The University of Hawaii experienced its first road victory in three years this past Saturday in San Jose.
The Warriors then experienced unexpected extra time in San Jose, Calif.
On Sunday morning, the Warriors were traveling on a commercial airplane that incurred mechanical problems 90 minutes into a flight to Honolulu. The plane then made a U-turn, heading back to San Jose International Airport.
The Warriors then went back to the hotel where they had stayed in preparation for the past Saturday’s road game against San Jose State. In that game, the Warriors withstood seven drives inside their 25 for a 13-0 victory, ending a 17-game road losing streak dating to Oct 29, 2011.
The Warriors were scheduled to depart San Jose — again — at midnight, and arrive in Honolulu at 3:45 a.m. on Monday.
That will alter the Warriors’ usual agenda. On Mondays, the Warriors review videos of the previous game, attend meetings and participate in conditioning drills. On Mondays after victories, the Warriors are served omelets as part of the training table.
Two weeks ago, the Warriors dedicated the remainder of the season to the 20 seniors, many of whom were holdovers from Greg McMackin’s tenure as head coach. McMackin was forced to retire at the end of the 2011 season.
"They’ve been through a lot of adversity," sophomore quarterback Ikaika Woolsey said of the seniors.
"The last time they had a (road) win was when they were redshirt freshmen. This win was definitely for them. I told them I love them (and) this was for them."
Woolsey acknowledged the Warriors endured criticism in losing eight of their first 10 games this season.
"We never quit," Woolsey said. "When adversity hits, we keep moving and taking our blows. We try to stay positive."
Despite a 2-4 record in the Mountain West, the Warriors still have a mathematical chance to win the league’s West Division and compete in the conference’s title game.
To qualify, the Warriors would need to win their final two regular-season games while San Diego State (3-3) and Nevada (3-3) each lose their last two games. San Diego State has Air Force and San Jose State remaining on the scheduled. Nevada closes against Fresno State and UNLV.
The Warriors play UNLV this Saturday in their final home game of the season. The Warriors go to Fresno State on Nov 29.
That will mark the first time in the program’s 98-season history that the Warriors will end the regular season on the road.
