Disappointing loss brings Hawaii home for season

LAS VEGAS — Barring a series of improbable circumstances, the Hawaii football team will be home for the holidays this year.

The Warriors were assured of playing in the postseason after meeting the bowl eligibility requirement of securing a.500 or better regular season. They are 7-4 overall and 4-3 in the Mountain West heading into this coming Saturday’s regular-season finale against Wyoming at the Ching Complex. The are expected to receive an invitation to play in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve.

The Warriors had aspirations of playing in the Dec. 5 Mountain West championship game. Hawaii and UNLV were among the five teams in second place behind San Diego State. The league champion plays in the Dec. 13 LA Bowl (officially named the Bucked Up LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk ).

But in what was billed as the Island Showdown the past Friday night in Allegiant Stadium, the Warriors had a meltdown, incurring an abundance of penalties, drops and missed tackles in a 38-10 loss to UNLV.

The Warriors were held to a season-low 231 yards, with 156 coming on the 47 plays following their opening scoring drive, and never took a snap in the red zone.

For the first time in his UH career, junior slotback Pofele Ashlock did not catch a pass. With the Rebels dropping as many as eight into coverage, UH quarterback Micah Alejado threw only eight passes traveling more than 10 yards.

In preparation, the Warriors had animated practices. On Thursday, they worked out at football powerhouse Bishop Gorman High, where six Warriors, including Alejado, attended. Although the Warriors knew about Jae’Den “Jet ” Thomas’ determined running style—he entered with no fumbles and only three negative-yard carries—and Keyvone Lee’s elusiveness, live action was different from simulation. Thomas broke nine tackles in 13 carries ; Lee broke free from would-be tacklers four times. And quarterback Anthony Colandrea was a threat in the pocket or on the move.

“I thought that quarterback played a really good game, ” UH coach Timmy Chang said. “They caught every ball. It seemed 75 % of the throws he made were on the run, on the move. It becomes a scramble drill. A lot of times it’s not a timed play, and he’s making throws on the move, and he’s putting it on their guys, and they’re making plays by catching balls.”

In the concrete underbelly of Allegiant Stadium, while the grounds crew was replacing the artificial surface to natural grass, the Warriors also were moving on to next week.

Their larger concern is the health of starting middle linebacker Jamih Otis (knee ), cornerback Virdel Edwards II (ankle ) and slotback Nick Cenacle (foot ).

By playing in the Hawaii Bowl, the Warriors will have 15 practices allotted to bowl teams. The window is only eight days between the Mountain West title game and the LA Bowl. For now, Chang is focused on preparing the Warriors for this coming week’s senior night.

“Our next game is at home against Wyoming, ” Chang said. “We’ve got to play for those seniors. And that’s the most important thing. We have one of the best senior nights in the country as we honor those guys and their families. Just really, really thankful for those guys. Especially the ones who have been here now four years with us. … There’s a long list of guys we want to honor the correct way. And (this ) week is all about that.”