In last week’s 37-35 comeback victory over UNLV, quarterback Ikaika Woolsey’s approval ratings increased dramatically. 

Not only did he throw the winning touchdown pass to Marcus Kemp, Woolsey seized command of the offense. He made three accurate throws during the final drive — the lone incompletion struck tight end Tui Unga’s hands — and even called timeout to reassess what turned into the final UH play.

This season, head coach Norm Chow and quarterbacks coach Jordan Wynn have given Woolsey unabashed support. In the past couple of games, both victories, Woolsey no longer appears to be pressing. 

"I feel extremely comfortable," Woolsey said. "Coach Chow has instilled a lot of confidence in me. I try to play free and have a good time."

Woolsey, a third-year sophomore, has been fueled by his self-imposed responsibility to teammates, particularly the 23 seniors. 

"I have to play confident and do what I can to keep the seniors living out their dream, which is playing football," Woolsey said. 

The Warriors still have a chance to represent the West in the conference title game if UH, San Jose State and UNLV all win today. 

"We can handle what we can handle, and that’s trying to win this game," Woolsey said. "That’s our focus. We’ll see where the chips fall from there."

Iosefa is Mr. Efficiency

In three seasons as the wildcat, running back Joey Iosefa has completed four of seven passes for 71 yards and two touchdowns. He has not been intercepted. That equates to a pass-efficiency rating of 236.63. 

Iosefa has missed 12 games the past two seasons. He has kept fit with upper-body workouts. That has helped the high school quarterback maintain his arm strength. 

His two jump passes for touchdowns also date to high school. "I’m a volleyball player," Iosefa said.

Pasoquen catching on

As a Leilehua High senior, Ryan Pasoquen was given two choices: play receiver or safety. 

"I chose safety," Pasoquen said. 

Pasoquen joined the Warriors as a walk-on safety three years ago. He was the No. 1 nickelback in 2012 spring training before suffering a season-ending knee injury during training camp. This past summer, he moved to wideout. 

"I feel like a receiver now," said Pasoquen, who has started two games this year. "I can actually process more things before the plays."

Now Pasoquen might have a third option. Against UNLV, he fielded a pooch kickoff and ran 13 yards to set up the Warriors’ winning drive. 

"Hat’s off to Coach Demo," Pasoquen said of Chris Demarest, UH’s special teams coordinator. "He tells us what to do, and if we do it exactly how he tells us to do it, we’re going to see success."

Moleni the motivator

At halftime of the UNLV game, usually calm tight end Harold Moleni took out his frustrations on a locker-room chair. 

"I think I was a little bit disappointed in myself," Moleni said of his first-half play. "I got a little angry. That’s part of football, man."

Told that teammates were inspired to see him express his emotions, Moleni said: "That’s good. It depends on who you ask. If you ask my bishop, it’s bad."