Box Score

HONOLULU - Wendell Mathis ran for 229 yards and three touchdowns to help No. 22 Fresno State defeat Hawai'i, 27-13, in a Western Athletic Conference game Saturday at Aloha Stadium. Hawai'i controlled most of the game from start to finish, but gave up big plays and struggled to convert on scoring opportunities that cost them in the end.

Hawai`i (3-5, 3-3 WAC) out-gained Fresno State (6-1, 4-0 WAC)456 to 445 in total yards, 27 to 17 in first downs, and 35:30 to 24:30 in time of possession, but were handcuffed by big plays, including a 58-yard touchdown pass and a 49-yard run that set-up a Bulldog touchdown in the second quarter, a roughing the kicker penalty in the third quarter, and a 78-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

The Warrior offense penetrated the red zone eight times, but came away with just 13 points. Hawai'i opened the game with a 59-yard drive to the Fresno State 15-yard line, but a fake field goal attempt came up empty. Dan Kelly converted a 38-yard field goal and Warrior quarterback Colt Brennan tossed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Davone Bess to get the Warriors on the board in the second quarter, but the Bulldogs built a 14-10 lead at the break.

Brennan finished the game 35-of-54 passing for 327 yards, two interceptions, and one touchdown. Bess tied the school record with 14 catches for a career-high 158 yards, while running back Nate Ilaoa gained a career-high 95 yards on 10 carries and added three receptions for 18 yards.

Warrior cornerback Turmarian Moreland intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 36 yards to the Fresno State 24-yard line. Kelly kicked a 39-yard field goal to cut the Fresno State lead to 14-13 midway through the third quarter. Moreland finished the game with five tackles and two interceptions.

The Warrior defense, which forced three turnovers in the game, forced Fresno State to punt midway through the third quarter, but a roughing the kicker penalty allowed the Bulldogs to continue on offense and take a 20-13 lead after the PAT attempt was blocked.

After a battle of field position in the fourth quarter, the Warriors managed to get the ball back in Bulldog territory, but Brennan's pass fell incomplete on 4th-and-goal from the 6-yard line with 2:46 left to play.

Brennan was sacked a season-high five times by the top-rated defense in the league, three times by all-WAC defensive end Garrett McIntyre.

The Warriors will travel to Nevada to meet the Wolf Pack Saturday, Nov. 5, at Mackay Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

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