Box Score
Post Game Notes

SAN JOSE, Calif. – In a game short of points but full of big plays and excitement, the University of Hawai'i Warrior football gained a hard-earned 17-10 overtime win over San Jose State Saturday night at Spartan Stadium. The Warriors (5-6, 3-5 WAC) won their third straight game and in doing so kept their bowl dreams alive. 

 

Leon Wright-Jackson's 5-yard run in the first overtime put UH ahead and the Warrior defense stopped the Spartans on four straight plays to secure its second road win of the season. The Warriors have now won in their five last trips to San Jose and have beaten the Spartans in eight of the last nine meetings.

 

It was a game of missed opportunities for the Warrior offense, but luckily for UH the defense was up to the task. A week after shutting out New Mexico State's offense, the Warrior defense limited San Jose State (1-9, 0-6 WAC) to just 10 points by forcing four Spartan turnovers. Among the turnovers was a big fumble recovery with less than a minute remaining as the Spartans were driving in UH territory.

 

The 17 points were the least amount of points in a UH win since a 13-10 decision at San Jose State in 2003. Meanwhile UH has won four straight overtime games dating back to 2007, all of them coming on the road.

 

UH played without quarterback Bryant Moniz and Shane Austin made his first career start in his place, tossing for 299 yards on 28-of-46 attempts. The sophomore also scored his first career rushing touchdown on a 3-yard run in the first quarter. Senior wide receiver Jon Medeiros came up huge for the Warrior offense hauling in 10 passes for 149 yards.

 

Yet despite racking up more than 400 yards of offense, the Warriors left points off the board by failing on two fourth-down conversion in Spartan territory and missing a crucial field goal with four minutes remaining and the game tied, 10-10. 

 

UH's defense would pick up the slack. The Warriors got two interceptions from Lametrius Davis and another from Mana Silva. Meanwhile Tuika Tufaga forced a Spartan fumble that was recovered by Jeramy Bryant to help send the game into overtime.

 

The Warriors now return home for their final two games and must win both to become bowl eligible. The two-game stretch begins with a matchup against Navy on Nov. 28. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.