1. Quick strike

The Setup: Hawaii 0, New Mexico State 0, 14:26 remaining, first quarter, New Mexico State ball, second and 14 at New Mexico State 16
The Play: QB Chase Holbrook fakes a handoff up the middle and then a reverse before throwing long to WR Chris Williams. Williams, behind CB Jameel Dowling and S Keao Monteilh, catches the ball in stride and completes an 84-yard touchdown on the game's second play from scrimmage.
The Impact: New Mexico State strikes first in what looks to be a shootout. Holbrook finishes the game with 394 passing yards and four touchdowns, and Williams catches seven passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns.
UH coach Greg McMackin: “;We gave up some big plays early. It was a real character test. They're explosive, especially Williams. I'm proud of the way our guys came back.”;

2. Closing the deal

The Setup: New Mexico State 7, Hawaii 0, 9:47 remaining first quarter, Hawaii ball, third and 13 at New Mexico State 17
The Play: QB Greg Alexander finds SB Aaron Bain on a crossing pattern. Bain makes the catch at the 6, shakes off a tackle and scores his third TD of the season.
The Impact: Hawaii scores on its first drive despite slowing down in the red zone with penalties—and zero points in three similar situations the week prior at Utah State. Alexander completes 26 of 32 for 288 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushes for a score and a 2-point conversion.
Alexander: “;One of our goals was to come out to a quick start offensively. After they scored that first touchdown it was good to come right back down and respond, I think that gave us a lot of confidence.”;

3. Clutch conversion

The Setup: New Mexico State 14, Hawaii 7, 5:10 remaining, first quarter, Hawaii ball, third and 10 at New Mexico State 42
The Play: Alexander completes a pass to WR Greg Salas and Hawaii gains 25 yards and a key first down.
The Impact: This sustains a drive that ends three plays later with RB Daniel Libre's 4-yard touchdown run to tie the game. Hawaii goes on to convert nine of 12 on third down in its most productive offensive effort of the season.
McMackin: “;The offense kept us in the game. They've been sort of feeding off the defense and special teams. Now all of a sudden I thought the offense changed the whole momentum of the ballgame.”;

4. Macho Libre

The Setup: Hawaii 14, New Mexico State 14, 2:00 remaining, first quarter, Hawaii ball, first and 10 at Hawaii 36
The Play: Libre takes the ball on a draw play, eludes blitzers and slices through the New Mexico State secondary for 48 yards.
The Impact: Hawaii's longest rushing play of the season sets up Alexander's 1-yard touchdown run for its first lead of the game. Libre finishes with a team season-high 88 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.
Libre: “;My screensaver on my computer is that picture of me fumbling (last week at Utah State). I've been thinking about it and trying to focus on not coughing it up like that again and making plays out there to get a W.”;

5. Back where he belongs

The Setup: Hawaii 21, New Mexico State 14, 8:33 remaining, second quarter, New Mexico State ball, first and 10 at Hawaii 20.
The Play: Holbrook's low pass deflects off the hands of WR A.J. Harris and CB Ryan Mouton intercepts it at the Hawaii 9. Mouton runs down the right sideline and scores despite nearly being knocked out of the bounds at the 8.
The Impact: Mouton, who played mostly on offense the previous two games, takes momentum back with his second touchdown of 2008, this one for 91 yards. He scored earlier in the season on a kickoff return.
New Mexico State coach Hal Mumme: “;That play swung the momentum to Hawaii. It was a 10- or 14-point swing.”;