21

winner

Hawaii
HAW

4-5, 2-2

20

Fresno St.
FST

5-4, 3-2

winner

21

20

Points by quarters

team	1	2	3	4	F
HAW Hawaii	7	0	0	14	21
FST Fresno St.	7	6	7	0	20

Match Review: Football | 02/11/2024

FRESNO, Calif. – A story of redemption added an unforgettable chapter to the history of the University of Hawai'i football program's longest-running rivalry.

Just moments after he lost a fumble that seemed to end Hawaii's hopes of a comeback in UH's 56th meeting with wide receiver Fresno State Nick Cenacle caught a touchdown pass with 15 seconds left to help the Rainbow Warriors to a stunning 21-20 Mountain West victory over the host Bulldogs on Saturday at Valley Children's Stadium in Fresno, Calif.

The 3-yard reception from Brayden Schager marked a career day for Cenacle, who caught 12 passes for 113 yards and received both touchdown passes from Schager in the fourth quarter as the Warriors (4-5, 2-2 MW) erased a 13-point deficit in the final period . Kansei Matsuzawa The extra point gave the Warriors the lead and gave it up Timmy Chang the second road win of his UH coaching career.

The fourth-quarter rally was UH's largest since a comeback from a 14-point deficit against Fresno State on Oct. 2, 2021 in Mānoa.

The UH defense provided fuel for the rally by forcing Fresno State punts on seven consecutive possessions while holding the Bulldogs (5-4, 3-2 MW) to 191 yards of total offense, with just 67 yards in the second half came.

Elijah Robinson Committed three of UH's 10 tackles for loss, including two sacks, and UH limited the Bulldogs to 19 rushing yards. Jalen Smiths Sack on third down late in the fourth quarter forced Fresno State's final punt and set the stage for a dramatic final 90 seconds. Cornerback Cam Stones Blocking an extra point attempt made the difference in the game.

Tylan Hines' Fair Catch initiated the UH offense at the Fresno State 47 with 1:30 left. Schager completed an 8-yard pass Jonah Panoke And Landon Sims A 6-yard run followed. Cenacle's 11-yard reception then moved UH to the Bulldogs' 18 yards. After three incomplete passes, a pass interference call on fourth down kept the Warriors alive at the Bulldogs' 3. On third down, Schager rolled right and scored on a wide-open cenacle that sprinted to the corner for the game-winning touchdown, and Matsuzawa's kick gave UH its first lead since the first quarter.

The result wasn't officially decided until a timeout ended in :00 and the Warriors stuffed Fresno State's final hook and ladder.


Schager finished the game 29-for-53 for 244 yards and three touchdowns. The Warriors defeated two Fresno State takeaways that allowed Bulldog touchdowns. The first was a fumble that resulted in a turnover on downs in UH ​​territory, which Fresno State converted into a go-ahead touchdown early in the second quarter.


UH took the opening kickoff and held the ball for more than half of the first quarter with a 14-play, 75-yard march with 7:48 left. Schager went 6 of 7 and converted a third down with a 6-yard run to extend the drive. Schager connected with Pofele Ashlock with a 5-yard touchdown pass to give the Warriors the lead at 7:12 of the opening period.


Fresno State responded with a long drive of its own and the Warriors appeared to force a fumble deep in UH ​​territory. But the play was negated by a penalty and the Bulldogs scored on the next play after a 10-yard run by Elijah Gilliam.


UH converted a fourth down on its next possession, but a second attempt on fourth-and-one resulted in a sack and a fumble that the Bulldogs recovered at the UH 28. Fresno State needed eight plays to complete with a 5-yard touchdown pass. Stone blocked the point-after-try and the 13-7 lead remained as the teams headed into halftime.


The UH defense forced the Bulldogs into three-pointers twice early in the third quarter and the offense prepared a push into Fresno State territory. But on a third-and-16, Schager's pass was intercepted by Phoenix Jackson, who returned it 89 yards for a touchdown, extending the Bulldogs' lead to 20-7.


The defense forced a fifth straight punt and this time the Warrior offense capitalized on the opportunity with a 12-play, 87-yard march that nearly equaled a touchdown. A targeting call on Fresno State extended the drive and Schager escaped left and hit a wide-open Cenacle in the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown pass with 9:04 left.


The Warriors made another stop and regained possession with 6:58 left. UH converted on two third downs and drove into Fresno State territory. Facing a third-and-5 after the two-minute timeout, Schager connected with Cenacle advancing past the first-down marker. But Jackson hit the ball free and the Bulldogs recovered from the threat, at least for now, until the end.


Smith's sack on third down brought the Bulldogs back to their 9 and forced Fresno State's seventh punt to set up the decisive final drive.


The Rainbow Warriors return to the Clarence TC Ching Complex to face UNLV on Saturday, November 9th. The Warriors and Rebels will play for the Island Showdown Trophy in the nationally televised game on CBS Sports Network. Kick-off is at 4 p.m

 

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