Box Score

HONOLULU - An all-world performance by quarterback Timmy Chang, a defense that came up with timely big plays and three overtimes added up to a 54-48 Hawaii win over Houston in front of 29,005 in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl Christmas Day at Aloha Stadium.

Chang, who received the team MVP trophy after the game, came off the bench to throw for 475 yards and five touchdowns on 26-of-42 passing, and Kelvin Millhouse snagged two interceptions, one that led to the go-ahead touchdown, to help Hawaii win its second bowl game in three tries under head coach June Jones.

Chang completed passes to eight different receivers, most notably to senior Jeremiah Cockheran who finished with five catches for a game-high 162 yards, and true freshman Jason Rivers, who had a career night with seven catches for 143 yards and three TDs.

Hawaii (9-5) played without three starters in wide receivers Chad Owens and Nate Ilaoa, and WAC defensive player for the year Travis LaBoy. Owens and Ilaoa due to injuries while LaBoy did not meet the six-credit rule to participate in the bowl game.

Houston (7-6) jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead when quarterback Kevin Kolb drove the Cougars 73-yards on eight plays capped by a 34-yard touchdown pass to Chad McCullar. Less than three minutes later, a 60-yard punt return by McCullar led to a 21-yard field goal by Dustin Bell. Kolb finished 19-of-34 for 332 yards and two TDs.

Hawaii managed a 19-yard field goal by Nolan Miranda and Chang needed one play to tie it up. Chang, who came off the bench for starter Jason Whieldon on UH's third possession, found Clifton Herbert wide open across the middle for a 48--yard touchdown strike to tie the game at 10.

Houston took a 20-13 lead at the break, but the Warrior defense and Chang came out of the locker room ready to play. The defense forced two punts two interceptions, while Chang connected on 8-of-12 for 191 yards and two scores to take the lead 27-20 at the end of the third.

Houston scored 14 points in the fourth, the tying TD on an 81-yard pass from Kolb to Vincent Marshall with 22 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.

The teams matched touchdowns in two overtimes and Michael Brewster scored the game-winner on an 8-yard run to leave it up to the Warrior defense which held Houston to four-and-out on the final stand. And then the celebration began.

Chang finished the 2003 season ranked third all-time in NCAA passing with 12,814 yards, 2,218 behind record-holder Ty Detmer of Brigham Young.

Three Hawaii players finished with double-digit tackles, led by safety Leonard Peters (12). Linebacker Keani Alapa and David Gilmore added 11 each.

The Cougars sacked Chang six times (-53) but the Warrior offense still managed to out gain the Cougars 642 to 517. I-back Jackie Battle, who gained 124 yards and scored three times on 19 carries, was named Houston's MVP.

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