1. Fourth-down stop
>> The setup: Hawaii 0, Colorado 0, 5:26 remaining, first quarter, Colorado ball, fourth-and-2 at Hawaii 40
>> The play: DE Kennedy Tulimasealii disrupts the play in the back field and DE Luke Shawley makes the tackle to stop RB Phillip Lindsey for a 1-yard run and short of the first down.
>> The impact: Hawaii took over and drove to the Colorado 17. Tyler Hadden kicked a 35-yard field goal for the first score of the game.
>> Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufao: "We were ready for everything they did. We just didn’t execute."
2. Quick strike
>> The setup: Hawaii 3, Colorado 0, 2:57 remaining, first quarter, Hawaii ball, third-and-7 at Colorado 21
>> The play: Liufau finds WR Nelson Spruce deep, Spruce hauls in the pass and beats CB Dee Maggitt to the end zone.
>> The impact: Colorado took advantage of its speed to convert a big play and score the first touchdown of the game. Spruce set school records with 13 receptions and by catching a touchdown pass in his sixth consecutive game.
>> Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre: "I look forward to him breaking every record there ever was at Colorado over the next two years."
3. TDs for FGs
>> The setup: Colorado 7, Hawaii 6, 9:14 remaining, second quarter, Colorado ball, third-and-16 at Hawaii 5
>> The play: With plenty of time, Liufao finds D.D. Goodson for 26 yards and a first down.
>> The impact: On the next play, Shay Fields ran for a 13-yard touchdown and Colorado extended its lead to 14-6.
>> Hawaii defensive coordinator Kevin Clune: "If the offense scores 12 we have to hold them to 11. That’s our job."
4. Higgins
>> The setup: Colorado 21, Hawaii 6, 14:47 remaining, third quarter, Hawaii ball, first-and-10 at Hawaii 26
>> The play: QB Jeremy Higgins starts the second half, replacing Ikaika Woolsey, and immediately throws a 32-yard completion to WR Marcus Kemp.
>> The impact: Higgins came off the bench and gave the offense a spark, but it lasted only briefly as Hawaii scored just six points on two third-quarter field goals. He injured his throwing hand and left the game in the fourth quarter.
>> Higgins: "I felt throwing made (the injury) worse. … We have to be able to finish drives. That comes with preparation. We were moving it up and down and then stall out."
5. Dead zone
>> The setup: Colorado 21, Hawaii 9, 7:48 remaining, third quarter, Hawaii ball, fourth-and-9 at Colorado 6
>> The play: Tyler Hadden kicks a 24-yard field goal, his fourth of the game.
>> The impact: LB TJ Taimatuia had intercepted a pass and returned it to the Colorado 7. But the offense moved the ball just 1 yard in the next three plays, forcing the field goal. Hawaii has scored just six touchdowns on 17 trips to the red zone.
>> Kemp: "I felt like we let the defense down. … We didn’t do enough to help them out."