Live football blog: Hawaii at Nevada
RENO >> Hawaii dominated every phase in a 54-3 clobbering of Nevada tonight at Mackay Stadium.
The Warriors entered 1-8 in games played here. But Cole McDonald completed 83.3 percent of his passes with four TD and third-string quarterback Justin Uahinui finished the drubbing with the first scoring pass of his UH career.
The Warriors also scored nine points on special teams. Andrew Choi’s block of a punt led to Justice Augafa’s scoop and score. A long snap sailed over the Nevada punter for a safety.
The Warriors are 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the Mountain West.
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The Warriors make it 54-3 as third-string quarterback Justin Uahinui fires a 14-yard pass to Robert Funkhouser with 3:42 to play.
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Worse came to worst for the Wolf Pack.
The long snap sails over punter Quinton Conaway for a safety. Hawaii extends lead to 47-3 with 9:20 to go.
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Cole McDonald’s fourth TD pass of the game — and third to Cedric Byrd — pushes Hawaii’s lead to 45-3 with 2:57 to play in the third quarter.
McDonald set up the TD when he slipped the football to Miles Reed for a 15-yard gain. Then, McDonald faked the handoff to Reed, and fired to Byrd, who was open on a post route.
McDonald is now 23 of 28 for 309 yards.
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The Warriors exited the intermission without missing a beat, forcing a three-and-out and then going 63 yards in five plays for a touchdown. Cole McDonald’s third scoring pass, this time to Jason-Matthew Sharsh, makes it 38-3 with 11:03 left in the third quarter.
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Ryan Meskell converts a field goal from 44 yards to extend UH’s lead to 31-3 with two seconds left in the first half.
Meskell is 5-for-5 in field goals kicked on fields at least 4,000 feet above sea level.
The drive was extended when the Warriors went into victory formation and appeared ready to take a knee. Instead, Cedric Byrd went around end for 29 yards.
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Nevada finally gets on the scoreboard on Brandon Tolton’s 36-yard field goal with 36 seconds left in the half.
Tolton, a true freshman, is 10-for-10 this season.
Hawaii still leads, 28-3.
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Miles “Bam Bam” Reed goes nine yards up the gut on a draw to extend Hawaii’s lead to 28-0 with 5:33 left in the first half.
The drive was preceded when Kalen Hicks broke up Nevada’s fourth-down pass at midfield.
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Andrew Choi blocks a punt, and Justice Augafa scores on the scoop-and-dash for a 21-0 lead.
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On a tandem play, right wideout JoJo Ward cuts inside, freeing Cedric Byrd to break free on the right outside to grab a 2-yard scoring pass from Cole McDonald. The Warriors now lead 14-0 with 10:40 left in the first half.
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Cole McDonald connects with Cedric Byrd on a 36-yard scoring pass to give the Warriors a 7-0 lead with 8:17 left in the first quarter.
McDonald is 4-for-4 for 62 yards and a touchdown.
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It’s snowing in Reno as Warriors begin second possession.
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True freshman Kaimana “Bubba” Wa‘a is expected to start at right guard for the Warriors.
True freshmen are not an unusual occurrence for the Warriors. Last year, Solo Vaipulu and Ilm Manning started as true freshmen.
Wa‘a’ uncle is former Kahuku High and Oregon State star Jeremy Perry.
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It promises to be chilly night when Hawaii and Nevada face off at Mackay Stadium.
The Rainbow Warriors have won here only once in nine meetings, with the lone victory coming on Dan “Ice Man” Kelly’s field goal in 2007.
The keys to the game:
> Can the Warriors’ passing attack succeed in what promises to be cold — and maybe wet — conditions? Earlier in the day, there were snow flurries.
> Can the Wolf Pack’s running game play well with a two-back rotation? Jaxson Kincaide has decided to redshirt with the intent of transferring. He will enter his name in the transfer portal. Nevada already has scratched his bio from the team roster. Toa Taua, the Pack’s leading rusher, has been hampered by a thigh bruise this season.
> Will the Warriors get a boost with the return of defensive lineman Samiuela Akoteu, linebacker Jeremiah Pritchard and safety Ikem Okeke.
https://twitter.com/FerdLewis/status/1178120563325161472
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Go Bows!
