Box Score

HONOLULU - The University of Hawaii won the pre-game entertainment contest with a savvy Polynesian dance routine, but fell short against the Green Wave that tore into Honolulu to defeat the Warriors, 36-28, in the ConAgra Foods Hawaii Bowl Wednesday night at Aloha Stadium.

Tulane (8-5) gained 429 total yards and sacked Warrior quarterbacks eight times to win the programs fourth bowl game. But it was the Tulane special teams that sparked a 30-point second half to overcome a 14-6 halftime deficit.

Hawaii (10-4) took its first drive of the game 64-yards on seven plays capped by a one-yard run by Thero Mitchell to take a 7-0 lead and struck again when senior reserve running back Josh Galeai ran around the left side for a two-yard touchdown to put the Warriors up, 14-0. The Green Wave settled for two field goals, 22- and 37-yards respectively by Seth Marler to get on the board before the end of the first half.

Tulane came out of the locker room like a team on a mission behind big returns by Lynaris Elpheage who cut the lead to two with a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown early in the third quarter. Elpheage set-up Tulane's go-ahead score with a 56-yard punt return. Six plays later, Tulane quarterback J.P. Losman took it in from one yard out to give Tulane its first lead of the game, 20-14, with 6:17 left in the third quarter.

Tulane added to the lead after Withy-Allen fumbled in UH territory. One play later, Mewelde Moore rumbled 25 yards for a touchdown and Tulane had a 26-14 lead.

Hawaii got the ball back just before the end of the third quarter after blocking a field goal attempt and turned into a touchdown. Withy-Allen, facing fourth-and-one, tossed a 57-yard strike to Justin Colbert who turned and dashed untouched to the "house" to bring the Warriors within five at 26-21.

Tulane answered with a 10-play, 80-yard drive that took 4:32 off the fourth quarter clock. Withy-Allen hit Colbert on a crossing pattern for a 31-yard score to put the Warriors within reach, but a safety by the Green Wave ended all hopes of a second bowl victory for Warrior Head Coach June Jones.

Colbert caught nine passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns in his last game as a Warrior. Withy-Allen completed 18-of-31 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns.

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