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Game Highlights (Courtesy OC Sports)

LAS VEGAS - Even with a career rushing effort and a renewed focus in the first game under interim head coach Chris Naeole, the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors were outpaced by the UNLV Rebels for their seventh consecutive loss on Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium, 41-21.

UNLV opened up the scoring on their first drive of the game; an eight-play, 87-yard drive pushing the Rebels ahead 7-0 with 10:19 remaining in the first quarter. The Rebels' touchdown marked only the fourth time this season that an opposing team has scored against the UH on its opening drive.

A mainstay in the Rainbow Warrior football program, the UH defense was tested and spread thin by air on Saturday, allowing the Rebels to open up their run game steadily. Entering the game ranked 19th nationally against the pass, UH allowed 258 of UNLV's 547 total yards through the air-while UH generated 378 total yards.

This is the second straight week that the 'Bows have allowed offense in excess of 500 yards to an opponent.

After trailing the Rebels for over 13 minutes in the first half, running back Paul Harris found a seam and rushed for a 34-yard touchdown to knot the score at 7-7 with 7:04 to go in the first half.

Gaining a little momentum, UH stopped the Rebels' ensuing drive after a Blake Decker pass was intercepted by Jalen Rogers at the UH 49-yard line, giving possession back to the Warriors.

However, the UNLV interception would not be indicative of the Rebels' offense, as the Decker created a halftime lead on an 85-yard toss to Aaron Criswell, bringing the score to 14-7 going into the break.

Returning from intermission, UNLV was once again able to capitalize on its opening possession, logging a 31-yard field goal, following a 15-play, 72-yard drive that extended over seven minutes.

On the Warriors' next possession, Harris again proved to be the answer for UH, sprinting down the sideline 72 yards to the UNLV 7-yard line. Melvin Davis broke through the UNLV defense for the 1-yard touchdown run, encroaching on the lead at 17-14.

However, Hawai'i's celebration was short-lived, as Decker responded quickly with a first-play pass to Devonte Boyd, blowing past the Rainbow Warrior defense for 75-yards and the 24-14 lead.

Kicking off the fourth quarter, the Rebels forced a fumble, stripping Harris of the ball. However, the possession would not reach the goal line, leaving UNLV another 31-yard field goal for Nicolai Bornand, stretching the lead to 27-14.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Rainbow Warriors showed promise for the comeback, headlined by a pair of receptions from Makoa Camanse-Stevens from quarterback Ikaika Woolsey that amounted to 70 yards and brought the ball to the 3-yard line, setting up a second Davis touchdown and trimming the lead to six points.

After that score, the period was all UNLV, as the Rebels racked up two final touchdowns on runs by Lexington Thomas and Keith Whitely, extending the final margin to 41-21.

Making his second start of the season, Woolsey went 16-of-33 for 187 yards passing. Harris was a spark for the UH offense on Saturday, rushing for a career-best 190 yards on 20 carriers-his third game over the century mark this season.

Defensively, Julian Gener picked up 11 total tackles, while Las Vegas native Jerrol Garcia-Williams logged eight (8) stops.

Hawai'i looks to build more success at home and snap the losing streak, returning to the friendly confines of Aloha Stadium for the next three weeks, beginning with a Nov. 14 meeting with Fresno State.