Box Score
Post Game Notes
Post Game Quotes
Post Game Press Conference (Paredes, Falemalu, Iosefa)
Post Game Press Conference (Moniz)
Post Game Press Conference (McMackin)
Photo Gallery


HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i football team started the 2011 season strong with a 34-17 win over new Pac-12 member Colorado in a nationally televised game Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

Senior quarterback Bryant Moniz rushed for 121 yards and three touchdowns, while the UH defense shutout the Buffaloes in the first half in helping the Warriors pick up a season-opening win over a BCS squad, while also avenging last year's 31-13 loss to the Buffaloes in Boulder.

UH led 17-0 at half and 24-7 midway through the third quarter, but needed to hold off a second-half rally by the Buffaloes, who cut the lead to one touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Moniz fittingly converted on a key fourth-down conversion on a 3-yard rush which helped extend a UH scoring drive. The drive was capped by a 22-yard shovel pass from Moniz to Joey Iosefa as the Warriors gained a two-touchdown cushion.  

The UH defense effectively sealed the win on the next possession when freshman linebacker Art Laurel intercepted Tyler Hansen's fourth-down  pass and returned it near the Buffalo goal line. The Warriors put pressure on Hansen for much of the game, finishing with seven sacks, including two by defensive end Paipai Falemalu.

Moniz has made headlines with his arm, but on this night it was his legs that powered the UH offense. The senior quarterback scored on touchdown runs of 57 yards and 14 yards. Moniz, who had 220 yards of total offense in the first half with more than half (120) coming on the ground to help UH forge a 17-0 lead. Moniz' 121 rushing yards were the most by a UH quarterback in 15 years.

The Buffaloes rallied in the second half when Hansen hooked up with Paul Richardson for a pair of scoring strikes. A 34-yard field goal by Will Oliver early in the fourth quarter cut the Warrior lead to 24-17. However UH scored on its next possession and the Warrior defense hunkered down the rest of the way.

The Warriors now head to road for their next two games beginning with their second straight meeting with a Pac-12 team as they take on Washington on Saturday, Sept. 10. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. PT (9:30 a.m. HT).