Rainbow Warrior Notebook

Graham among Rainbows injured

The Hawaii football team will learn the severity of injuries to key players as early as this evening.

Quarterback Taylor Graham said he suffered an injury to his left (nonthrowing) shoulder when he was hit at the end of a second-quarter keeper. He remained in the game for the next play, a fourth-down incompletion.

Running back Joey Iosefa apparently aggravated his left foot. Iosefa suffered a fracture in July, but was cleared to play two weeks ago. He was on the travel roster for the Sept. 7 Oregon State game, but did not play.

This past week, Iosefa said he occasionally felt some discomfort in his left foot. His reps were limited in practice. He might have aggravated his foot when he was gang-tackled on UH’s first drive.

There is an initial concern that linebacker Julian Gener, who suffered an elbow injury, might miss an extended period.

Running back Diocemy Saint Juste did not play in the fourth quarter because of some tightness in his left hamstring. It does not appear the ailment will prevent him from playing in this coming Saturday’s game against Fresno State.

Tight end Harold Moleni and defensive end Beau Yap will be re-examined this week after suffering concussion-like symptoms. Each summer, players take what is called a baseline test. After suffering a concussion, they are tested again. A player is cleared if the re-test scores are comparable to the initial baseline results.

Hawaii’s struggles on road extended

This was Hawaii’s ninth consecutive road loss and eighth under second-year head coach Norm Chow.

The last time UH won on the road was 2011 against Idaho.

Offensive line has mixed results

It was a mixed bag for the UH offensive line, which blocked for a season-high 133 rushing yards — including 121 in the first half, but also played a part in four sacks and several of Hawaii’s 10 penalties for 75 yards.

"It comes down to beating ourselves," starting center Ben Clarke said. "We were in a good spot to make plays and change the game but couldn’t finish."

Hardy-Tuliau: QB switch a nonfactor

Hawaii outgained Nevada by 36 yards, but six UH turnovers and the Wolf Pack making big plays on offense when needed made the difference.

UH senior safety John Hardy-Tuliau said the uncertainty of whether Cody Fajardo or backup Tyler Stewart would start at quarterback did not figure into the outcome.

"No, we prepared for either. We knew what to expect," Hardy-Tuliau said. "You have to credit Nevada because they made more plays than us."

But Chow said they were plays the Warriors could have prevented.

"We made some mistakes on defense early and gave that kid confidence. Other than the QB that’s a seasoned veteran team."

Hekking dominant for Wolf Pack

Nevada defensive end Brock Hekking had three of the Wolf Pack’s four sacks and forced a fumble on the final one when he wrapped up backup quarterback Jeremy Higgins in the fourth quarter and knocked the ball loose. Jordan Hanson recovered — one of six turnovers forced on the night.

"Without looking at tape, just watching it from the sideline, I don’t know if anybody else in the league played as well as Hekking did tonight," Nevada coach Brian Polian said.

"We’re certainly going to nominate him for Mountain West Conference defensive player of the week. If that production can’t get it done, somebody else had a heck of a day."

Hekking sports one of the best mullets this side of 1982, a blonde thing of beauty that he accentuates during press conferences with a white headband.