Final Release

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Warrior football team wrapped up its second season under head coach Greg McMackin with a 6-7 overall record. The Warriors, who suffered through a six-game losing streak, finished the season strong and came within one victory of securing a fourth straight bowl berth.

 

The 2009 Warriors battled through a season plagued with injuries to key personnel. Four starters suffered season-ending injuries, beginning with projected middle linebacker Brashton Satele during fall camp. Four weeks into the season, starting quarterback Greg Alexander went down with a major knee injury and the Warriors were left to summon their third string signal caller. Prior to the injury, Alexander was the nation's leader in total offense (446.0), ranked second in passing average (411.3) and fifth in passing efficiency (178.8). He threw for more than 400 yards in consecutive games against Washington State and UNLV.

 

At the same time, starting right tackle Laupepa Letuli was injured during weight training and would miss the remaining 10 games of the season. During the Idaho game, wide receiver Rodney Bradley broke his leg and was lost for the season. Bradley was just becoming more accustomed to the offense and was a big play threat, ranking 13th nationally in receiving yards per game (103.4).

 

But through it all, the Warriors overcame adversity - and a 2-6 start - by winning four straight and needing to win their season-finale against Wisconsin for a Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl berth. During that losing streak, Hawai'i found a new quarterback in walk-on Bryant Moniz and several other players stepped up. The turning point of the season was at Nevada, a game in which the Warriors would eventually lose 31-21. The Wolf Pack were riding high, having won four straight after an 0-3 start, and the offense was clicking behind quarterback Colin Kaepernick. On the other hand, UH had lost five straight and were four touchdown underdogs.

 

The Warriors jumped out to a 14-0 lead and trailed by only one score late in the fourth quarter. Moniz passed for 374 yards and three touchdowns but his two interceptions - one in the Nevada end zone and another as UH was driving for the potential tying touchdown in the third quarter - kept the Warriors winless in five WAC games.

 

Despite the loss, the Warriors' ability to stay with the high-powered Wolf Pack to the final minutes of the game, gave them momentum for their stretch run. The win streak began with dominating victories over Utah State and New Mexico State in consecutive weeks at Aloha Stadium. During the NMSU game, slot receiver Greg Salas set the school's single-game reception record (16) but quarterback Moniz was banged up and forced to miss his next start at San Jose State.

 

Add to the mix, former UH head coach and current SJSU skipper Dick Tomey announced his retirement prior to the game. But behind Shane Austin, the Warriors jumped out to a 7-0 lead and at halftime, the score was tied at 7. A third quarter field goal gave UH a 10-7 lead before the Spartans tied it with a field goal of their own midway through the fourth quarter. The game went into overtime - after a late SJSU turnover - and the Warriors prevailed with a Leon Wright-Jackson touchdown run.

 

Next up was the triple-option attack of Navy, coached by former UH quarterback Ken Niumatololo. The Midshipmen entered the game with one of the nation's top rushing offenses and coming off a dramatic win at Notre Dame two weeks earlier. But the Warriors neutralized the Mids' run game and Moniz passed for 366 yards and three scores. With the score tied at 17 at halftime, Hawai'i's defense came up big in the second half, shutting out Navy, while Alex Green's 14-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter, proved to be the game-winner.

 

Much was at stake for the Warriors in the regular season finale against Big Ten power Wisconsin in front of a nationally televised audience. A win would secure a bowl berth while a loss would end the season. Badger running back John Clay and his big offensive line was too much for the Warriors as Wisconsin jumped out to a 21-0 lead. At halftime the score was 27-3 and before UH could score its first touchdown of the game, the deficit was 37-3. After all was said and done, UW left Aloha Stadium with a 51-10 victory.

 

The Warriors said aloha to 23 seniors following the game, who were a part of three bowl teams and two 11-plus win seasons. Salas, center John Estes and linebacker Blaze Soares were named to the all-WAC first team and Estes was one of six finalists for the Rimington Award, given to the nation's top center. In addition, Salas finished two catches shy of the school's single-season record and UH finished third nationally in passing offense for the 10th time in the last 11 years.