Box Score
DALLAS—Hawaii scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to overcome a two-touchdown deficit and pull out a 38-31 overtime win over SMU Saturday at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. With the win the Warriors snapped a five-game road losing streak and improved to 2-2 overall and 1-2 in the WAC.
The Warriors had the final word in a game filled with big plays. Nick Rolovich hit Tafiti Uso on a 6-yard scoring strike and the Warrior defense stopped the Mustangs on downs to secure the win in the extra period.
UH trailed 24-10 in the third quarter but rallied for three straight touchdowns to take a 31-24 lead. Thero Mitchell's 8-yard scoring run capped an 11-play, 70-yard drive, that gave UH its first lead of the game with just a 3:08 left in the game. The lead was short-lived though as Jonas Rutledge returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards to even the score.
The Warriors had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but Justin Ayat missed a 47-yard attempt with 17 seconds left.
UH overcame a lackluster first half in which the offense struggled. UH scored just once on six possessions—a 21-yard Ayat field goal set up by a botched SMU punt deep in its own territory. SMU led 17-3 at the break on the strength of two touchdown receptions by Chris Cunningham.
The Warriors, however, came out strong in the second half, producing a scoring drive on their first possession. Mitchell bounced off two SMU defenders for a tough 2-yard run that cut the Mustang lead to 17-10.
The Mustangs (0-4, 0-2) immediately responded as David Page found a streaking Johnnie Freeman for a 90-yard touchdown strike to retain the 14-point margin.
UH then went on a 21-point run. Rolovich threw his first touchdown of year by finding a wide-open Uso for a 45-yard touchdown. Keith Bhonapha then returned a botched SMU punt 38 yards to tie the score. Mithcell, who ended with a career-high 116 yards completed the rally with his fourth touchdown of the season.
Rolovich finished 31-of-52 for 325 yards and two touchdowns and picked up his first win in four starts. Ashley Lelie led the receiving corps with 10 catches for 121 yards. The UH defense meanwhile, recovered four fumbles, got an interception from Abraham Elimimian in his first start and sacked the quarterback three times.
UH next returns home to take on UTEP Saturday, Oct. 13. Kickoff is set for 6:05 p.m.
