Game Night: Warriors vs. Aztecs

Hawaii receiver Jason-Matthew Sharsh hauled in a pass against San Diego State. / Photo by Victor M. Posadas, Special to the Star-Advertiser

Hawaii stops San Diego’s two-point attempt in OT to win, 31-30

Hawaii took a 31-24 lead in overtime on Cole McDonald’s 10-yard pass to JoJo Ward.

* * * * *

John Baron II misses a 32-yard field goal as time expired to force overtime.

* * * * *

Backup QB Ryan Agnew tosses a 13-yard scoring pass to fullback Isaac Lessard to tie it at 24 with 6:07 to play.

* * * * *

One of the league’s best kickers — SDSU’s John Baron II — connects from 53 yards. UH still leads 24-17 with 10:29 left in the third quarter.

* * * * *

Thanks to Cole McDonald, the Warriors take a 24-14 lead into the intermission.

McDonald, who grew up an hour north of San Diego, was 20 of 26 for 326 yards and two touchdowns in the first half He also scored on a 1-yard keeper. His first-half QB rating was 207.6.

UH’s defense has made two fourth-down stops.

* * * * *

Cole McDonald is seizing the night.

In the first half, he is 19 of 24 for 320 yards and two touchdowns. He also has scored on a 1-yard keeper.

* * * * *

Cole McDonald takes control, throwing passes of 37 yards to Cedric Byrd and 45 yards to JoJo Ward to set up his 1-yard keeper for touchdown and a 17-14 lead with 5:11 left in the first half.

* * * * *

On fourth-and-inches from UH 4, there’s confusion within SDSU’s offense, leaving quarterback Christian Chapman. UH’s Penei Pavihi tackles Chapman for no gain. UH takes over with 8:36 left in the first half.


* * * * *

Hawaii closes to 14-10 on Cole McDonald’s 2-yard scoring pass to Elijah Dale witih 14:52 left in the first half.

The play was set up on a pass interference call against SDSU.

* * * * *

Aztecs forced a fumble on a punt return, gaining possession on the UH 5 and leading to another one-play TD drive. Aztecs lead 14-3 with 5:20 left in the first quarter.

* * * * *

Aztecs take 12 seconds to take 7-3 lead on Christian Chapman’s 76-yard TD pass to Fred Trevillion.

* * * * *

Two surprises to start the game: UH wins the coin toss, then elects to defer.

And then John Ursua starts at “quarterback,” aligning as the wildcat. Cole McDonald then comes in and leads an 80-yard drive that ends with Ryan Meskell’s 22-yard field goal.

* * * * *

Fans and family of the Warriors turned out for tonight’s tailgate. / Photo by Stephen Tsai

It’s a beautiful night in Mission Valley, where the Warriors and Aztecs meet.

First, relax. Unless ESPN decides to become a non-profit, the Warriors will be playing in the Dec. 22 Hawaii Bowl.

Here’s the skinny on the Aztecs:

> The Aztecs are 17 1/2-point favorites despite only one double-digit victory this season — 28-14 over FCS member Sacramento State.

> Christian Chapman, who will start tonight, is the winningest Aztec QB (24-9 when he starts).


> Linebacker Kyhava Tezino is a consideration for Mountain West defensive player of the year.

> If it’s close late, John Baron II will get the call. He’s kicked three game-winning field goals this season.

COMMENTS

  1. islandman November 24, 2018 4:52 pm

    1st or 2nd


  2. islandman November 24, 2018 4:53 pm

    One internet site says 18 pt favorites


  3. w November 24, 2018 4:54 pm

    Go, ‘Bows!

    Whoo-hoo!!!


  4. islandman November 24, 2018 4:55 pm

    Can UH move the ball and score vs. the Aztecs and can UH stop the Aztec offense?


  5. Stephen Tsai November 24, 2018 5:08 pm

    We’re all rooting for a fast game. It’s an outdoor press box.


  6. Stephen Tsai November 24, 2018 5:17 pm

    SDSU introduced the senior members of the band.
    Pretty cool move.


  7. islandman November 24, 2018 5:19 pm

    Is it cold there ? On TV, they showed the Washington vs WSU game and it was snowing.


  8. Stephen Tsai November 24, 2018 5:22 pm

    It’s 61 degrees in balmy San Diego


  9. islandman November 24, 2018 5:22 pm

    Is it the San Diego St band ?
    A UH band was playing at the Wahine basketball game today. Did they come back from Fullerton ?


  10. Rodney November 24, 2018 5:43 pm

    Please no onside kick


  11. H-Man November 24, 2018 5:45 pm

    Well, Cole takes a sack in the red zone. A real no-no. Then his pass was off in the end zone. What’s changed?


  12. cappie the dog November 24, 2018 5:46 pm

    Holding my breath.

    No onside kick this time.


  13. cappie the dog November 24, 2018 5:49 pm

    I’d rather see a big play than a long-sustained drive.

    Hope that was a fluke.


  14. Rodney November 24, 2018 5:56 pm

    blitz


  15. Buffoman November 24, 2018 6:00 pm

    Oh, well. Looks pretty bad.


