Hawai'i Game Notes | Louisiana Monroe Game Notes | VIDEO: Pre-Game Interviews

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warrior football team closes out its 2015 football season on Saturday with a Senior Night celebration, set to square off with Louisiana Monroe on Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium in the second meeting between these programs. For viewers in Hawai'i, the game will be broadcasted on Oceanic Pay-Per-View (Digital Ch. 255 and HD Ch. 1255) and Hawaiian Telcom Pay-Per-View (Ch. 969).
 
The last of three consecutive home games down the homestretch of the season, UH will be honoring 22 outgoing seniors, who will make their final appearance for the Rainbow Warriors on Saturday.

Saturday marks only the second meeting between UH and ULM, who last faced off in 1997 when ULM was known as Northeast Louisiana. The then-Indians stormed back from a 17-7 halftime deficit to defeat UH in overtime 23-20. 

Game #13
Who: Louisiana Monroe (1-10, 0-7 Sun Belt) at Hawai'i (2-10, 0-8 MW)
When: Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015
Time: 6:07 p.m.
Where: Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium (50,000)
Television: Televised live locally in O'ahu and statewide on Oceanic Pay-Per-View (Digital Ch. 255 and HD Ch. 1255) and Hawaiian Telcom Pay-Per-View (Ch. 969), with Robert Kekaula (play-by-play) and Rich Miano (analyst).
Radio: ESPN 1420 AM will carry the game live with Bobby Curran (play-by-play) and John Veneri (analyst). Chris Hart and Gary Dickman host the "Countdown To Kickoff" beginning at 4:00 p.m., and also the halftime show. Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KHLO in Hilo, KKON in Kona, KTOH on Kaua'i, and KNWJ in Pago Pago, American Samoa. In addition, the game is available on satellite radio on XM 203 and Sirius 93.
Steaming Video: Live video for those outside of the Hawaiian Islands at Campus Insiders
Audio Webcast: Live audio streaming on www.espn1420am.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats provided by HawaiiAthletics.com
Series Information: Second meeting, ULM leads 1-0

Game Sponsor: Outrigger Hotels and Resorts is the game sponsor for "Senior Night" and will distribute 10,000 spirit flags (available at stadium Gates 1-6 only) and award a surfboard during the halftime promotional contest (register at Gate 3). One lucky fan will compete in the "Outrigger Resorts Field Goal Kick" promotion during pre-game (register at Gate 3) and a UH student will compete in the "Outrigger Resorts Quarterback Challenge" for the chance to win a Vacations Hawaii Trip to Las Vegas during the first timeout of the fourth quarter. Fans are encouraged to visit the Xtreme Fun Zone before the game in the parking lot across from the stadium ticket office. Also, register at Gate 4 or 6 to win the "Best Seats In the House", compliments of Papa John's Pizza Hawaii and NAPA. The Farmers Hawaii Supa Bowzooka will be launching T-shirts into the stands between the first and second quarters. UH season-ticket holders in all UH sports will receive 50% off select adult tickets (maximum of eight).

Band/Anthem: Pregame: The UH Marching Rainbow Warrior Band and UH Football Senior Recognition Ceremony. Anthem: The National Anthem and Hawai'i Pono"i will be sung by Karen Keawehawaii Halftime: UH Rainbow Warrior Marching Band, highlighted by Senior Recognition for Band, Cheer and Dance Seniors.

Series in Brief
These programs previously met in 1997. At the time, Louisiana Monroe was named Northeast Louisiana and they were known as the Indians, a non-conference independent opponent for the Rainbow Warriors.
 
In that lone previous meeting at Aloha Stadium, NLU battled back from a 17-7 halftime deficit, holding UH scoreless in the second half.
 
NLU added a field goal in the third quarter and the game-tying touchdown in the fourth to bring the score to 17-all for the majority of the final frame of regulation.
 
The Rainbow Warriors drove to the five in overtime, but were limited to a 22-yard Eric Hannum field goal. On defense, it appeared the Indians would have to kick as well. However, on third and 20 at the 35, Daniel Jeremiah threw a pass to Marty Booker on a 6-yard hook pattern, immediately lateraling to Kond Allen out of the backfield, sprinting down the sideline for the touchdwon and 23-20 overtime win for NLU.

