StarBulletin.com

Bowl bid within Warriors' grasp


By

POSTED: Sunday, November 29, 2009

On military night, it was fitting that Hawaii's postseason aspirations rested on its defense.

With 5:41 showing on the clock, the Warriors took the field with a seven-point lead, 84 yards and their bowl hopes to protect.

The pressure ticked up as Navy quarterback Ricky Dobbs chewed up yardage and the clock in driving the Midshipmen into Hawaii territory.

But after Navy reached the Hawaii 39, the Warriors would give no more ground.

               

     

 

NEXT: WISCONSIN (8-3) AT HAWAII (6-6)

        » When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday
       

» TV: ESPN2

       

» Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM

       

 

       

Linebackers R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane and Blaze Soares sacked Dobbs on the final two plays of the game to punctuate a pulsating 24-17 win last night at Aloha Stadium as a crowd of 36,834 erupted.

“;I knew I got the sack and I just blacked out,”; Soares said of the last of his game-high 12 tackles. “;The game's on the line and you make a big play and the adrenaline's rushing and everything goes silent, but you see everybody just raging.”;

Hawaii's fourth consecutive win capped a perfect November and evened the Warriors' record at 6-6, setting up an all-or-nothing season finale against Wisconsin on Saturday.

Knock off the Badgers and the Warriors—who entered the month at 2-6 and with several starters out for the season—can make plans for the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. A loss ends the season on senior night.

“;I'm jacked up already, I'm not going to get any sleep tonight,”; Hawaii head coach Greg McMackin said.

“;In December, we have something to play for. Looking at our season, losing Greg Alexander, losing Brashton (Satele), losing Rodney (Bradley), and we have a chance to play for something. These guys have fought their tails off.”;

Hawaii's win spoiled Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo's return to Aloha Stadium, as the Midshipmen, who have already secured a spot in the Texas Bowl, were shut out in the second half and fell to 8-4.

“;Give Hawaii credit. It was a great game, a great battle,”; said Niumatalolo, a Radford graduate and former UH quarterback and assistant coach. “;Most of our games are like this. Hawaii just made enough plays.”;

Current UH quarterback Bryant Moniz made the plays he needed most in throwing for 366 yards and three touchdowns after a week's absence due to a rib injury.

After a shaky start, the Warriors got rolling when Moniz stepped up in the pocket to complete back-to-back passes to Greg Salas covering 66 yards. He then hit Kealoha Pilares on a streak down the left side for a 24-yard touchdown to open the scoring.

“;Timing was a little off, so we just had to get in the groove of things,”; Moniz said.

With Navy playing soft zone, Moniz connected with Salas 10 times for 147 yards and hit Pilares for eight completions covering 102 yards and two scores.

“;Coach Ron (Lee) was telling us it was going to be a catch-and-get-upfield kind of a game because they have big holes in their zones,”; Salas said. “;They were playing old-school zone defense and we knew we could be successful.”;

Navy countered with its spread option powered by Dobbs, who rushed for 127 yards, 53 coming on a touchdown run on a midline option on the final play of the first quarter.

The Midshipmen took their lone lead of the game on fullback Vince Murray's 18-yard blast up the middle at the 1:07 mark of the second quarter.

UH's Jovonte Taylor responded with a 55-yard kickoff return to set the Warriors up at the Navy 44 with 57 seconds left in the half. Completing passes to the sidelines and scrambling up the middle for a 10-yard gain, Moniz moved the Warriors to the Navy 7 and hit Pilares on a post for the tying touchdown with 6 seconds left.

The Warriors defense then shut out the Midshipmen in the second half, holding them to 117 yards in total offense.

“;It's just trust in one another,”; Soares said of defending the option. “;Certain people had to take the dive, other people had to take the quarterback and the pitch man. We trusted in one another to do that. We were very responsible. It cracked here and there, but overall everybody just did their job.”;

Hawaii had just three possessions in the second half. The second was a nine-play, 82-yard march that ended with running back Alex Green taking a swing pass and bulling into the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown.

It appeared the Warriors were on their way to a game-clinching score when they stalled at the Navy 16, bringing up fourth and inches. Green was stuffed for no gain, giving Navy the ball.

“;I believed in two things,”; McMackin said. “;I believed in our offense that they could get that and I believed our defense was playing well against their offense so I thought we could get after them.”;

Navy took over with 5:41 left and Dobbs gradually moved the Midshipmen upfield by ground and air, completing a 14-yard pass on third and 11 to maintain the drive. But cornerback Jeramy Bryant dropped Marcus Curry for a 2-yard loss and defensive end Fetaiagogo Fonoti wrapped up Dobbs for a 1-yard gain.

