a 3-0 lead early in the contest, Mauia capped the Warriors' first possession of the game with a 1-yard burst up the middle to put UH up 6-3.

It was his first trip to the end zone since scoring UH's first TD of the season on a shovel pass in the opener against Alabama.

"It's been a while since I smelled the end zone," Mauia said. "But it felt great and I thanked Coach when I came to the sideline. He was like, 'Don't worry, you'll get another one tonight.' "

Mauia did indeed score again on a punishing 3-yard run through the line to give UH a 54-10 lead in the third quarter.

"He does some unbelievable things out there and it's so fun to watch a guy that big running," Brennan said. "Everyone talks about Nate, but I think it's scarier to watch Reagan because he's that much bigger and still quick."

The senior also helped set up a field goal to end the first half that sent UH into the break leading 26-10.

The Warriors faced third and 20 after an apparent touchdown pass was wiped out due to a penalty. With just 11 seconds left, Jones called on Mauia, who took the handoff and rumbled 22 yards through a hole on the left side of the line and was brought down at the LaTech 7 with 3 seconds showing.

"When Colt came into the huddle he said, 'This is going to be a big play for us,' so I thought it was going to be a pass," Mauia said. "So when he called 'Tampa Left' I was like, 'no way.' I was juiced up, so I was ready for it.

"I came to the outside and I saw the receivers blocking and my right guard, John Estes, leading, so I just followed him."

Though he enjoyed his rare opportunity to carry the ball, Mauia still relishes his role protecting Brennan.

"Reagan's an unbelievable blocker," Brennan said. "The great thing is he's so physical after the second and third quarter, guys don't want to blitz any more."