Game Storylines:  Both teams are playing under an interim head coach and are looking to finish their season strong to play for the seniors and build 2016 momentum…UH is riding a nine-game losing streak and has dropped four straight at home. ULM is also on a nine-game losing streak, with six consecutive road losses…The Rainbow Warriors are sending off 22 seniors who will play their final game for UH at Aloha Stadium, with the "Senior Walk" to follow Saturday's game…How mounting injuries will affect the outcome of the game for UH, who has had as many as 17 starters miss a game due to injury…Running back Paul Harris has had five 100+ yard games this season, including the last three consecutive games, and needs only 34 yards to reach 1,000 yards rushing this season—he would become the first over 1k since 2010 and only the second since 1992…The Ikaika Woolsey-led offense has put up a more balanced effort of late and will look for opportunities against a ULM defense that ranks 54th (215.3 YPG) vs. the pass, 114th (215.9 YPG) vs. the run and 116th (37.5 PPG) in scoring.

UH Versus the Sun Belt Conference
UH is 1-0 against Sun Belt Schools that were conference members at the time of the game. However, UH has met several current members of the conference over the years, including a pair of former long-time Western Athletic Conference foes. Overall, UH holds a 20-4 record against current members of the Sun Belt Conference.
 
The record breaks down accordingly: 0-1 vs. Arkansas State 10-2 vs. Idaho, 1-0 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (Southwestern Louisiana), 0-1 vs. Louisiana Monroe (Northeast Louisiana), 8-0 vs. New Mexico State and 1-0 vs. South Alabama.
 
Against Pelican State Teams
UH holds an all-Time record of 12-7 when playing teams from Louisiana. At home UH is 9-5 vs. Louisiana foes. The record includes: 0-3 vs. Grambling State, 8-2 vs. Louisiana Tech, 0-1 vs. Nourtheast Louisiana (ULM), 1-0 vs. Southwestern Louisiana (ULL) and 3-1 vs. Tulane.

Bowl-Bound Slate in 2015
Heading into week 13, seven of UH's opponents this season have reached bowl eligibility already, including Air Force (8-3), Boise State (7-4), New Mexico (6-5), Nevada (6-5), Ohio State (10-1), San Diego State (8-3) and Wisconsin (8-3), with San Jose State needing a win this weekend at 5-6.
 
Harris Closing in on Milestones
First-year junior transfer running back Paul Harris has been steadily showing flashes of his potential down the stretch for the Rainbow Warriors, racking up 100+-yard rushing performances across the past three contests, including 179 yards last week against San Jose State. Harris is the first UH running back to go for three straight since James Fenderson did in 2000 against Fresno State, Nevada and Louisiana Tech.
 
With the SJSU performance, Harris rushed for his fifth 100+-yard game of the season, bypassing Alex Green, who had four century games in 2010, and becomes the first since Travis Sims in 1992 to log five in a season. Sims had nine century games that season.
 
Harris also closed the gap to reach 1,000 yards on the season, hitting 966 with one game remaining. The last 1k rusher was Alex Green, who reached 1,199 in 2010.
 
Another Target Rising
Despite only making one catch through his first nine games, Makoa Camanse-Stevens has seen a major upsurge in his production over the past three weeks. Over that span, Camanse-Stevens has caught 10 passes for 148 yards and scored touchdowns in two consecutive games. Against San Jose State, he made the start at slot receiver, using his 6-4, 205-pound frame to work inside.
 
Kennedy Living Behind the Line
Junior defensive end Kennedy Tulimasealii has racked up 17.5 tackles for loss this season to not only lead the team, but all Mountain West defenders, ranking 14th in the NCAA.
 
Of his tackles for loss, 3.5 were for sacks, in addition to his team-leading seven (7) hurries. Tulimasealii sits fourth on the team with 61 tackles, including 40 unassisted.
 
Nelson Chasing the Record Book
Sophomore cornerback Nick Nelson has proven a crucial asset in pass defense this season, and is quite adept at intervening in coverage. Although he has no interceptions, Nelson has logged 15 pass breakups and is in striking distance of seeing the UH record books with one game remaining. The current season record is held by Kelvin Millhouse, who broke up 18 passes in 2001—Millhouse was the roommate of current UH secondary coach Abe Elimimian when they played for the Rainbow Warriors.
 
Nelson's efforts, including three games with three apiece, ranks him second in a close see-saw battle for the Mountain West lead, tying for 27th in the NCAA standings. In addition to getting at the ball, Nelson ranks eighth on the team with 52 tackles.
 
Saying Aloha to Our Seniors
Following Saturday's game, 22 seniors will take part in the traditional "Senior Walk" ceremony, which will begin with 9:00 to go on the pregame clock, at approximately 5:58 p.m.
 
