On a night without a singular standout performance, the collective efforts of the Hawaii offense produced enough to send the Warriors to a bounce-back win.
The Warriors spread the ball around and posted their second-highest scoring and yardage totals of the season in a 45-34 Western Athletic Conference win over New Mexico State on Saturday at Aloha Stadium.
UH quarterback Bryant Moniz distributed the ball to 10 different receivers in completing 24 of 39 passes for 264 yards. Senior wideout Royce Pollard was the busiest of the batch with seven catches, and slotback Justin Clapp’s 57 yards represented the game high as UH went without a 100-yard receiving performance for the first time since the opener against Colorado.
"We knew were going to have to beat man (coverage) and everybody had their shots and opportunities to do that," said Pollard, who was limited in practice during the week due to a sore hamstring. "When we spread it around, that’s the positive of our offense."
The Warriors also posted season highs on the ground with 37 rushes for 227 yards and four touchdowns, with Joey Iosefa leading the way with 90 yards and two scores.
"We’re just going with what we have right now," UH offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich said. "This year, it’s probably going to take more than 11 (players) every game to get wins. So they all prepared mentally for that.
"The O-line, a bunch of guys are playing. Running backs, we’re playing two mostly. Receivers we have a group of six who can rotate in. They all know to be ready."
The Warriors rolled up 503 yards in total offense despite an often staccato rhythm to the game.
"Their defense was tough and we weren’t able to march down every drive, but we were able to stick together throughout the game and make enough plays to get us into the end zone," said Moniz, who threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more.
In last year’s matchup with the Aggies, running back Alex Green was the focal point in running for a school-record 327 yards.
The Warriors again found success on the ground against NMSU’ man-based schemes, with Iosefa breaking loose for a 39-yard gain and an 18-yard touchdown blast up the middle. Sterling Jackson complemented Iosefa with 75 yards with a long of 38.
"They are a man-based team, so that does leave some things at the second level if you can run the ball," Rolovich said.
One of those times came in the final minute of the second quarter. After NMSU closed to 21-14, UH moved to the NMSU 17, when Rolovich dialed up a quarterback draw for the first time this season.
The middle opened up for Moniz, who bolted into the end zone and UH led by at least two scores the rest of the way.
"Rolo does a great job at finding things that will work and it was a great call," Moniz said. "It just so happened it was wide open. It was a great scene, to look downfield and see nobody. It’s lovely."
