HONOLULU — The University of Hawai'i football team saw an upset opportunity slip out of the Rainbow Warriors' grasp in the fourth quarter of a 21-10 Mountain West Conference loss to New Mexico on Saturday at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex.
The Warriors defense came up with two takeaways in a first half shutout, and took a 10-7 lead into the final quarter on Homecoming night in Manoa. UH appeared poised to extend the lead, but a fumble at the goal line followed by a New Mexico scoring drive flipped the teams' fortunes and the Warriors fell to 1-6 overall and 0-4 in conference play.
UH defensive back
Jeremiah Hughes came up with two interceptions and the Warriors forced three New Mexico turnovers. The Warriors led 10-0 at halftime, but New Mexico (5-1, 2-0) scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to rally to the win.
UH quarterback
Micah Alejado completed 23 of 40 attempts for 250 yards and a touchdown.
Titan Lacaden caught seven passes for 41 yards and snagged his first touchdown of his career late in the second quarter.
The Warriors defense set the tone for a first-half shutout when Hughes came up with his first interception on New Mexico's first possession of the game. The UH offense converted the takeaway into a 27-yard field goal by
Sean Olvera-Harle to take a 3-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
The UH defense came up with another big play when safety
Matagi Thompson punched the ball loose at the end of a 41-yard run by UNM quarterback Toa Fa'avae and
Kona Moore recovered the fumble. The Warriors added to the lead late in the half on a 1-yard touchdown pass from Alejado to Lacaden to cap a nine-play drive and UH took a 10-0 lead into halftime.
New Mexico opened the third quarter with a nine-play, 75-yard drive and set up its first score with a 35-yard completion on fourth-and-2 to the UH 5. Scottre Humphrey scored on a 1-yard run to cut UH's lead to 10-7 at the 9:43 mark of the third quarter.
Alejado completed 47-yard strike to
Josiah Fetui on the final play of the third quarter and UH opened the fourth on the UNM 8-yard line. The Warriors threatened to extend the lead again when Alejado took off up the middle on third down. But the ball was knocked free just before Alejado crossed the goal line and New Mexico recovered in the end zone for a touchback.
The Lobos put together a 12-play drive capped by a 21-yard touchdown run by Faavae to take the lead. New Mexico forced a UH punt and Scottre Humphrey went 49 yards for a clinching touchdown.
The Warriors head on the road to face Northern Illinois on Oct. 24 in DeKalb, Ill.
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