Box Score

HONOLULU - The University of Hawaii football team answered all questions surrounding the 2002 season opener by trouncing Eastern Illinois, 61-36, tonight at Aloha Stadium.

A loyal crowd of 39,958 (38,019 turnstile) endured early traffic and the temptation of Pay-Per-View to see the Warriors play their best opening game since June Jones took over in 1999. Jones started quarterback Timmy Chang, who suffered a fractured pinky finger two weeks ago, to end all inquiring minds of who will lead the Warrior offense.

Chang, who got off to a slow start by throwing his only interception of the game in the first quarter, bounced back to finish 19-of-30 for 374 yards and three touchdowns. He threw to a group of untested receivers who answered the game day call. Senior Justin Colbert led the pack with three catches for 76 yards and two touchdowns.

The Panthers struck first on a 19-yard run by tailback J.R. Taylor and held a 6-3 lead after the first quarter. But the Warriors took command by scoring 30 unanswered points in the second quarter and added a 28-point second half to keep the game out of reach.

Junior Jason Whieldon also saw situational action at quarterback. The rookie out of Saddleback Community College went 5-of-10 for 79 yards and one score in his first Division I action.

The Warrior defense struggled to contain EIU quarterback Tony Romo, but recorded 10 tackles-for-loss (-41), including four sacks (-20) and two interceptions returned for touchdowns (Hyrum Peters and Abu Maafala).

The Warriors will leave Tuesday night for Provo, Utah where they will meet Brigham Young Friday night. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN at 5:05 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (1:05 p.m. Hawaii Time)

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