Box Score
Post Game Notes
Post Game Quotes
HONOLULU – The University of Hawai`i Warrior football team won its Homecoming game for the seventh straight year with a 24-14 victory before 40,246 fans Saturday night at Aloha Stadium. UH moved its record to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the Western Athletic Conference.
For the second straight week the Warriors beat a Bulldog squad with turnovers playing a key role. UH produced four turnovers—two fumbles and two interceptions—against Louisiana Tech (2-3, 0-2 WAC), sealing its second straight WAC win. Last week UH forced six turnovers in an upset win at Fresno State.
The Warriors forced two Bulldog fumbles—one preventing a Louisiana Tech score and another leading to a UH score—and blocked a field goal attempt to stake a two touchdown lead at half. The Warriors then recorded two interceptions after the break to help record a second-half shutout, until the Bulldogs scored in the waning seconds.
Inoke Funaki moved the Hawai`i offense by passing for two touchdowns and rushing for another. The junior completed 16-of-27 and finished with a career-high 224 yards.
The Warriors out-gained the Bulldogs 402-358 yards and allowed just 52 yards of total offense by Louisiana Tech in the second half, until the final drive with the game already decided.
UH remained undefeated all-time at home versus Louisiana Tech (4-0), while picking up its 18th win in its last 20 WAC games.
UH got on the board first when Funaki scampered six yards for his first career rushing touchdown and a 7-0 first-quarter lead. The touchdown was set up by a Fuanki to
Malcolm Lane connection for 53 yards, the longest pass play of the season for the Warriors.
The Warriors then came up with a big defensive play late in the first quarter. With Louisiana Tech knocking on the door
Brashton Satele forced a Bulldog fumble at the goal line that was recovered by
John Fonoti.
Louisiana Tech eventually would score in the second quarter when they marched down the field on a 11-play 76-yard drive, ending with Patrick Jackson's 5-yard run. All but 13 of the yards were gained on the ground.
UH responded with two touchdowns in a 54-second span. The Warriors manufactured its longest scoring drive of the year when it moved 91 yards for a touchdown as Funaki found
Greg Salas in the corner of the endzone for a 25-yard touchdown.
Louisiana Tech fumbled the ensuing kickoff and UH cashed in two plays later when
Kealoha Pilares took a Funaki shovel pass 20 yards to pay dirt. UH took a 21-7 lead into the locker room
The UH defense continued its takeaway mode in the second half. Senior safety
Desmond Thomas squashed the Bulldog's opening drive of the second half with his first interception of the season. UH converted that turnover into a 30-yard
Dan Kelly field goal to take a 24-7 lead. A
Calvin Roberts interception later in the quarter ended another Louisiana Tech drive.
The Bulldogs scored with 19 seconds left when Myke Compton picked up a Bulldog fumble and ran in from eight yards out to complete the game's scoring.
The Warriors next head to the road for a nationally-televised game against No. 15 Boise State. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. MT (2:00 HT).
-UH-