When you watch videos of the UH defense I think Batoon needs to do a little better job of evening out the DL rotational pieces. Having Akoteu back should make this more doable. When Hune is paired with Taala the run defense is pretty solid, even with the “spotty” LB play. With Vega and Se’ei the run defense is way more vulnerable. Sometimes Hune is with paired with Se’ei and sometimes Matthews rotates in the interior but Taala is the key. Hopefully Akoteu can provide the same kind of stability there so there will not be such a dropoff. Plus the LB’s not doing so good either (tackling) but that’s a whole different problem all together. Fix the rotations so they are more evenly distributed (Batoon plays everybody, weird but awesome) and figure out the LB rotation too. Will set up Padello (and an aggressive Scott as well) for pass disruption and an (probably Kaneshiro) interception will come. You can se the big picture (at least a little bit). Batoon. He’s rising. I believe it. CAN can do.
Temp is actually rising to 40 from 35. No rain in forecast. Let’s do this thing and get after them! GoWarriors!!!!
Maddog:
There was a guy in line who said he played for UH in 1975-76. Didn’t catch his name.
Sacckabooya:
LBs have been thinned because of injuries. But I do like how they keep finding guys to plug in. Pritchard’s return is a big deal.
Stephen
It really is a big deal. I’m excited to see how he effects the run stopping physicality wise. Will answer a lot of questions going forward, especially with how Taua killed us last year (Rolo’s worse game managing wise, that and 2018 Utah St game, learning process). I’m hoping we see the 2017 Pritchard. Just don’t punch anyone.
Bubba Wa’a starting tonight per Curran and Veneri. Weird but awesome. Try it out. Get Sunia ready, he got the butterflies out last week.
It’s raining. I want to change my prediction.
Wow, the stands are packed! 😂
Im liking the patience…
Cheee…
No Padello disruption on second obvious passing down. Incompletion.
Stephen might know him.
Rain is supposed to stop
Our Oline is dominating their dline….
This series needs Taala. Important. They need to force 3rd and long.
Awesome. You could see it coming from last week. Matter of time.
Special teams son!
Disruption unit with Taala right now. Can get more aggressive on first and second down. Lets see what ensues.
Let’s see the foot to throat for remainder of game!!!!!
Double Cooks make someone else beat you.
That’s how!!
Pass should set up run.
Our Oline is impressive tonight…so is Cole.
OK. This is where we need to apply focus. This is where it went sideways last week. Taala needs to be in. Padello too. Nevada will be in desperation (CAU wasn’t last week). Apply pressure and double Cooks. Everybody else kinda sucks aside from Taua.
Lets see the LB’s make plays. Mautautia good so far today. Gotta hold them to FG here.
draw play big hole nice call coach.
Shake that interference off. This is what UH needs to work on. Red zone toughness.
The Boomerooski-
Taala is the key. Hard to believe its that simple but Taala is the key. Not McDonald. Not Byrd, Ward, Smart or even Victor. Not Padello or Pritchard or the loss of Pavihi. Its Taala. 100% (maybe 65 to 85% actually). Hes not even that good yet (just very important). He will be incredible soon. INCREDIBLE. Awesome.
Foot to throat till you hear that crack! WAy to early to count this. Offense needs two more scores(TD). Won relax till we cross 45 points.
Awesome call on the fake kneel down!!!
What a great half of Hawaii style football.
Now we will find out what kind of team we have.
Can they create a great second half to match the first half?
I think with the offense being what it is Taala and Padello is really the key to the season, especially in the MW. they have to stop the run firstly. Then they have to pressure the QB so the coverage can prosper (interceptions will come when there is trust in the pass rush later) and the rest will be “light work”. They can do it. You can see it. Awesome.
Good for Sarsh. Lots of doubters on him but he has a specific skill that is undeniable. Nice piece when used correctly.
Heck of a shoe-top catch by Sharsh.
Complete game so far offense, defense and special teams!
Now lets see Matthews with Hune and unleash one blitzer. Double Cooks and intercept the ball.
Mautautia is the blitzer today.
Desperate. Interception.
Go long to Ward. TD. Then backups
Chris Ault announces that he’s coming out of retirement.
Playing Ward deep (maybe 10 yard cushion) so Sarsh and Byrd open. Depth time coming.
I was off today so lots of posts this game. Lots of beer and pork chops too. Sorry. At least UH winning today.
Terrible series. Gotta insist for better.
I’ve never seen a Nevada team this bad and I’ve been around since Dave Holmes.
Pinch me, I’m dreaming!
Let Chevan pass. Let Kelililiki pass block. And lets see what got receiver wise.
Gov in the house!
Awesome. Not hard to believe though. Could have happened to Arizona and CAU. Learning process. Prepare mentally for Boise. Can Do.