With Navy now forced to throw, Kiesel-Kauhane and Soares ended it by chasing Dobbs down twice more. Much to the delight of the largest crowd of the year and their teammates.

“;I was yelling so loud I'm surprised I didn't lose my voice,”; Moniz said. “;It's something I'll remember forever. The crowd was so loud. I hope to hear that sound next week.”;

 

HAWAII 24, NAVY 17

At Aloha Stadium

                                                                                                                                           
Navy7100017
Hawaii7107024

                                                                                                       

     

     

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

       

       

       

     

     

       

     

     

       

     

 

First Quarter
UH1:20Kealoha Pilares 24 pass from Bryant Moniz (Scott Enos kick)0-7
Navy0:00Ricky Dobbs 53 run (Joe Buckley kick)7-7

 

       

Second Quarter
UH8:52FG Enos 347-10
Navy5:03FG Buckley 2810-10
Navy1:07Vince Murray 18 run (Buckley kick)17-10
UH0:06Pilares 7 pass from Moniz (Enos kick)

17-17
       

 

       

Third Quarter
UH0:37Alex Green 14 pass from Moniz (Enos kick)

17-24
       

 

       

Fourth Quarter
None

Attendance —36,834. Time: 2:46.
Officials Referee: Bill Athan; Umpire: Chad Bowers; Back judge: Jim Settle; Field judge: Chris Jamison; Scorer: Dara Young.

 

TEAM STATISTICS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
 NAVYHAWAII
FIRST DOWNS1621
Rushing136
Passing315
Penalty00
NET YARDS RUSHING24862
Rushing4817
Average per rush5.23.6
Rushing touchdowns20
Yards gained rushing27798
Yards lost rushing2936
NET YARDS PASSING88366
Completions-Attempts-Int5-9-032-46-0
Average per attempt9.88.0
Average per completion17.611.4
Passing touchdowns03
TOTAL OFFENSIVE YARDS336428
Total offensive plays5763
Average gain per play5.96.8
Fumbles: Number-Lost2-03-1
Penalties: Number-Yards1-153-25
PUNTS-YARDS6-2584-166
Average yards per punt43.041.5
Net yards per punt37.234.5
Inside 2022
50-plus yards10
Touchbacks11
Fair catch10
KICKOFF-YARDS4-2665-306
Average yards per kickff66.561.2
Net yards per kickoff36.844.2
Touchbacks00
Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD1-8-04-15-0
Average per return8.03.8
Kickoff returns: Number-Yards-TD5-85-04-119-0
Average per return17.029.8
Interceptions: Number-Yards-TD0-0-00-0-0
Fumbles returns: Number-Yards-TD0-0-00-0-0
Miscellaneous yards00
Possession time31:1028:50
First Quarter9:535:07
Second Quarter6:528:08
Third Quarter5:229:38
Fourth Quarter9:035:57
Third-down conversions4 of 135 of 11
Fourth-down conversions1 of 20 of 1
Red-zone scores-chances2-23-4
Sacks by: Number-Yards2-212-19
PAT kicks2-23-3
Field goals1-11-1

 

INDIVIDUAL DEFENSIVE STATISTICS

TACKLES FOR LOSS-YARDS Navy, Jabaree Tuani 1-15, Craig Schaefer 1-6. Hawaii, R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane 2-13, Blaze Soares 1-9, Jeramy Bryant 1-2, Mana Silva 1-1.

SACKS-YARDS Navy, Jabaree Tuani 1-15, Craig Schaefer 1-6. Hawaii, R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane 1-10, Blaze Soares 1-9.

INTERCEPTIONS Navy, None. Hawaii, None.

KICKS BLOCKED Navy, None. Hawaii, None.

