HONOLULU — A second half comeback came up short in the University of Hawai'i football team's 20-16 loss to San Jose State on Saturday at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex.
The Rainbow Warriors trailed 14-0 at halftime, and scored on their first four possessions of the second half to twice close to within a point. But SJSU came up with an interception leading to a time-consuming drive which ended in a field goal with 1:15 left in the fourth quarter. UH's last ditch drive in the closing minute was thwarted and the Warriors fell to 1-4 overall and 0-3 in Mountain West Conference play.
UH quarterback
Micah Alejado completed 23-of-35 pass attempts for 341 yards and surpassed the 5,000-yard mark for his career. Wide receiver
Devin Alves sparked the Warriors with three catches for 121 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.
Sean Olvera-Harle converted three field goals, two from 44-yards out, to keep UH within striking distance throughout the second half.
UH posted 438 yards in total offense to SJSU's 324, but the Spartans converted two interceptions into a touchdown and field goal to help fend off the Warriors.
San Jose State quarterback and former Rainbow Warrior
Luke Weaver threw for 246 yards and two first-half touchdowns in his return to Mānoa.
After the teams traded punts to open the game, UH drove to the SJSU 4 but was stopped on fourth down. The Warriors' next possession resulted in an interception, and the Spartans capitalized with a 10-yard touchdown pass. SJSU extended the lead with a seven-play, 73-yard drive capped by a 12-yard TD pass and the Spartans took a 14-0 lead into halftime.
UH opened the third quarter with Alves snagging a 49-yard reception from Alejado to the San Jose State 26. Penalties hampered the drive and Olvera-Harle got the Warriors on the board with a 44-yard field goal.
After forcing a punt, the Warriors drove 79 yards in 10 plays, highlighted by a 25-yard reception by
Josiah Fetui. Olvera-Harle converted a 24-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 14-6 at the 5:14 mark of the third quarter.
Following an SJSU three-and-out, Alejado fired down the right side to Alves, who made the catch and sprinted down the sideline for a 58-yard touchdown reception. The scoring strike was UH's longest play of the season to date, and the Warriors trailed by a point after Olvera-Harle's PAT.
A long completion set up a 24-yard SJSU field goal and the Spartans took a 17-13 lead with 24 seconds left in the third quarter. UH responded with another 44-yard field goal by Olvera-Harle to again close to within a point.
SJSU's next possession ended with a missed field-goal attempt and UH took over with 7:48 left. An interception gave the ball back to the Spartans, and SJSU converted on two fourth downs to drive inside the UH 10 while running down the clock. SJSU converted a 30-yard field goal to push its lead to 20-16 with 1:15 remaining.
UH began its final possession with 1:08 left and Alejado scrambled for a first down. UH moved to the SJSU 36, and a Hail Mary attempt into the end zone was batted away as time expired.
The Warriors take a week off from conference play and will travel to Tempe, Ariz., to take on Arizona State on Oct. 10.
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