Box Score

HONOLULU - The University of Hawaii Warrior football team earned an invitation to the ConAgra Foods Hawaii Bowl by winning it's seventh game of the season with a 40-31 win over San Jose State Saturday night at Aloha Stadium.

Missed opportunities and a plethora of penalties (both teams combined for 273 yards on 28 penalties) plagued a game that helped the Warriors improve to 7-2 overall and 6-1 in Western Athletic Conference play.

Hawaii jumped out to a 28-17 lead in the first half that lasted close to two hours. San Jose State (4-6, 2-3 WAC) took an early 7-0 lead after quarterback Scott Rislov hit Kendrick Starling for a 20-yard touchdown, but the Warriors struck back, thanks to the defense.

Linebacker Chris Brown came up with his first career interception off a tip by defensive end Travis LaBoy. Strong safety Hyrum Peters forced a fumble by SJSU tailback Lamar Ferguson. Both turnovers led to Warrior touchdowns, both on passes from quarterback Timmy Chang to wide receiver Justin Colbert, that helped Hawaii take control in the first half.

Hawaii led the game 30-17 entering the fourth quarter, but the Spartans mounted a comeback when Rislov connected with Juan Walden for a 90-yard score to cut the Warrior lead to two (33-31) with 6:52 remaining in the game.

Chang, who finished the game 31-of-54 for 365 yards and three touchdowns, orchestrated an 11-play, 80-yard drive that ate 5:19 off the clock to seal the win.

Colbert tied his career-high of 11 catches for 156 yards and two scores, his fourth straight 100-yard performance. Fellow senior Neal Gossett added a career-high seven catches for 119 and a touchdown.

Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa led all Warriors with seven tackles (all solo) and added an interception.

The Warriors will take the week off before wrapping up the WAC season at Rice, Nov. 16, in Houston, Texas.

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