  16. Rodney November 24, 2018 6:01 pm

    I’m certain that return was set for left…..
    Arrggggghhhh
    Let’s go bows
    Let’s up tempo it!!!!!


  17. Rodney November 24, 2018 6:07 pm

    Please no RPO
    Run a switch route


  18. Rodney November 24, 2018 6:26 pm

    Thank you Aztecs Offense
    Terrible call and executi


  19. Rodney November 24, 2018 6:27 pm

    Let’s go bows
    Up tempo
    Use the screen pass


  20. Boolakanaka November 24, 2018 6:30 pm

    That was a straight dime Cole dropped…


  21. Rodney November 24, 2018 6:30 pm

    Roll out


  22. Boolakanaka November 24, 2018 6:32 pm

    Helluva a drive…


  23. Rodney November 24, 2018 6:35 pm

    Yes sir


  24. Buffoman November 24, 2018 6:37 pm

    Heck of a drive. Need to keep the effort. Special effort.


  25. oneseason November 24, 2018 6:37 pm

    I am thankful for Hawaii on the road playing competitively on national TV.


  26. Rodney November 24, 2018 6:41 pm

    Compete!!!


  27. Rodney November 24, 2018 6:42 pm

    Up tempo


  28. Rodney November 24, 2018 6:43 pm

    Cover3


  29. Boolakanaka November 24, 2018 6:44 pm

    Another beautiful dime


  30. Boolakanaka November 24, 2018 6:48 pm

    Another strike ….damn Ole McDonald had a farm!


  31. H-Man November 24, 2018 6:51 pm

    Cole drilled it to Byrd. TD!!! Wow That was a a great read-pass.


  32. cappie the dog November 24, 2018 6:51 pm

    Holy crap!

    Was McDonald playing with an undisclosed injury?


  33. cappie the dog November 24, 2018 6:52 pm

    I can’t believe the Aztecs punted.


  34. cappie the dog November 24, 2018 6:58 pm

    This is June Jones stuff.

    I thought Hawaii would take a knee.


  35. clyde November 24, 2018 7:15 pm

    Wow! Who’d have thunk it? Game turned when SDSU messed up on 4th-and-1, then UH recycled it into the 95-yard drive. Nice to see Cole back in a groove, thanks to solid OL play. And defense has carried over from the UNLV game, giving up only that one deep throw (after which Farris moved over to cover #7). I’m guessing Chapman’s night is over so let’s see if that makes any difference. Bring it home, guys!


  36. Boolakanaka November 24, 2018 7:17 pm

    And Blessman is having a blessed night…


  37. Buffoman November 24, 2018 7:35 pm

    Is there a momentum shift? Two three and outs. Need a stop.


  38. Buffoman November 24, 2018 8:24 pm

    Okay, can we get the offense going? Play to win.


  39. seewhy November 24, 2018 8:31 pm

    Put in Chevan already!! This is sickening…


  40. oneseason November 24, 2018 8:45 pm

    Well, could be worse. OT it is. Let’s go Bows! Nice to hear the UH band too,


  41. cappie the dog November 24, 2018 8:46 pm

    Boise State’s Kyle Brotzman versus Nevada 2010.


  42. Buffoman November 24, 2018 8:47 pm

    Dodged a bullet. Let’s show up in over time.


  43. cappie the dog November 24, 2018 8:52 pm

    Bad camerawork.

    No can tell.


  44. wafan November 24, 2018 9:03 pm

    Yahoooooooo!


  45. cappie the dog November 24, 2018 9:07 pm

    Hawaii won because the Northern Arizona men’s basketball coach was named Jack Murphy.


  46. Boolakanaka November 24, 2018 9:09 pm

    Hmmmn, so Cole throws for a tad south of 500 yards, 3 TDs, no interceptions and some doofus fans want to replace him? Like the old saw goes,with friends like these who needs enemies….oh, btw, seewhy, we just got our 8th win of the season and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cole as the conference player of the week.


  47. Warrior Dave November 24, 2018 9:13 pm

    What an awesome win!!!


  48. H-Man November 24, 2018 9:14 pm

    Yahoo, Warriors win !!! I just have to thank the Aztec’s coaching staff for calling a pass for the 2-pt when their running game was so effective. Luck was on the side of the Warriors tonight, especially when they committed so many stupid mistakes. But a win is a win. 8-5, who would have thought


  49. clyde November 24, 2018 9:20 pm

    The best FG kicker in the conference misses a chip shot, the refs fail to see the ball slip through Armstrong-Brown’s arms, the Aztecs forgo a run-pass option and throw a fade for the win … destiny? Or, maybe bachi on the SDSU AD for lobbying for the Hawaii Bowl? Sweet win over a conference rival that has had UH’s number.


  50. oneseason November 24, 2018 9:20 pm

    Congrats to the Rainbow Warriors. Interesting choice by the SDSU coach to go for two in first overtime. Kicking the extra point would have been both conservative and a nice nod to his very reliable kicker.


