Destiny turned to dirty somewhere along the way

Not that long ago there was a University of Hawaii football team that barely beat four opponents with losing records (and, by any other definition, would not be considered "good" teams).

Two of the squeakers went to overtime and another required a last-minute field goal on the road — kind of like Saturday’s narrow escape from the Kibbie Dome, which required Kenton Chun’s 35-yard field goal with 32 seconds left. Except Dan Kelly was forced to kick the game-winner twice at Nevada in 2007. That extra bit of drama was matched by UH fans having to hold their breath while Idaho missed its last gasp try from 53 yards.

But, of course, it’s just not the same now.

Back then a win was a win … another on the way to 12-0 — and especially sweet on the road. Didn’t matter how close. Didn’t matter how lousy the opponent, didn’t matter how many mistakes UH made on the way to it. Remember how many interceptions Colt Brennan threw at the Kibbie Dome? Five. But the Warriors won the game.

It was all about taking care of business one week at a time. The theme was "believe," and there were those who thought there was something mystical at work. How else to explain so many improbable comebacks? There were too many of them to call it luck, right?

IF YOU TAKE a step back and just look at the win-loss record of 5-3 overall and 3-1 in conference, this UH team isn’t that far from where some of us expected it to be at this point. They were favored to win the WAC, but not by a landslide.

The Warriors have played like a team replacing nine starters on offense … inconsistently. Also as expected, quarterback Bryant Moniz has made a lot of big plays, some in the clutch. Those crying for a new starter at every miscue should remember that Shane Austin or David Graves would be operating with the same offensive teammates as Moniz.

"Some people would’ve taken him out of the ballgame," said coach Greg McMackin in postgame on the radio, when asked about the late drive Moniz engineered. "But he’s gotten us this far. And he did what Bryant Moniz does."

And the defense did what it does, too, forcing turnovers. Linebacker Corey Paredes gets a spot on my all-time tough-guy team; he keeps making big plays despite a knee injury that would have most guys on the sideline.

UH’S PROBLEMS on offense Saturday make a lot of fans nervous about the future as the Warriors head into the last five games of the regular season. But if I were a fan I’d be celebrating Chun’s field goal (as well as the other two by him and Tyler Hadden) and a defense that performed mightily in the clutch.

Yes, Hawaii taking a thorough pounding at UNLV was shocking. And the loss at San Jose State was a surprise since it looked like the Warriors had turned the corner with a big win at Louisiana Tech. Fans are airing their frustrations with the team’s inconsistency. Some see a downward trend and fear for the weeks and years ahead despite three wins in the last four games.

I say give it a rest and celebrate a dramatic, gutty win. This team is far from perfect, but it did what it needed to do Saturday. My guess is the biggest complainers bet on Hawaii to cover the spread; if that’s the case, it’s your problem.