UH vs NMSU Wrap-Ups

Aggies fall on the road to Hawaii, by Teddy Feinberg of the Las Cruces Sun-News

NM State Football Drops Tough Game to Hawai'i, 24-6, from NMStateSports.com

Second straight victory based on sacrifices, assisting others, by Stephen Tsai

Against the man-to-man, gaps can be created for the slotbacks, particularly if the wideouts are able to draw away the cornerbacks. Pilares has become an excellent blocker, and Taylor, who can run 40 yards in under 4.4 seconds, is effective in forcing corners to chase him.

The Warriors do not practice running off cornerbacks in practice. The emphasis, instead, is made during video sessions.

"Do you want to stand there and block for five seconds, or do you want to run (the cornerback) off?" Rolovich will tell the wideouts.

Rolovich added: "It takes a lot of unselfishness by Kealoha and Jovonte. The past two games, they haven't been getting a lot of catches. But they're helping the team win."

Warriors defense denies Aggies, by Jason Kaneshiro

When the Aggies (3-7, 1-4) did put together promising drives, the Warriors denied them with interceptions by Mana Silva and linebacker Blaze Soares.

The Warriors forced seven punts and the Aggies' drive to the UH 27 in the second quarter marked their deepest venture of the night.

"We came out with a chip in our shoulder and I feel like our defense is improving more and more each week," Soares said.

Warriors' defense derails New Mexico State in win, by Kalani Takase

"I think what's happening is our newer, younger players have realized how to play the game," McMackin said. "That was evident on the defensive side of the ball today. They got turnovers, they reached a lot of the goals that we really worked towards."

Salas sets UH record, by Brian McInnis

He might have had an even more prolific night, but dropped several balls against minimal pressure.

His mistakes were the equivalent of sacrificing a rook to take the queen. Salas fed off his own disappointment and the reactions of the 25,103 in attendance to keep making plays immediately after a gaffe.

"Dropping balls kind of motivates me a little bit to make a play," Salas said. "You don't want to hear those 'Awwww's in the crowd. You want to get the crowd rolling."

Salas sets UH single-game record for catches in win over New Mexico State, by Audrey McAvoy of the AP

''They just keep piling up for some reason, I don't know. I'm just working hard to stay up for our quarterbacks. I guess it's paying off a little bit,'' he said.

Warriors coach Greg McMackin said the 16 catches were ''awesome.''

''He's amazing. He's having a big-time year. He competes and he's quick and fast,'' McMackin said.

House strikes again, by Billy Hull

Davon House took one to the house last night -- a lesson he learned from his last trip to Aloha Stadium.

House was a freshman two years ago when NMSU last played here, and made one of his nine career interceptions on the first play from scrimmage, picking off a Colt Brennan pass intended for C.J. Hawthorne.

"I won't ever forget that," House said. "It was Colt Brennan."

Moniz says injury 'not serious', by Kalani Takase

University of Hawai'i starting quarterback Bryant Moniz suffered what is believed to be a bruised rib in last night's 24-6 win over New Mexico State and said he should be able to play in Saturday's game at San Jose State.

Moniz exited the game after the first play of the fourth quarter and did not return. He said the injury is "not serious at all" and that it "happened early in the game.

Hopefully x-rays come back negative.

Austin doesn't miss a beat in replacing Moniz, by Stacy Kaneshiro

"(The coaches) always tell you to be ready," Austin said. "You're one play away from going in, especially with how this season's been going, how the quarterbacks have been going down. It could be any game. Every game you have a chance to go in. Only thing is I wasn't warm or anything. I threw like two passes and I'm out there. But it's fun to get out there."

Short snaps: UH vs. NMSU from the Star-Bulletin has notes about Leon Wright-Jackson scoring two TDs, female line judge Sarah Thomas, Blaze Soares' interception, Hawaii Aggies, etc.

Rolovich prepares UH's QBs to jump in, by Ferd Lewis

That Austin calmly came in, inheriting a third-and-2 situation and adroitly completing five passes in succession for 48 yards, the last one a 12-yard touchdown strike to Greg Salas, said plenty.

Both about Austin, who was playing in only his third college game, and about his mentor, Rolovich, who had helped prepare him for the possibility of it.

"He does so many things to help get you ready in case that time comes," Austin said. "And this year, especially, you never know if you'll have to go in."

Say what you will about the 30-year-old Rolovich's play calling, a role he was thrust into early in the season, but his preparation of the Warriors' quarterbacks has been spot-on, if not masterful.

UH sets stage for another improbable late-season run, by Dave Reardon

What was five in a row is now merely three in a row. Three in a row, like the Yankees did in the World Series after losing the first game. Three in a row, one less than the number of days Hawaii kids have to get up early to go to school most weeks.

It's gone from the realm of the nearly impossible to that of the merely improbable.

And, most importantly, it's been done before, by a University of Hawaii football team -- thus proving it is doable.