Center of attention

A late addition to the Hawaii roster, Brenden Urban took over at center in place of an injured Kody Afusia during UH’s second drive of the game.

Afusia, a senior, hurt his hand in the first quarter and Urban stepped in despite having one day of practice leading up to Saturday’s game.

Urban initially joined the program in 2012 as a transfer from Adams State in Colorado and backed up high school teammate Ben Clarke at center. He didn’t see game action last year and considered not playing this season due to financial concerns. But he rejoined the team at the end of training camp and the coaching staff put him on scholarship.

"Brenden Urban should be the MVP of this game," UH quarterback Ikaika Woolsey said. "Honestly you look back, he wasn’t even on our team in fall camp, he was back home. He stepped up and he became a big-time leader tonight and someone I can definitely count on."

UH coach Norm Chow said the staff considered moving Clarke, who started at left tackle, back inside but decided to stick with Urban.

"(Offensive line coach Chris Naeole) felt better about Urban," Chow said. "We thought about moving Ben inside; then we’d have to make three or four changes. Chris felt it would be best to stay with Urban and I thought he did a good job."

Kikaha sets the tone

Former Kahuku defensive lineman Hau’oli Kikahaset the tone for Washington with four quarters of physical football.

The UW senior, who had 13 sacks last season, put Woolsey on his back for a sack on the second play of the game.

Playing the buck position in Washington’s new 3-4 defensive scheme under first-year coach Chris Petersen, Kikaha fought through constant double teams to finish with five tackles and a sack.

Washington’s defense held Hawaii to two field goals over the game’s final 48 minutes after falling behind 10-0.

It was Kikaha’s first game at Aloha Stadium since losing to Kamehameha in the title game of the Division I state tournament in 2009.

Maggitt shakes off big play by Ross

Washington burned Hawaii with a 91-yard post route for a touchdown by John Ross with 11:42 to play in the second quarter. One of the Rainbow Warriors singed in the immediate vicinity was senior cornerback Dee Maggitt, who unsuccessfully tried to chase down the speedy Ross the last few dozen yards.

"The big play they had all game was the post route I gave up … unacceptable," Maggitt said. "That was one of our things, not giving up the post. It was real tough. My teammates really rallied around me and told me it was good and whatnot, and we were going to fight back from it and we did."

Maggitt, of Tacoma, Wash., had interest in attending UW before landing at UH. He finished with five tackles.

"I was just excited that they were Top 25 and Pac-12, whatnot, and I feel like we really, really have a good team," he said. "So like the Washington thing, I didn’t really look into it too much. I just wanted to win."

Harding 1-man band for the Rainbows

It’s definitely gotten to the point where it’s not a fluke. Scott Harding‘s unorthodox and apparently indefensible punting style is still a major weapon for Hawaii. That’s especially true in a field-position game like what UH’s 17-16 loss to Washington evolved into.

Harding was inconsolable immediately after the defeat, but a few minutes later he could reflect on his seven punts for a 41.7-yard average — and minus-1 return yards — as a positive for UH.

"Every coach comes up to me after and says it’s a nightmare to scout, which is good for us," said Harding, whose punts caused three turnovers when they hit opponents last season.

He can roll to either side and kick effectively at the last second without getting the punt blocked, confusing return units.

His best effort Saturday was a 58-yarder that was downed at the Huskies’ 2. UH got the ball back after a three-and-out at the Washington 41 (with Harding providing a 4-yard return) and Tyler Hadden eventually kicked a 38-yard field goal for the only points of the third quarter.

Harding also caught five passes for 45 yards and returned two punts for 8 yards.

WARRIOR SCOREBOARD

TEAM STATISTICS

DEFENSIVE STATISTICS

WASHINGTON

HAWAII

TACKLES FOR LOSS-YARDS — Washington, Shelton 3-7, Kikaha 1-4, Qualls 1-3, Peters 1-2. Hawaii, Poti 1-16, Gener 1-2, Tulimasealii 1-2, Garcia-Williams 1-1.
SACKS-YARDS — Washington, Shelton 2-6, Kikaha 1-4. Hawaii, Poti 1-16.
INTERCEPTIONS — Washington, none. Hawaii, none.
KICKS BLOCKED — Washington, none. Hawaii, none.
QUARTERBACK HURRIES — Washington, none. Hawaii, Gener 2, Samia 2, Stevenson, Lataimua, Yap, Tulimasealii.

FIRST PERIOD

HAWAII
» Score: Joey Iosefa 1-yard run. Hadden kick.
» Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 3:28 elapsed time.
» Time: 11:32. Score: Hawaii 7, Washington 0.

HAWAII
» Score: Hadden 28-yard field goal.
» Drive: 18 plays, 79 yards, 6:19 elapsed time.
» Time: 3:22. Score: Hawaii 10, Washington 0.

WASHINGTON
» Score: John Ross 20-yard run. Cameron Van Winkle kick.
» Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 2:48 elapsed time.
» Time: 0:34. Score: Hawaii 10, Washington 7.

SECOND PERIOD

WASHINGTON
» Score: Ross 91-yard pass from Jeff Lindquist. Van Winkle kick.
» Drive: 1 plays, 91 yards, 0:12 elapsed time.
» Time: 11:42. Score: Washington 14, Hawaii 10.

WASHINGTON
» Score: Van Winkle 36-yard field goal.
» Drive: 16 plays, 56 yards, 6:18 elapsed time.
» Time: 4:23. Score: Washington 17, Hawaii 10.

THIRD PERIOD

HAWAII
» Score: Hadden 38-yard field goal.
» Drive: 6 plays, 21 yards, 1:57 elapsed time.
» Time: 9:45. Score: Washington 17, Hawaii 13.

FOURTH PERIOD

HAWAII
» Score: Hadden 27-yard field goal.
» Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 1:22 elapsed time.
» Time: 12:42. Score: Washington 17, Hawaii 16.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

WASHINGTON

HAWAII

ENLARGE CHART