|
Sports Notebook
Star-Bulletin staff
|
WARRIORS FOOTBALL
Key video review goes Hawaii's way
Hawaii appeared to get a major break when what was initially determined to be a lost fumble was ruled an incomplete pass after video review.
With 4:57 left in the third quarter and UH leading 21-17, Tyler Graunke prepared to pass on second and 10 from his 21. He lost control of the ball when the back of it grazed his shoulder as he cocked his arm to pass.
After the review, instead of Wildcats ball in the Warriors red zone, UH drove for its third touchdown of the third quarter. The 79-yard drive was also aided by a pass interference call against Weber State, which immediately followed the overturned fumble.
2 big injuries hurt Wildcats' offense
Two important cogs in the Weber State offense left the game with injuries.
Wide receiver and kick-return specialist Bryant Eteuati didn't play in the second half after injuring his ankle, and running back Trevyn Smith was limited to two carries after halftime due to cramps.
Rego makes case for more carries
Junior running back Jayson Rego might have made a case for more playing time.
He took all but one of his nine handoffs as the game wound to a close in the fourth quarter, and despite Weber State knowing exactly where the ball was going as the Warriors chewed up clock, Rego still managed a game-high 54 yards. He hadn't taken a handoff in a game before this season.
"It felt really good, I'm thankful the coaches gave me the opportunity," the Kamehameha graduate said. He paused. "It felt real good," he repeated, and grinned.
Warriors nab first takeaway of year
After giving the ball away seven times in the season's first six quarters, Hawaii nabbed its first turnover in the third quarter of last night's game.
The honor went to Keao Monteilh with some help from cornerback Calvin Roberts.
With Hawaii trailing 17-14, Roberts tipped a Cameron Higgins pass into the air and Monteilh snagged it, tapping his toes to the turf just before going out of bounds. The interception led to the go-ahead score.
Reserve cornerback Jeramy Bryant added another pick in the closing seconds.
Laeli leaves game with ankle injury
Hawaii defensive tackle Fale Laeli had to be helped from the field in the second quarter after suffering an ankle injury. The senior did not return to the game.
Big night in middle for UH's Satele
Middle linebacker Brashton Satele led Hawaii with eight tackles, including a sack for 16 yards and another half-tackle for loss.
Satele was moved into the starting lineup in fall camp when starting outside linebacker Blaze Soares was injured, pushing WAC preseason Defensive Player of the Year Solomon Elimimian to the flank.
Satele led a defense that allowed minus-20 rushing yards by Weber State. This number was vastly aided by three botched punt snaps, but is still impressive.
"Coach just tells us to do our jobs and all week we were just prepping for that," Satele said.
