Box Score

HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i Warrior football team opened the 2003 season with a 40-17 victory over Appalachian State before 42,996 Saturday night at Aloha Stadium.

Senior quarterback Jason Whieldon completed 21-of-35 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start, filling in for starter Timmy Chang who had to sit out for a NCAA rule violation.

Whieldon's primary target was senior receiver Jeremiah Cockheran who caught for 154 yards and three scores on seven receptions. Whieldon and Cockheran connected for 35 yards on the first play of the game to set up a 5-play, 74-yard scoring drive that set the tone for the evening.

The Warriors scored 21 points in the first quarter and never looked back. Appalachian State scored its first touchdown in the second quarterback when Richie Williams hit Zach Johnson from eight yards out. Hawai`i led 24-10 at the half. Appalachian State tried to rally back but Cockheran scored his third TD, a 35-yard strike from Whieldon, in the third quarter to put the Warriors ahead, 27-10.

Hawai`i's Ross Dickerson, a redhirt freshman playing in his first collegiate game, electrified the Warrior crowd with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to end the third quarter and the scoring.

Hawaii out-gained the Mountaineers 450 to 259. Senior safety Hyrum Peters led all Warriors with nine tackles and an interception.

Warrior head coach June Jones, who has won his last three season openers, will use the bye week to prepare for the upcoming road game at USC on Sept. 13 at the Los Angeles Colesium.

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