Congratulations to Coach Rolo, the team and the coaching staff for a convincing win. Dominating offense, defense, and special teams. The sky’s the limit for this team when they win the turnover margin.
With the past great RnS QBs (Rolo, Timmy, Colt, Moniz) there was a point where things “clicked” and the QB and receivers could feel the defense. It seems like the RnS started clicking for Cole last week. This week he was going through his progressions, making the right reads, looking off the safety and making the right throw. Coles’ best game of his career – so far!
His best game in terms of maturation 100%.Take what they give you. Don’t force. “Light work”.
Should have killed Nevada like this last year. Learning Process.
Boise will respect us and play textbook. I think they will win but they will respect the game film. That is a big step in Phase II. Respect from top teams. Big picture is coming into focus. Awesome.
Let’s see how Las Vegas sets the betting line next week. Install something new to mess them up and work on talking whole off week. Gonna get some respect from the bully.
Not talking, tackling.
The greatest beat down I have experienced as a Hawai’i fan in I don’t know how long. No performance is perfect but this was as close as it can get.
An ambulance as a drink truck.
I am sure that—at some point during the many English classes I took (and the system DOES make you take a bunch, don’t they?) from K-university—there was SOME kind of rule at least hinted at regarding violation of overlapping irony.
One BIG positive is that I don’t think UH lost anyone to injury. Great win, complete win.
Complete game, Warriors played smart football… coaches did a outstanding job!!
Bye Week then Boise State is next… Lets keep it up Warriors!
Go Warriors!
Great job players and coaches!!!
I missed the game; I’m so mad… I am glad for McDonald to have a great game. Keep padding those stats. Would love to see him get drafted to NFL.
Saw this coming-I figured 2 to three scores if we showed up to play. Nevada will be lucky to win two more games in current condition. We have at least 3 opponents on the schedule that for sure are very much like Nevada-never get to high or to low but feeling real good is ok! Speaking of OK how bout Okeke, Pritchard and the great boost from Akoteau! Samuela was huge in his return!!!!!
And you thought perfect games were restricted to baseball? That was as complete a performance by a UH team in what seems like forever. Game balls to the offense, defense and special teams. It was nice to see the team sustain its domination to the final whistle. Kudos to the players and coaches, and the fans who were crazy enough to sit through bone-chilling weather. Now rest up, and heal up, cuz Boise is a whole ‘nother level.
surprise – surprise – surprise!!
kudos to coaching staff for instilling such energy, electricity, confidence in the players!!!
and, kudos to each player — its been a long time we have seen such a spirited performance by the entire team!!!
and, best for me, I have another CHOI to cheer for!!! ANDREW! ANDREW!!! ANDREW!!!!! imho, he should have been awarded the ” game ball ” for blocking that punt that led to a TD — true freshman – 1st blocked punt in how many years???
a great win, great trip back home, days off to rest in this ‘bye’ week and start preparation for Boise
keep this up and UH could go 12 – 1; maybe another New Years Day bowl game – never been to the Fiesta Bowl — saimin or rice and veggies for dinner the rest of the year to scrap up enough $$$ for a 2nd major bowl game — my stated preference, again, is the Fiesta Bowl against UCF — fill the stadium with people from HAWAII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lets take one game at a time right now but YES, save up some money everybody because Phase III UH will be Mainland Bowl, maybe even on New Years Day. Coming soon. Don’t eat too much Spam though. Soon, real soon.
How bout filling Stadium next home game-
The return of Akoteu balances out the DL rotation real nice. Whole DL unit kept LB’s pretty clean whole game. Nevada had three long runs but it was all on the same drive vs what looked like a 2nd unit. Pritchard was pretty physical whole game. Mautautia filled gaps aggressively as well. Padello disrupted (kind of quietly, not totally noticeable) from the edges but the pressure was a total team effort. DL “slipped” their blocks often. Hicks was terrific. Back end coverage was good (two coverage sacks), Laulu caused a fumble, Kahahawai-Welch looked real quick (gotta get a little stronger) and you can see Okeke is at his best when he defends “side to side” (as opposed to “downhill”). Very solid defensive performance last night.
Yes Maddog is right. Before we fill a Mainland Bowl stadium we (Matlin) should try to fill ours. I suggest all children under 12 $5 each. We need to fill the Stadium with energy. Kids always bring it.
It wasn’t that long ago when we got 41K for Abilene Christian. There needs to be more effective marketing.
