Box Score

HOUSTON, TX - Hawaii (8-2, 7-1 WAC) gained an uncharacteristic 160 yards on the ground and added 369 through the air to defeat Rice, 33-28, and secure a second place Western Athletic Conference finish Saturday at Rice Stadium. Undefeated Boise State needs to win at Nevada next week to clinch the WAC title.

The win was a first against Rice (4-7, 3-5 WAC) in the four-game series that began in 1999. The Warrior defense played with a bend but don't break attitude, allowing 410 yards of total offense, but recorded seven tackles-for-loss (-28), one by Houston Ala on 4th-and-3 with seconds remaining in the game, to end all hopes of an upset.

The teams traded touchdowns in the first quarter before Rice took a 14-7 lead when Robbie Beck broke free for a 32-yard touchdown run with 3:11 left on the first half clock.

Justin Ayat kicked a 28-yard field goal to cut the Rice lead to four at 14-10 just before the half.

Hawaii wasted no time in the second half. Quarterback Timmy Chang orchestrated a 9-play, 57-yard drive capped by an 8-yard fade to Jeremiah Cockheran resulting in a Warrior touchdown to take a 16-14 lead. Ayat missed the PAT attempt wide right after converting 43 straight this season.

On the ensuing kickoff, Rice's Sean White fumbled the ball and Lono Manners recovered for the Warriors at the 21-yard line. Three plays later, Chang found Britton Komine for a 17-yard touchdown to put Hawaii up 23-14 midway through the third quarter.

Rice, facing 3rd-and 5 from their own 40-yard line, ran a reverse to Marcus Battle that resulted in a 60-yard touchdown to bring the Owls within two at 23-21, in the third quarter. The Warriors answered with a 21-yard field goal by Ayat to put the Warriors ahead by five entering the fourth quarter. Kelvin Millhouse's interception led to the winning score, a 3-yard touchdown run by Thero Mitchell to make it 33-21.

Rice capitalized on a Warrior fumble and a 54-yard pass from Greg Henderson to Battle to cut the lead to five at 33-28. The Owls had a chance to win it when they got the ball back at their own 17-yard line with 1:52 to play. Henderson drove the Owls down to the Warrior 11-yard line before the UH defense got to him.

The Warriors finished the 2002 season with a 3-2 road record. Chang completed 35-of-64 for 369 yards and two touchdowns. Nate Ilaoa finished the game with a career-high 10 catches for 108 yards. Pisa Tinoisamoa led the Warriors with 10 tackles (9 solo).

Next week the Warriors return to Honolulu for the first of a three-game home stretch against Cincinnati. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

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