Win over Colorado could prove pivotal for bowl hopes

They hung on, and Hawaii can celebrate a 28-20 season-opening win Thursday against Colorado — if for just a few days. But that good feeling will be back again, two weeks from Saturday.

As expected, the Rainbow Warriors are improved and should compete in the Mountain West.

That comes later. Right now, Ohio State looms … but then there’s UC Davis at home. Want a sure bet? UH will be 2-1 in a couple of weeks.

There were some nervous moments at the end, but Hawaii beat a Power Five conference team … at least in name. Unfortunately, there are no others as bad as Colorado left on its schedule. The Buffaloes haven’t enjoyed a winning season in nine years, four more than UH.

Now comes the hard part, road games against three ranked teams in the next four weeks.

For the long-term — meaning the conference season and overall — there is plenty to be encouraged about. Many considered this the fulcrum game, quite possibly the difference between 7-6 and the Hawaii Bowl and 6-7 and questions about whether Norm Chow should be kept on after four losing seasons.

The first 10 minutes Thursday was some of the best football Hawaii has played in a long time, and the Warriors were better than the visitors at other key junctures.

Defense and special teams, and enough offense to score on a short field got UH going early. It wasn’t a long march, but they scored first, and dominated the other two phases early.

It was obvious which team was ready to play. And it wasn’t the 7 1/2-point favorite from the big, bad Pac-12.

Keelan Ewaliko has the kind of speed where you have to find ways to use him. On this night it was blocking a punt.

The Max Wittek to Quinton Pedroza connection clicked, as it did all spring and summer. This time — their first chance to show it in an actual game — they hooked up for a touchdown and a 2-point conversion.

Luke Shawley then came up with a big first-down sack, and Colorado didn’t get a first down until its third series.

Receiver Marcus Kemp is so improved from the beginning of last year it’s hard to believe he’s the same guy. Paul Harris looks like he might be the answer at running back. He hits the hole quickly, and with confidence.

Too bad more fans didn’t get to see the first season-opening win in four years (also against Colorado) in person.

There was a big walk-up for this game. Fans walking up to their refrigerators, walking up to their sofas. At home.

But walking up to the ticket booths at Aloha Stadium?

Not much. At all. The 19,511 was the smallest gathering to attend a UH opener at this facility, since it opened in 1976.

UH athletic director David Matlin was stuck with this one — it was his predecessor Ben Jay who decided Thursday instead of Saturday would be a good idea. It’s actually almost as bad as starting school in July with no air conditioning.

And on a day when the UH band performed a tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire, the elements also helped make sure only the hardiest of fans saw the game live, in person.

Maybe it was Mother Nature’s way of reinforcing that it never should have been moved.

All during camp, the question was, "How are they going to be?" With all the rain early on game-day — and the promise of a late finish on a week night — it became, "What channel is it on?"

The die-hards showed, though, a few even when the gates opened at 2 p.m., despite the torrents and the comforts of home.

"There should be no (live) TV unless they can make some decent money off of it," said Will Gifford of Nanakuli, who arrived early and braved the storm to watch his nephew, defensive lineman Ka’aumoana Gifford, play in his first game.

"You need people to show up and bring in revenue," he added.

Bray Kapiko of Kaneohe just knew it was the season opener, and he wasn’t going to miss it.

"No doubt at all. I’ve been coming since the (Fred) vonAppen days and a little rain isn’t going to stop me now. Rain, shine, thunder, lightning."

Others had those, and all kinds of other reasons to not attend this opener. Regardless what happens at Ohio State a week from Saturday, this win gives them one less excuse for Sept. 19. Those who came to this one were rewarded with a rainless evening.

And a win.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at hawaiiwarriorworld.com/quick-reads.