What I love about this team is every week, a different receiver had a big game. First it was Byrd, then Ward, then Smart and now Sharsh.
Opposing coaches going to have to pick their poison cause we have so much firepower at the receiver position that somebody will always be open.
A lot of us wanted Stovall to play because of his speed and his ability to break big runs but in this game, Sharsh, IMHO, have solidified his starting spot. Stovall , Victor, Philps could spell the starters but I think this quartet of Byrd, Ward, Smart and Sharsh are there for the duration of the season.
3 spots will open up for next season so those reserves are going to have to bide their time
I think that if Washington had not has its delay problems and had taken care of California I believe UH could have played a closer game over there. Would have still lost probably (38-28 maybe?) but that day the Huskies had “laser focus” and exposed UH’s deficiencies (physicality vs run; passing efficiency vs 7-8 deep). Rolovich/Batoon seemed to have addressed these issues and looks like the players are starting to realize (buy in?) their potential as a “Team”. Different now. I think because of that game (at Washington) and lessons learned vs Central Arkansas (witnessing the trust and courage displayed by overmatched CAU and embracing their own self reflection of their character to “Play Warrior) this team has matured. The “sky’s the limit” for sure. Stay focused and “Play Warrior”. The big picture is much clearer. Awesome.
There are certain demographics in which no amount of marketing will help. Sea change. I just appreciate being part of an online community who still cares about Hawaii athletics.
PPV. Plain and simple. More Bettah just bring some Kau kau or beer to your friend’s for watch the game.
What a win !!! Totally unanticipated. All phases of the game were clicking at max horsepower. Kudos to the coaches for finely tuning the engine. Great job players and coaches.
Fortunately Kids not in that demographic… It is nice to be in the company of UH fanatics.
🏈🔴🔺🔻🔴🔻🔺BREAKING NEWS per KITV:
Flight carrying UH football team diverted due to mechanical problems
https://www.kitv.com/story/41115430/flight-carrying-uh-football-team-diverted-due-to-mechanical-problems
For you deep football fans 3 victories by the almighty Broncos have been against Portland State, a mediocre Marshal team and Air Force who beat the daylights out of their quarterback but pulled out the win. While we heal up and prepare they take on the mighty UNLV Rebels who just got crushed by Wyoming. Gonna do my homework for this one-I will go on record right now and say we have more than a chance-
Wasn’t able to watch the game but listening to BC is….confusing. Not sure if he knows he’s on radio and all the listeners aren’t watching the game. He sounded like a tv announcer.
Ok, that off my chest……
Nice game, time to focus on Boise. Broncos are going to be a real toughie. Weather might be a factor since Boise might just be the worst location of the country…according a family member.
ST…you ok?
AZWARRIOR: Abilene Christian was more than a little while ago, it was 39 years ago. Times have changed.
SteveM . . .
Us 52 and Dem guys 21.
75
Don’t forget that Boise beat Florida State at Florida State. Seminoles are having a down year but beating them on the road is still impressive
I agree with Mad, Nevada talent is very poor-our oline were beating them up and their dbs were bad — Boise is on another level – but we will be up for the challenge.
Nobody likes to go to the stadium because no mo parking !! 20-25 yrs ago I had to park in the L&L Drive inn parking lot at Aiea shopping center after eating there to keep the waitress happy-and got an employee pass. In addition, the whole UH team gets an A + ! Also, QB Mcdono for the first time, did some fakes which he never used to do before. Play like that at Boise then they have a shot.
77
not to mention we are still recovering from 4 years of the darkest times in UH football history
Platooning defense by UH works well for them, they dont necessarily have to rely on 3-4 guys to hold up the whole game. They look a lot fresher than years past.
For those who missed the TV broadcast, on demand streaming of the game is available on the ESPN app. (I watched the whole thing again this morning.)
Unfortunately, you can only download it onto an iPad. Does not seem to be a version for DOS computers.
You lost a whole generation of young kids who may have stayed up at 10:30 to watch the same-day delayed telecast.
If if if… all I know if you can get several thousand for women’s volleyball on campus, that tells you all you need to know—get an on campus venue.
For the three home games this year, the parking lot has not filled up. Not just the inner reserved stalls, but the Halawa lot as well. I’m tired of the excuses that people use to justify not going to the games. These excuses did not exist for Bruno Mars and LA Rams.
Well said Nasti-
Next home game, have a Bruno Mars lookalike contest—100 winners win a $50 Jack in Box or MacDonald’s gift card (courtesy of them 🙂
New post: https://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=51318