Well … bring on Temple!

We’re joking, of course; it’s too late to book the once-eager Owls. Winning a game, finally, cures a lot of problems — but even in the wake of Hawaii’s 48-10 rout of Nevada-Las Vegas this remains a team we don’t need to see a 13th time.

Wrap it up with a senior night victory against South Alabama on Saturday and hit the recruiting trails, hard.

“We have a long way to go yet,” coach Norm Chow said.

When looking at UH’s schedule in the preseason, this one against the Rebels was among the games we all circled as a W for Chow’s first team, especially since UNLV’s road losing streak was already at 16 games. What some of us didn’t expect is that Hawaii would come into it at 1-9 and without a win against an FBS team.

Wounded Warriors, the real kind, spoke to the UH players before the game. Witnesses say this stirred up the home team like never before.

When the first three drops of Sean Schroeder’s passes were by UNLV defenders, we knew there was hope. With sustained drives on offense and plenty of three and outs on defense, Hawaii built a 31-0 halftime lead.

“What a relief,” said receiver and punt returner Scott Harding, who took one back for a touchdown in the second half; Warriors special teams came up large, too.

What if a couple of key plays had gone UH’s way earlier in the season? When Hawaii repeatedly made big mistakes at San Diego State and Air Force and against New Mexico at home it took them out of games they could have won with a bit more momentum and confidence.

WILL THIS SLOW down the Chow hounds, the critics certain that he’s unsuited for this job? While I would hope it would, many of them seem as stubborn as they claim Chow is about the way he wants to run a program despite repeated lopsided losses.

“worse thing that could happen to UH football. The I told u so will b out in mass, an we stay the course,” tweeted SAWarrior from San Antonio during Saturday’s rout.

Wait now, give Chow some time. What would’ve been better, LOSING 48-10?

WARRIORS PLAYERS thanked the Iraq and Afghanistan vets afterward. “We came through, We came through,” said cornerback Tony Grimes as he shook the hand of wheelchair-bound Daniel Meyer.

“What a great opportunity, and against my hometown team,” said Meyer, who added that he’s not a UNLV fan.

Will Gregory, aka “Commitment,” scored near the end, and his crisp salute from the end zone said it all.

“Wearing those patriotic uniforms is bringing them luck,” my friend Jeff Cabanlit in L.A. messaged.

We might not see Hawaii in red, white and blue again in a while, but I bet some players will cut a little swath of this jersey to tuck into a shoe in future games. Why not?

Warrior World finally got another W.

Will wonders never cease?

———
Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783 or on Twitter as @dave_reardon.