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HONOLULU – The 25^th-ranked University of Hawai'i football team sent out its 28 seniors in style with a 59-21 victory over UNLV Saturday night at Aloha Stadium.

 

The victory gave UH a 10-win season for just the sixth time in school history. The Warriors will next face Tulsa in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl on Christmas Eve. Following the game 28 seniors were honored during the traditional Senior Walk ceremonies. UH also received its Western Athletic Conference championship trophy after finishing in a three-way tie with Boise State and Nevada.

 

Quarterback Bryant Moniz threw for 380 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 29 yards and two scores. Running back Alex Green topped the 100-yard mark for the fourth time this season, rushing for 136 yards and one touchdown. Slot receiver Kealoha Pilares had nine catches for 157 yards and one score while Greg Salas added five receptions for 94 yards and two scores.

 

UH's defense forced three Rebel interceptions, giving the Warriors 23 picks on the season. Safety Mana Silva's interception in the third quarter gave him a new UH career record of 14.

 

The Warriors got on the scoreboard first after an acrobatic opening drive touchdown catch by Royce Pollard on 3^rd down and 20.

 

The Rebels answered on their next possession and Omar Clayton found Michael Johnson for a 60-yard catch-and-run which tied the score at 7.

 

From there it was all Hawai'i. Beginning near mid-field on its next possession, Moniz found Pilares on consecutive pass plays down to the UNLV 3, setting up Moniz's first touchdown run. Following a Rebel punt, the Warriors marched downfield again, which included a spectacular run-after-catch by Pilares, setting up another Moniz score and a 21-7 UH lead.

 

The Warriors extended its lead to 24-7 after a Scott Enos 25-yard field goal. On UNLV's ensuing possession, Richard Torres picked off Omar Clayton returned it 43 yards to the 3 yard line setting up Alex Green's touchdown rush.

 

Leading 31-7 at the half, Corey Paredes opened up the second half with his fourth interception of the season. Six plays later Moniz found Salas on a 22-yard crossing play for a 38-7 lead.

 

UH got on the scoreboard again following Silva's interception. Green accounted for 67 yards rushing on the drive capped by Moniz's 3-yard pass to Pilares. After another Rebel punt, Moniz found Salas on a deep 54-yard touchdown pass giving UH a 52-7 lead.

 

Senior running back/linebacker Jake Heun scored a late touchdown, the first of his career, giving UH a 59-14 lead.

 

The Warriors will next face Tulsa, Conference USA West Division co-champions, in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, Dec. 24. Kick-off is 3:00 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.