Five big plays from Hawaii’s 36-17 victory over Weber State

Chosen and described by the Star-Bulletin’s Dave Reardon

1. What a catch

The Setup: Hawaii 7, Weber State 3, around 13:00 remaining, second quarter, Weber State ball, second and 18 at Weber State 27

The Play: WR Tim Toone gets a step on CB Calvin Roberts on a fly route, and QB Cameron Higgins makes a pretty throw, which Toone catches over his shoulder. The 40-yard gain stands after video review determines the ball did not hit the ground before Toone's falling catch.

The Impact: The Impact: Higgins completes two more impressive passes on the drive, and RB Trevyn Smith gives Weber State the lead with a 1-yard touchdown run.

Higgins: "We were catching them off guard, mixing it up, five wide, four wide, a lot of play-action here and there."

2. Big turnover

The Setup: Weber State 10, Hawaii 7, 9:38 remaining, second quarter, Hawaii ball, third and 3 at Hawaii 22

The Play: QB Inoke Funaki is swarmed by Weber State defenders, including DE Caldwell Taylor who knocks the ball out of Funaki's hands. After a brief battle between RT Keoni Steinhoff and NT Bryce Scanlon, Taylor picks up the loose ball. After review, the play stands as a fumble and Weber State takes over at the Hawaii 3.

The Impact: On the next play, Higgins hits Smith for a 3-yard touchdown pass, and a stunned Aloha Stadium crowd sees Weber State expand its lead to 17-7..

Hawaii linebacker Solomon Elimimian: "We made a lot of mistakes in the first half."

3. Welcome back, Tyler

The Setup: Weber State 17, Hawaii 7, around 14:52 remaining, third quarter, Hawaii ball, first and 10 at Hawaii 12

The Play: QB Tyler Graunke - who missed much of the offseason due to off-field issues - enters the game replacing Funaki. He immediately completes an 11-yard pass to WR Malcolm Lane.

The Impact: An emotional lift spreads through the entire Hawaii team - as well as the stadium - and Graunke leads Hawaii down the field, hitting Lane for a 42-yard touchdown pass. It was the first of four unanswered touchdowns for Hawaii.

Graunke: "It was an awesome feeling just hearing the crowd roar when I stepped onto the field."

4. First pick

The Setup: Weber State 17, Hawaii 14, 7:12 remaining, third quarter, Weber State ball, third and 6 at Weber State 18

The Play: Higgins' sideline pass is tipped up by Roberts and then gathered in by FS Keao Monteilh for the Hawaii defense's first forced turnover of the season.

The Impact: Hawaii takes over at the Weber State 35. Graunke immediately finds SB Mike Washington for 18 yards and RB Kealoha Pilares covers the remaining 20 yards in the next two plays to give Hawaii the lead.

Weber State coach Ron McBride: "Sooner or later with their offense, if you don't move the ball they're going to score points on you."

5. Off the shoulder

The Setup: Hawaii 21, Weber State 17, 4:57 remaining, third quarter, Hawaii ball, second and 10 at Hawaii 21.

The Play: The back of the football grazes Graunke's shoulder as he cocks his arm to pass, and the ball slips out of his hand. It is ruled a fumble, but after review the replay official calls it an incomplete pass.

The Impact: A pass interference penalty on the next play and a 41-yard pass from Graunke to WR Greg Salas set up Graunke's 8-yard touchdown pass to SB Aaron Bain. Hawaii leads 29-17 after a 2-point conversion, and Weber State never recovers. Graunke finished 13-for-20 for 218 yards and three TD passes in one half.

Graunke: "Everybody's heads were down. I was thinking, 'Screw this. We gotta blow this team out.' "