Interim head coach Chris Naeole wants the University of Hawaii football players to feel the pain.
"I challenged them after the game," Naeole said of the Rainbow Warriors’ 41-21 loss to UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday night. "We have to make plays. I’m tired of losing. It has to be ingrained in them that they’re tired of losing, too. It has to hurt so bad."
The Warriors’ fingerprints were all over their seventh consecutive loss. More than 40,000 miles of travel resulted in zero victories in six road games this season.
"Like I told the kids, playmakers just have to make plays," Naeole said.
The Warriors dropped five wide-open passes. Dylan Collie, a usually sure-handed slotback, failed to secure three passes, including one on fourth down. Running back Paul Harris rushed for 190 yards, but lost two fumbles, including one after an 8-yard gain. Ikaika Woolsey, making his second start of the season, was intercepted on a pass he should have intentionally discarded.
"It’s hard to call plays, especially with the drops," Naeole said. "The drops came on crucial downs."
The Rebels rolled up 547 yards. Keith Whitely rushed for 124 yards, and freshman Lexington Thomas added 120. Aaron Criswell scored on an 85-yard pass when a safety missed the bump in the bump-and-run coverage. Devonte Boyd had a 75-yard catch-and-score play when a cornerback mistimed his jump.
"I thought there were times we played pretty well, and there were times we didn’t play very well," defensive coordinator Tom Mason said.
Mason recalled the Rebels converting on a second-and-19 play. "We had them," Mason said, "and we don’t tackle. You’ve got to play football, and we didn’t play football."
Still, Naeole said, "I’m proud of these guys."
He added: "The kids did an exceptional job traveling. There were no problems on the trip. It was pretty smooth. The guys took care of business. Everybody was on time. I couldn’t ask for anything more."
Naeole said it had been a "whirlwind week." Norm Chow was dismissed as UH head coach on Nov. 1 after amassing a 10-36 record in four seasons. Naeole was named interim head coach that afternoon.
Naeole said he sought advice from other coaches. He also consulted with a referee on the protocol for addressing officials during a game.
Naeole said it was an "eye-opening experience" dealing with administrative work, preparing and leading meetings, and overseeing the different positions. Focusing on "every little detail," Naeole said, "was the overwhelming factor this first week."
