Kicks come up big on both sides

Brent Zuzo’s onside kick that he recovered near the end of the first half was just one of several kicks by both teams that were big in Nevada’s 30-20 win over Hawaii.

Of course, there was the 40-yard field goal Zuzo made to capitalize on his onside recovery, giving Nevada the momentum headed into intermission. He also made two more field goals in the second half.

Hawaii’s Rigo Sanchez was 2-for-2 with a 50-yarder for the game’s first points. He also made a 47-yarder in the third quarter.

Big game for Stubblefield

Second-year freshman wide receiver Devan Stubblefield scored both of Hawaii’s touchdowns, on receptions of 29 and 9 yards from Max Wittek. Stubblefield caught eight passes for 91 yards.

"He’s finally healthy," coach Norm Chow said. "He had a rough time coming back from the knee."

As a true freshman in 2014, Stubblefield suffered tears to his left ACL and meniscus on the first day of fall practice.

Another losing season looms

At 2-6, Hawaii is now one loss away from its fifth consecutive losing season and fourth under coach Norm Chow, who has an overall record of 10-35.

Athletic director David Matlin declined comment on Chow’s future as UH’s coach, but did say, "Another tough road loss. We need to get ready for the next game."

Chow’s five-year contract runs through next season. Chow is paid a $550,000 annual salary, but UH can buy out the remaining year of his contract for $200,000.

Chow said he has not had any meetings with Matlin to specifically discuss his future. Matlin said he meets with Chow on a weekly basis, but that has always been the case.

Nevada’s ‘Monster’ piles it on

Nevada running back Don Jackson was asked to describe his fellow running back James Butler.

"Monster," he said. "He’s a monster. That’s all."

Butler rushed for a punishing 134 yards on 28 carries as the Wolf Pack piled up 244 yards on the ground. Offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich, a Hawaii graduate, drew up a game plan intended to grind up the Warriors defense. By the second half, Butler and his mates were having their way.

One run in particular summed up Butler’s dominance. On second-and-10 at the Hawaii 48, Butler took a handoff for what looked like a short gain. But he kept bulling through the contact, eventually making it look like a rugby scrum. He ended up gaining 10 yards and a first down on a drive that ended in a touchdown that tied the game at 20-20.

"I cannot say how proud of James Butler I am," Wolf Pack coach Brian Polian said. "All of his yards were really tough yards. There were not a lot of plays out in space where he got popped and nobody touched him. He was moving piles, he was creating yards after contact."

Said Butler, when asked if he was a monster, "I’m just a little guy trying to hide behind my linemen."