Box Score
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HONOLULU—The University of Hawai`i Warrior football team began defense of its Western Athletic Conference title with a bitter 20-17 loss Saturday night at Aloha Stadium. The Warriors dropped to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in WAC play.

 

Jared Strubeck's 47-yard field goal with 1:49 left proved the game-winner as the Spartans (3-2, 1-0 WAC) defeated the Warriors for the first time in eight years. The field goal was set up by a UH interception, one of five Warrior turnovers in the second half and six for the game. The Spartans converted three of those turnovers into 13 unanswered points.

 

The loss snapped UH's 15-game WAC win streak as well as a nine-game home win streak, both dating back to the 2006 season. UH suffered back-to-back losses for the first time since the 2005 season. That was also the same year that the Warriors last lost a WAC home game.

 

UH seemed well in control and held a 17-7 lead late in the third quarter. But the Warriors self-destructed with a succession of turnovers. A fumble gave San Jose State the ball inside the UH 10-yard line and resulted in a Spartan touchdown moments later to make it 17-14 going into the fourth quarter.

 

Another UH interception set up a career-long 50-yard field goal by Strubeck with 9:32 remaining that knotted the game 17-17. The final blow came with less than three minutes remaining when the Warriors threw their fourth pick of the evening deep in their own territory, setting up Strubeck's game-winner.

 

The turnovers spoiled a strong performance by the Warriors, particularly the defense, through most of the first three quarters. In an intense battle between two long-time rivals, San Jose State struck first on just its second offensive play of the game. The Spartans pulled out a trick play as running back Brandon Rutley sent a lateral to quarterback Kyle Reed lined up wide. Reed then sent a 77-yard bomb to a wide-open David Richmond for a San Jose State touchdown and an early 7-0 lead.

 

UH answered as Kealoha Pilares dashed in from 34 yards out for his third touchdown of the season to tie the game less than two minutes later. Pilares scored his second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard plunge to cap a 72-yard drive and put the Warriors up 14-7. UH went up 17-7 just before halftime as Dan Kelly hit a a 37-yard field goal.

 

After giving up the big play early in the game, the Warrior defense clamped down on the Spartans, giving up just four first downs and 49 yards the rest of the half. UH continued it tough defense in the second half, stuffing the Spartans on two fourth down attempts, the first a fake punt attempt and the second a pass play near the Warrior goal line broken up by senior safety Keao Monteilh. UH's offense, however, could not get into gear.

 

The Warriors next hit the road to face No. 25 Fresno State in a key WAC matchup. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT (4:00 HT) at Bulldog Stadium.