Box Score

HONOLULU - Hawai'i gained 583 yards of total offense on the legs of running back Nate Ilaoa and the hands of Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullen to beat UNLV, 42-13, and win its first game of the season, Saturday night at Aloha Stadium.

Ilaoa rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries, averaging a whopping 11.6 yards per carry, while Bess caught for 124 yards and a score and Grice-Mullen added 111 yards and a touchdown. It was Ilaoa's second 100-yard game in thrree outings after finishing the 2005 season with a career-high 151 rushing yards against San Diego State.

But the story of the night belonged to the Warrior defense, which held UNLV scoreless until the 3:51 mark in the third quarter, and to 271 yards of total offense. Warrior defenders got to UNLV quarterback Rocky Hinds three times, hurried him eight, and added an interception, which was returned for a touchdown.

Hawai'i (1-1) jumped out to a 14-0 lead, scoring on its first two possessions of the game. Warrior quarterback Colt Brennan completed 12-of-15 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter.

The junior also rushed for a 1-yard score and ended the first half 18-of-27 for 229 yards and two scores. Ilaoa, who finished the first half with 74 yards on six attempts, scored his first touchdown of the night on an 8-yard run to give the Warriors a 28-0 lead at the break.

After holding the Rebels to three rushing yards and 112 total yards in the first half, the Warrior defense began the second half in the same fashion. Safety Leonard Peters picked UNLV quarterback Rocky Hinds and dashed 33 yards for a touchdown, giving Hawai'i a 35-0 lead.

After forcing UNLV to punt, Brennan went to work, orchestrating a 96-yard drive on 12 plays, capped by a 7-yard touchdown run by Ilaoa, Hawai'i's final touchdown of the game before calling in the second team.

UNLV (1-2) got into the end zone on a 1-yard run by David Peoples at the 3:51 mark of the third quarter, and added a second touchdown when Shane Steichen hit Rodeline Anthony for a 15-yard score.

Brennan finished 24-of-35 for 296 yards and two touchdowns in three quarters of action. He also rushed for 27 yards and a score.

Linebacker Brad Kalilimoku led all Warriors with eight tackles (4 solo), including a sack (-5), while defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis had three hurries and two solo tackles.

Hawai'i opens Western Athletic Conference play next Saturday at Boise State. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

Box Score

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