Utah State 30, Hawaii 14 (2008)

Entering the game as a 6-1/2 point underdog, Utah State upset Hawaii, moving up from 8th to 7th in the WAC standings.  Hawaii, though, also moved up from 4th to 3rd after this game.  This was only USU’s 2nd win of the season, but this is because they have a very tough schedule.  Hawaii is on a 2 game 10 day road trip and faces New Mexico State next week.

Anyway, back to the game. 

In the 1st quarter, Hawaii kicked off and USU went on to kick a field goal, 3-0 USU.  On the ensuing drive, with QB Greg Alexander at the helm, Hawaii missed their field goal when the ball was tipped.  I couldn’t believe Hawaii wasted its long first drive with a botched field goal attempt. 

In the 2nd quarter, Hawaii QB Inoke Funaki took over and was sacked.  Hawaii’s 2nd field goal attempt was again blocked.  Utah then passed 62 yards for a touchdown, 10-0 USU.  By this time, Hawaii had already been penalized 6 times, closing out with 7 penalties at the half.  Hawaii is the most penalized team in the WAC. 

Alexander then passed 34 yards to Michael Washington for a touchdown.  10-7 USU.  USU kicked a field goal, 13-7 USU to close the 2nd quarter.

During half-time, David told me that there was a recent movie about Ernie Davis, the QB at Syracuse during the 1950s, who won the HEISMAN Trophy and died of leukemia the same year.  Not thinking, I said, “Ernie Davis won the HEINEKEN?”  David chortled, “If he won the HEINEKEN, he could’ve sued HEINEKEN for causing his leukemia.”

In the 3rd quarter, Alexander started a great drive that fizzled.  He pitched to Daniel Libre, who fumbled.  The ball was recovered by USU at their 4 yard line.  David said, “Hawaii’s defense needs to score.”  But that was not to be as USU scored on a touchdown pass, 20-7 USU.

In the 4th quarter, Funaki was in the red zone, but did not score.  Then when Alexander had the ball, he dived into the end zone for a rushing touchdown, 20-14 USU.  Later USU kicked a field goal, 23-14 USU.  Then Alexander was intercepted.  USU scored on a touchdown handoff, 30-14 USU.

Hawaii’s Malcolm Lane ran back a kickoff all the way to the USU 10 yard line, when he switched the ball to his other hand and fumbled with 1:39 left in the game.  Coach McMackin challenged the ruling, but after review, the referee stated that Lane had not stepped out of bounds and that it was USU’s ball. 

Final score:  Utah State 30, Hawaii 14.  Do you agree with David?  He said, “No Hawaii Bowl.  Just the Toilet Bowl.”  Aw, come on.  Hawaii still has a chance!