Box Score
Post Game Notes
Post Game Quotes
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Hawai`i Warrior football team opened the 2008 season with a 56-10 loss to No. 5 Florida Saturday afternoon at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. It was a tough start for the Warriors and first-year head coach Greg McMackin who played before 90,575 fans at “The Swamp,” the second-largest crowd to ever witness a UH game.
The Gators won their season-opener for the 19th straight year, while UH dropped its fourth season opener in the last five years.
UH got off to a strong start, marching into Gator territory on each of its first two possessions and holding the high-powered Florida offense scoreless in the first quarter. But it was all Gators for the next two quarters, when they scored all 56 of their points. Meanwhile the Warriors offense sputtered with six turnovers (four interceptions and two fumbles), including two interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Florida jumped on UH in all facets in the second quarter, scoring on offense, defense and special teams (75-yard punt return) to take a 28-0 lead into the locker room. Three of those touchdowns came off UH turnovers as the Warriors turned the ball over four times, including three straight possessions, in the first half.
The Gators didn't let up in the second half, again scoring 28 points in the third quarter to take a 56-0 lead into the final quarter. UH finally got on the board at the 9:52 mark in the fourth quarter when senior
Dan Kelly nailed a 30-yard field goal. Junior
Inoke Funaki, the third UH quarterback to see action during the game, led the 55-yard, 10-play drive. Funaki also led UH on its only touchdown drive, finding
Greg Salas in the back of the endzone for a 13-yard touchdown with less than two minutes remaining.
Funaki led UH with 110 passing yards and was 8-of-11 on his throws with one pick. Junior
Greg Alexander, making his first career start for UH, finished with 57 yards on 11-of-21 attempts. He was intercepted twice and sacked three times before sitting all but one series in the second half. Sophomore
Brent Rausch saw limited time in the second half, going 2-of-7 and 14 yards with one interception.
Senior defensive lineman
David Veikune led the Warrior defense with six tackles, including one for a loss (3).
Hawai`i looks to rebound when it plays its home opener versus Weber State on Saturday, Sept. 6. Kickoff is set for 6:05 p.m. HT at Aloha Stadium.
