FRISCO, Texas – The University Hawai'i football team gave Rainbow Warrior fans an early Christmas Eve gift with an impressive 28-14 win over Houston in the New Mexico Bowl at Toyota Stadium. In just the team's third-ever mainland bowl appearance, the Rainbow Warriors got off to an energized start, racing out to a 21-0 halftime lead before fending off the Cougars in the second half.

UH finished the year 5-4 for its third straight winning season. It's UH's best stretch since four straight winning seasons from 2001-04. It was also UH's third bowl win in its last four postseason appearances.
 
The Rainbow Warriors got the job done in all three phases of the game. The Rainbow Warriors defense pitched a first-half shutout and recorded three interceptions. The UH offense parlayed two of those interceptions into touchdowns while playing turnover-free football. Meanwhile, UH scored the first kickoff return touchdown in New Mexico Bowl history to help squash a Houston comeback bid.  
 
Calvin Turner was named the New Mexico Bowl Most Outstanding Offensive Player after racking up 252 all-purpose yards and scoring two touchdowns, including the previously mentioned kickoff return. Darius Muasau was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player after posting nine tackles, a sack, an interception and three quarterback hurries.
 
The defense proved the spark early as interceptions by Penei Pavihi and Michael Washington helped set up a pair of UH scores – first a 3-yard reception by Dae Dae Hunter, then a 75-yard catch-and-run by Turner. Cheven Cordeiro added to the UH lead with his third touchdown of the half, a 4-yard shovel pass to converted tight end Jonah Laulu in the second quarter. At the half, UH held a dominating 232-87 advantage in yardage.
 
The Cougars came out strong in the second half and after its second consecutive touchdown it was suddenly a 21-14 game in the third quarter. But on the ensuing kickoff, Turner broke the Cougars' spirit with an electrifying 92-yard return that pushed the Rainbow Warrior advantage back to double-digits.
 
UH would not be threatened again as the defense refortified. Aside from Muasau, Khoury Bethley was also a star on defense with a career-high 14 tackles. He added three tackles-for-loss with two sacks, including a 14-yard takedown of Clayton Tune that cemented the UH victory late in the game.
 
In the process, the Rainbow Warriors handed a milestone victory to first-year head coach Todd Graham. It was Graham's 100 career win as he became the 27th active FBS coach to reach the plateau.