Gregory nearly breaks 100
In the week leading up to Saturday’s game against New Mexico, Hawaii running back Will Gregory said he was looking to "bust some big runs and go over a hundred."
He accomplished the first part with two second-quarter runs that snapped the UH offense out of the doldrums. He came up just short of the other, finishing with 99 yards, his highest total of his freshman season.
Gregory gave UH its longest runs of the season with 32- and 36-yard scampers on two of his first three carries of the game.
One more yard might have helped the Warriors creep closer to the Lobos after falling behind early. With UH trailing 21-10, Gregory carried the ball six times for 25 yards on UH’s first drive of the third quarter. But he was stopped for no gain on fourth and 1 at the New Mexico 5.
"That was hard not getting that first down," Gregory said. "We needed that."
Stutzmann back in Aloha Stadium
UH receiver Billy Ray Stutzmann played his first home game since last year’s season finale against BYU. The junior missed the Warriors’ first two home games due to a broken hand and caught a team-high six passes for 73 yards in his return to Aloha Stadium.
"It’s been nearly a year. It’s a little weird being back home in front of everyone," Stutzmann said. "At the same time it was fun being back home in front of my family and friends."
UH sophomore Trevor Davis, the Warriors’ leader in receiving yards entering the game, didn’t suit up after hurting his hamstring in warm-ups.
Hadden goes for career long
Sophomore kicker Tyler Hadden converted a career-best 49-yard field goal with 16 seconds left in the first half, bringing the Warriors to within 21-10 at intermission.
Hadden redeemed himself after missing from 39 yards earlier in the second quarter.
His previous best was 47 yards in Idaho’s Kibbie Dome on Oct. 29 last year.
The sophomore connected on two PATs to remain perfect in 14 attempts this year. He is 5-for-7 on field goals.
Shutter gets call — for just 1 snap
Junior Cayman Shutter, listed as the backup quarterback on the Hawaii depth chart, was indeed the first guy off the bench in UH’s only time of need.
Shutter spelled starter Sean Schroeder for one play after Schroeder took an illegal hit to the side of his helmet from junior Jacori Greer on Hawaii’s first offensive snap of the third quarter.
A new rule in college football this season forces any player that has his helmet come off on the field to sit out for at least one play.
Shutter handed the ball off to Gregory for a 4-yard gain before Schroeder took over on the next down.
UH loses turnover battle again
Hawaii lost the turnover battle for the fourth game in a row, as New Mexico recovered three Warriors fumbles and the Lobos did not lose the ball. Neither team threw an interception.
In Mountain West games UH, 0-3 in conference, has now turned it over eight times and gotten none in return.
In its five FBS losses, Hawaii is on the wrong end on turnovers 15-2.
"We’ve got to get back to fundamentals on the defensive side and we’ve got to force turnovers," said cornerback Mike Edwards, who lost a fumble on a kickoff return for the second game in a row after the opponents’ first touchdown.
