Box Score

WAILUKU, Maui – Behind the arm of sophomore quarterback Timmy Chang, Hawaii rolled to a 30-12 season-opening victory over Montana, Saturday night in front of 12,863 at War Memorial Stadium. Chang passed for a career-high 438 yards on 31-of-54 passing and two touchdowns against the Division I-AA's second-ranked team.

Behind Chang, the Warrior offense gained 508 yards of total offense. Running back Thero Mitchell rushed for two touchdowns, including a five-yard plunge in the second quarter, in which he muscled through the entire Grizzly defensive line.

Montana running back Yohance Humphery, the school's career rushing leader, finished with 134 yards, his 13th career 100-yard game.

The Grizzlies held a 6-0 lead after the first quarter on a pair of Chris Snyder field goals. But Chang and the Warrior offense finally put it together. After gaining only 74 yards in the quarter, Hawaii cracked the endzone three times in the second frame.

Chang directed the Warriors to their first score after completing 9- and 27-yard passes to wideout Craig Stutzmann. Mitchell powered his way to his first touchdown giving the Warriors the lead. After the defense held, Chang again drove the Warriors down the field and found receiver Ashley Lelie on a 26-yard scoring play after. During the drive, Chang and Lelie hooked up for a 26-yard reception. Just before the end of the half, Chang and Warriors scored its final touchdown, a 2-yard Chang-Stutzmann pass play. In that drive, Chang and wideout Justin Colbert connected on a 51-yard bomb.

In the first half, Chang was 16-of-26 for 242 yards passing, while Lelie caught 6 receptions for 111 yards.

Both teams' offenses failed to generate anything in the third quarter. Montana turned the ball over twice while the Warriors fumbled and failed to convert on a fourth-down situation.

But early in the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies gave UH a break, muffing a punt return at its own 13 yard line. Hawaii had to settle for a Justin Ayat 22-yard field goal to increase its lead to 23-6.

On its ensuing possession, Montana drove the length of the field on a nine-play drive, culminating with a 13-yard Etu Molden touchdown reception. But the Warriors answered back and put the game away. Chang connected with Lelie on a 49-yard pass play and Mitchell finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown run.

The Warriors begin Western Athletic Conference play next week when they travel to Nevada, Sept. 15.