  51. Da Punchbowl Kid November 24, 2018 9:23 pm

    As good as it gets!!! Yay Warriors!!!

    Aloha Bowl!!!


  52. NotNasti November 24, 2018 9:31 pm

    Just bought 4 tix to Hawaii Bowl 50 yd. line. Get yours! We go!!!

    ST, that helmet will be a hot item now.


  53. NotNasti November 24, 2018 9:33 pm

    We got lucky. But hey, sometimes you gotta get lucky.


  54. clyde November 24, 2018 9:52 pm

    Trivia question: Which football team finished with the fourth-best record in the Mountain West Conference? Winner gets to treat Stephen to lunch.


  55. Savich November 24, 2018 10:05 pm

    I was at the Koko Marina theaters watching the game on big screen cinema. We stayed all the way until the 0 seceonds left of OT play, when San Diego state missed the 2 points extra point conversion.


  56. winning November 24, 2018 10:16 pm

    Yes Cole did exceptionally well 1st half but went back to his choke self in the 2nd. Not consistent and missed too many easy throws, Backup at best, a good one tho but not prime time. Play calling was way better this game, impressed. I may even go to the bowl game, the last one when June Jones beat Oregon State and Dennis Erickson.


  57. Warzone November 24, 2018 10:49 pm

    Complaining about who should play don’t matter…. a Win is a win either way UH is going to a bowl… Go Warrior’s!!


  58. Savich November 24, 2018 11:37 pm

    San Diego State felt they could win. 00:03 seconds in final regulation and the kicker misses the 3 points conversion at 24-24 tie.


  59. Whats up November 25, 2018 2:00 am

    Post SDSU Game Thoughts…

    Khoury Bethley is a Warrior… this true freshman has been impressive on defense this season.

    JoJo Ward has proven again why he is a member of the Hawaii Fantastic Four wide receiver quartet.

    It was a tale of 2 halves:

    Cole McDonald started blazing hot in the first half with 19 of 24, 326 yards passing and 2 TD passes-1 rushing TD. When SDSU rushed 6 dropped 5 in coverage and Cole carved them up for big plays.

    Cole McDonald 2nd half play was not as hot, with 7 of 16, 101 yards passing and 0 TD passes-0 rushing TD. SDSU made defensive adjustments dropping 7-8 in coverage late in the 3rd quarter and 4th quarter. Plenty of 3 and outs with a drive killing turnover, a couple of sacks kept Hawaii 0 points in the second half.

    SDSU changed QB’s late in the 2nd half and they moved the ball to tie the game and had potential game winning FG that was missed.

    Hawaii defensive overall tackling, secondary and run stopping has improved in the UNLV and SDSU games. Hoping for more improvement with the additional Hawaii Bowl practices.

    Great win by the road Warriors in Overtime!

    Live Aloha/Play Warrior

    Go Warriors of Hawaii


  60. wafan November 25, 2018 4:13 am

    The ‘Bows are back in town . . .

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGZqDzb__bw


  61. cappie the dog November 25, 2018 4:43 am

    BYU isn’t really Hawaii’s arch-enemy anymore; that’s so Generation X(so Cameron Crowe’s “Singles”), but according to Jerry Palm of CBSSports.com, the Cougars are projected to be one of four teams without a destination for their fans to spend money at.

    A lot of teams played easy non-conference schedules. And their conference affiliations with the bowls squeezes out the independents.

    A whopping 82 teams are bowl-eligible, but there are only 78 slots to fill.

    Palm’s list: Army, Brigham Young, Louisiana-Monroe, and Wyoming.

    BYU needs to start their own bowl game just like Hawaii did after the 2001 season.

    Utah Bowl.

    Wyoming in 1996, just like Army, won ten games.

    No Bohl for the Cowboys.

    John Baron was 5-5 from 50 yards out. I think it was a classless move on the SDSU coach to call him out by going for the two-point conversion. It’s a vote of no confidence. By not extending the game, he denied his kicker a chance to redeem himself. Baron isn’t Justin Ayat, who missed eight extra points in 2003(and six in 2004), but both he and Baron have strong legs who are less consistent from shorter distances. Baron is 9-12 from 30-39 and 1-3 from 40-49. Ayat connected from 56 and 55 yards respectively in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Not many kickers who miss eighteen career extra points make it into a NFL camp. No, probably just him. I think it was the Dallas.

    I hope a lot of mainland(and local) recruits caught last night’s game. Hawaii had the unfortunate luck of competing unexpectedly with a SEC game that would never end.

    Cole McDonald has mental toughness. You have to feel happy for him.


  62. cappie the dog November 25, 2018 4:50 am

    60.

    Yeah!

    A Thin Lizzy reference.

    “Guess who just got back today/Them wild-eyed boys that had been away”

    Thin Lizzy is one of those bands who will get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twenty years from now because they’re going to look good by default, competing with all these millennial acts.

    Justin Bieber or Thin Lizzy?

    Adam Ant or One Direction?


  63. Stephen Tsai November 25, 2018 5:40 am

    New post: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=47636


Comments are closed.