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University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics

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UNLV Post Game Notes

Post-Game Notes
UNLV at Hawai‘i
Nov. 17, 2018
Aloha Stadium – Honolulu, HI
 
Attendance: 25,697
Hawai‘i Captains: J.R. Hensley, Noah Borden, Samiuela Akoteau, Zeno Choi
Coin Toss: UNLV won and deferred. UH received.
 
SERIES INFORMATION
  • UH claimed the Island Showdown Trophy for the first time. The trophy debuted last season and went to UNLV after a 31-23 victory in Las Vegas.
  • UH improved to 16-12 against UNLV, including 11-3 in Honolulu.
  • UH snapped a three-game losing streak vs. UNLV.
  • Five of the last six meetings have been decided by 8 points or less.
  • UH has won five of the last six meetings in Honolulu.
  • UH is 3-4 against UNLV in Mountain West meetings.
  • Nick Rolovich won for the first time against UNLV as UH head coach (1-2).

STREAKS/TRENDS
  • UH snapped a four-game losing streak and got its first win in over a month.
  • The Rainbow Warriors secured a winning regular-season for the first time since 2010.
  • The win also guaranteed a non-losing MW record for the second time in three years (4-4 in 2016).
  • In its last nine games, the Rainbow Warriors trailed at the half seven times, led once and were tied once.
  • John Ursua has caught at least one pass in 29 straight games.

TEAM NOTES
  • Hawai‘i gained its seventh win and bowl eligibility. UH last appeared in the 2016 Hawai‘i Bowl.
  • UH overcame a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit. It was UH’s biggest comeback since overcoming a 21-point deficit to Washington in 2007.
  • UH overcame a fourth-quarter deficit of at least 14 points for just the second time in more than 35 years (also vs. San Jose State in 2007).
  • UH now has possession of all three of its rivalry trophies — the Paniolo Trophy (vs. Wyoming), the Kuter Trophy (vs. Air Force) and the Island Showdown Trophy.
  • A total of 18 seniors participated in the traditional “Senior Walk” ceremony at the conclusion of the game.
  • Prior to the game, former UH All-American and NFL veteran Vince Manuwai was honored with a moment of silence. Manuwai passed away on Nov. 4. UH helmets featured “65” stickers, while the coaching staff wore Manuwai-inspired t-shirts.
  • UH had multiple 100-yard receivers (John Ursua – 148, JoJo Ward 109) for the third time this season and the first time since the second game of the season vs Navy.  
  • UNLV’s 17-play, 7:48 drive in the first quarter was the longest UH has surrendered this season in terms of plays and duration.
 
 
 
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
 
  • Chevan Cordeiro made his third appearance this year entering in the fourth quarter.
  • Cordeiro threw three touchdowns on five attempts, including a 64-yard touchdown pass to JoJo Ward on his first throw of the game and the game-winning touchdown 68-yard to John Ursua with 1:25 left.
  • John Ursua finished with six catches for 148 yards and a touchdown.
  • It was Ursua’s seventh 100-yard game this season and the 12th of his career.
  • Ursua now has at least one touchdown in 10-of-12 games this season and leads the team with 17 overall touchdowns and 16 by reception..
  • With 148 receiving yards, Ursua cracked the career top 10 at UH in the category. Ursua surpassed Kealoha Pilares (2,491) and Marcus Kemp  (2,570) and now sits ninth all-time with 2,628 yards.
  • JoJo Ward finished with five catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns.
  • Ward caught multiple touchdowns for the second time this year (also vs. Navy)
  • Ward has four catches of 50 yards or longer this year with two of those resulting in touchdowns.
  • Ryan Meskell nailed field goals of 36 and 41 yards. Meskell is 14-of-17 on field goals this year.
  • Cole McDonald did not throw a touchdown pass in a game for the first time this season and threw multiple interceptions for the second straight game.
  • McDonald, however, rushed for his third touchdown this season with a 3-yard score in the third quarter. McDonald has accounted for 35 total touchdowns this year, the sixth-highest single-season total in school history.
  • Joey Nu‘uanu-Kuhi‘iki made his first career start at right tackle, while Kohl Levao made his first career start at center. Levao started the previous 11 games at right tackle.
  • Sophomore linebacker Penei Pavihi led UH with a career-high 13 tackles while adding two tackles-for-loss and a sack.
  • Junior defensive back Kalen Hicks also set a new career high with 10 tackles and two tackles-for-loss.
 
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