Mauro Bondi, Kickoff Specialist
Graduate transfer from Nebraska who recorded 19 kickoffs for 1,216 yards with a 64.0 YPK average and seven (7) touchbacks at UH.
 
Duke Bukoski, Wide Receiver
Fourth-year transfer from Idaho State, who logged one year on scout team and two years as a backup wide receiver and a facet of several special teams.
 
Ben Clarke, Offensive Line
Started every game of his career, his 50th on Saturday, two years as center and two as left tackle. A three-time all-MW honorable mention pick and three-time MW Scholar-Athlete honoree. Twice named to Lombardia Trophy watch list.
 
Gaetano DeMattei, Defensive Back
Second-year transfer who appeared in 20 games from 2014-15 as a backup defensive back, registering 40 tackles with 5.0 TFL, 1.0 sacks and a breakup.
 
Joshua Donovan, Linebacker
Fourth-year special teams warrior who has appeared in 43 games with 12 tackles at UH.
 
Benetton Fonua, Linebacker
Fourth-year senior who has started in 10 of his 42 games at linebacker, currently ranking third on the team with 65 tackles. He has accumulated 130 career tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception.
 
Julian Gener, Linebacker
Third-year senior linebacker making his 14th start after appearing in 20 games for UH. He currently leads the team with 90 tackles. ranking fourth in the MW in total tackles and 32nd nationally. Also has made 13.0 tackles four loss, which ranks third in the conference. At UH Gener has accrued 152 tackles and 20.0 TFL, with 4.5 sacks, three breakups, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.
 
Brian Hittner, Long Snapper
Second-year senior who started 15 consecutive games as long snapper before an injury at Ohio State cut his season and collegiate career short. Did not record a bad snap in his time at UH.
 
Marrell Jackson, Safety
Fourth-year senior with 24 starts in 40 appearances at UH, ranking fifth on the team with 55 tackles, two breakups, and a national third-best three fumble recoveries. As a Rainbow Warrior, Jackson has 155 tackles, 4.0 TFL, nine breakups, three forced fumbles, five recoveries and two interceptions.
 
Pereese Joas, Running Back/Kick Returner
Second-year senior with 13 games of action, totalling 69 yards rushing on nine carries, returning nine kickoffs for 210 yards and a 23.3 average.
 
Harold Moleni, Tight End
Fourth-year senior who has made 13 career starts in 44 games, making 20 catches for 187 yards and five touchdowns.
 
Jason Muraoka, Running Back/Kick Returner
Fourth-year transfer senior who has played in 18 games as scout team running back and special teamer, returning two kicks for 45 yards in 2015. Was a 2014 Academic All-MW honoree.
 
Aaron Novoa, Punter/Placekicker
Second-year transfer senior who spent two seasons as punter and kicker for the UH scout team.
 
Ryan Pasoquen, Wide Receiver
Fourth-year senior made two starts at receiver in 2014 as a receiver and has played largely on special teams. Had two kick returns for 24 yards in 2014.
 
Quinton Pedroza, Wide Receiver
Third-year senior and Utah transfer who appeared in 18 career games with 13 starts at receiver. Led UH in 2014 receptions with a team second-best 674 yards. Added 294 yards in 2015 before an injury cut his career short. Finishes with 82 catches for 968 yards and four touchdowns.
 
Ne'Quan Phillips, Defensive Back
Fourth-year senior who has started 38-of-47 career games. Career totals of 182 tackles, including 14.0 for loss, 23 pass breakups, two fumbles forced and two recovered, as well as five interceptions.
 
Simon Poti, Linebacker
Second-year senior transfer who has appeared in 25 career games with 13 starts and career totals of 93 tackles, with 6.5 TFL, two pass breakups an interception and a forced fumble.
 
Dominique Small, Running Back
Second-year senior who played in one game, rushing for seven yards.
 
Brenden Urban, Offensive Line
Third-year transfer senior who appeared in 10 games with six starts at center.
 
Justin Vele, Fullback
Fourth-year senior who appeared in 36 career games with eight starts, rushing for 15 yards on five carries, making 15 catches for 94 yards and a touchdown.
 
Lance Williams, Linebacker
Fourth-year senior who has started in 20-of-47 games played, tallying 118 career tackles, including 9.0 TFL and a sack, plus two fumbles forced and two recovered.
 
Max Wittek, Quarterback
First-year senior transfer from USC who started 8-of-9 games played prior to a season-ending injury, completing 128-of-271 passes for 1,542 yards and seven touchdowns.