Box Score

HONOLULU - Timmy Chang threw for 437 yards and three touchdowns and Nate Ilaoa gained 131 all-purpose yards to help Hawaii get past San Diego State, 41-40, in the regular season finale Saturday night at Aloha Stadium.

A loud crowd of 36,671 watched the Warriors get out-passed for the first time under Head Coach June Jones, 507 to 437, and out-gained in total offense, 632 to 610, but pull of a come-from behind victory in honor of their 18 seniors.

San Deigo State (4-9, 4-3 MWC) receiver J.R. Tolver caught for 283 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Lon Sheriff passed for 420 yards and three scores, but it wasn't enough to beat Hawaii (10-3, 7-1 WAC), which achieved its first 10-win season under head coach June Jones.

The Warriors took advantage of two blocked punts and a fumble to lead by as much as 19 (22-3) in the first half, but San Diego State crawled back on touchdowns by J.R. Tolver and Fred Collins, and a 32-yard field goal by Tommy Kirvovski to make it 22-20 at the break.

The Aztecs took a 26-22 lead out of the locker on two field goals by Kirvovski, but the Warriors put together a 14-play, 79-yard drive that dissolved a season-long 5:52 off the clock, resulting in a 3-yard touchdown pass from Chang to Britton Komine, to reclaim the lead at 29-26.

San Diego State answered with a 69-yard pass from Sheriff to Tolver that gave San Diego State a 33-29 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Hawaii appeared to take the lead back when Chang hit Neal Gossett on the 2-yard line on a 4th-and-1 try, but Gossett fumbled and gave the Aztecs the ball at their own 20-yard line. Three plays later, Sheriff hit Tolver for a 60-yard gain that led to a 6-yard touchdown pass from Sheriff to Kassim Osgood, and a 40-29 Aztec lead with 12:46 to play.

Hawaii struck back on the talents of John West, who gained gained 31 yards on the 5-play, 48-yard drive. Thero Mitchell took it in from 2-yards out to cut the SDSU lead to five at 40-35 after a failed two-point conversion.

After the Warrior defense forced the Aztecs to punt, Chang orchestrated an 8-play, 93-yard drive, capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Ilaoa to put Hawaii ahead for good, 41-40, with 4:45 left on the clock.

San Diego State threatened by driving down to the Warrior 37-yard line, but Sheriff was sacked by Travis LaBoy to end all hopes of an Aztec upset.

LaBoy finished with seven tackles, including two sacks and five for-a-loss. Kelvin Millhouse and Leonard Peters both led the Warriors with eight tackles. Justin Colbert caught eight passes for a team-high 88 yards, while Britton Komine had five catches for 62 yards and two touchdowns.

The Warriors will begin preparing for Tulane in the ConAgra Foods Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.

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