USU Review, NMSU Preview

Dave Reardon reviews five big plays from UH's 49-36 victory over Utah State in this week's Warrior Replay.

Stephen Tsai writes about the emergence of the running game.

Wright-Jackson and Alex Green, who rushed for 110 yards Saturday, have helped revive the Warriors' running attack, which in turn, is helping to ease the pressure on Moniz, a first-year starting quarterback.

Wright-Jackson said he received a call from a fan who said Internet message boards were trying to portray him and Green at being at odds.

Not true, Wright-Jackson said.

"Are you serious?" Wright-Jackson told the caller. "I don't appreciate that talk. We're close. The running back corps is close. Alex and I are looking out for the team. We'll help each other out, do anything to make the team better. We both bleed green for Hawai 'i."

Jason writes about the UH offensive line paving the way.

The success of the ground game could give New Mexico State (3-6, 1-3) something else to think about heading into this week's game at Aloha Stadium.

Looking at the numbers, Shaw might have flashed back to his days as an assistant at Minnesota, coaching an offensive line that plowed the road for a prolific Big Ten running game.

Hawaii had thrown the ball on 68 percent of its 520 offensive plays entering Saturday's game and averaged a little more than 20 running plays per game.

The Warriors attempted 38 throws against Utah State while running the ball 37 times as they (gasp) picked up more yards on the ground than through the air.

"They love it," Shaw said of the Warriors' line. "They're down there just as happy as clams."

Wade Denniston of the Herald Journal reviews the game from the Utah State perspective.

Dave Reardon writes about the Warriors' renewed confidence.

One win can make you forget about six losses. It's all about confidence, the way the Hawaii players feel now they will never lose another football game.

Doesn't matter the spark was against lousy Utah State. Ask the 1999 Rainbows. All it took was a win over Eastern Illinois, and they were off to the races and a bowl game after 0-12 the year before.

Is a successful run to the Hawaii Bowl possible? Not in my mind, probably not in yours. Coaches won't say, but they're old, they're pragmatic.

Players? They're young, they believe. And a guy like Greg Salas was around in 2007 when the Warriors rose from apparently mortal wounds in four games.

"It's very realistic. I think this team never loses hope," Salas said.

Among the believers out there is Hawaii Bowl director David Matlin.

Twice in the Hawai 'i Bowl's seven previous years the Warriors have gone into December before their bowl status was clarified. Four times they've taken the issue to Thanksgiving — or beyond.

Saturday night's 49-36 victory over Utah State held open the possibility of another such stretch run since the 3-6 Warriors must win all four remaining games to become bowl eligible and earn the WAC berth that is on hold for them in the Dec. 24 game at Aloha Stadium.

"My wife, Dana, usually manages me pretty well this time of the year," Matlin said.

Still, when there can be a swing difference of, on average, approximately 16,000 fans and $570,000 riding on whether UH appears in the Hawai 'i Bowl, Matlin is, understandably, excitable.

New Mexico State Sports has a preview and game notes of this Saturday's UH-NMSU matchup.

And for UH fans on the mainland, the game will be on "Aggievision" as well as ESPN Gameplan and ESPN360.