QUARTERBACK HURRIES Navy, None. Hawaii, R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane, Richard Torres.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
NAVY
 TACKLES
PLAYERSOLOASTT
Ross Pospisil718
Ram Vela707
Craig Schaefer606
Kevin Edwards505
Blake Carter505
Jabaree Tuani303
Billy Yarborough202
Jordan Stephens202
Tony Haberer202
Kwesi Mitchell202
David Wright101
Tra'ves Bush101
Bo Snelson101
Matt Nechak101
Michael Walsh101
Wyatt Middleton101
Aaron Santiago101
Tyler Simmons101
Clint Sovie011
HAWAII
 TACKLES
PLAYERSOLOASTT
Blaze Soares11112
R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane8210
Mana Silva707
Fetaiagogo Fonoti527
Richard Torres314
Tuika Tufaga134
Lametrius Davis213
Mike Wadsworth202
Geordon Hanohano202
Elliott Purcell112
Corey Paredes112
Spencer Smith101
Vaughn Meatoga101
Jeramy Bryant101
Po'okela Ahmad101
Inoke Funaki101
Rocky Savaiigaea101
Liko Satele011

 

INDIVIDUAL OFFENSIVE STATISTICS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
NAVY
RUSHINGNO.GAINLOSSNETTDLGAVG.
Ricky Dobbs25146191271535.1
Vince Murray10880881328.8
Gee Gee Greene5303270165.4
Marcus Curry71275080.7
Alexander Teich1101011.0
Totals48 277 29 248 2 53 5.2
PASSINGCOMP.-ATT.-INT.YDS. TDLGSACK
Ricky Dobbs5-9-088 0412
Totals5-9-088 0412
RECEIVINGNO.GAINTDLG
Bobby Doyle260041
Nick Henderson114014
Cory Finnerty1707
Greg Jones1707
Totals5 88 0 41
PUNTINGNO.YDS.AVG.LGIn20TB
Kyle Delahooke625843.05221
Totals625843.05221
ALL RETURNSPUNTSKICKOFFSINTERCEPT
 No.Yds.LgNo.Yds.LgNo.Yds.Lg
John Angelo188000000
Bo Snelson00012727000
Billy Yarborough00011010000
Gee Gee Greene00034821000
Totals1 8 8 5 85 27 0 0 0
ALL PURPOSERUSHRCVKRPRTOTAL
Ricky Dobbs127000127
Vince Murray8800088
Gee Gee Greene27048075
Bobby Doyle0600060
Bo Snelson0027027
Nick Henderson0140014
Billy Yarborough0010010
John Angelo00088
Greg Jones07007
Cory Finnerty07007
Marcus Curry50005
Alexander Teich10001
Totals248 88 85 8 429
HAWAII
RUSHINGNO.GAINLOSSNETTDLGAVG.
Leon Wright-Jackson5470470219.4
Chizzy Dimude11701701717.0
Alex Green613013072.2
Bryant Moniz52136-15011-3.0
Totals17 98 36 62 0 21 3.6
PASSINGCOMP.-ATT.-INT.YDS. TDLGSACK
Bryant Moniz32-44-0366 3352
TEAM0-2-00 000
Totals32-46-0 366  3 35 2
RECEIVINGNO.GAINTDLG
Greg Salas10147035
Kealoha Pilares8102225
Jovonte Taylor444014
Jon Medeiros42508
Alex Green327114
Royce Pollard21508
Chizzy Dimude1606
Totals32 366 3 35
PUNTINGNO.YDS.AVG.LGIn20TB
Alex Dunnachie416641.54721
Totals4 166 41.5 47 2 1
ALL RETURNSPUNTSKICKOFFSINTERCEPT
 No.Yds.LgNo.Yds.LgNo.Yds.Lg
Jovonte Taylor000411955000
Ryan Henry41516000000
Totals4 15 16 4 119 55 0 0 0
ALL PURPOSERUSHRCVKRPRTOTAL
Jovonte Taylor0441190163
Greg Salas014700147
Kealoha Pilares010200102
Leon Wright-Jackson4700047
Alex Green13270040
Jon Medeiros0250025
Chizzy Dimude1760023
Ryan Henry0001515
Royce Pollard0150015
Bryant Moniz-15000-15
Totals62 366 119 15 562

 

WAC FOOTBALL STANDINGS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
 ConferenceOverall
 WLPFPAWLPFPA
Boise State70300155120478214
Nevada7138319784487326
Fresno State6225722074359282
Idaho4426030475382426
Hawaii3516624166286332
Utah State3523226648349408
Louisiana Tech2520418338295289
San Jose State169222629145359
New Mexico State167221739142422

Friday
Boise State 44, Nevada 33
Yesterday
Utah State 52, Idaho 49
Hawaii 24, Navy 17
San Jose State 13, NMSU 10
next Saturday
Fresno St. at Illinois, 7:30 a.m.
San Jose at LaTech, 9 a.m.
NMSU at Boise State, 10 a.m.
Wisconsin at Hawaii, 6:30 p.m.