SYDNEY >> Three University of Hawaii football players who were not in Australia for UH’s 51-31 loss to Cal on Friday due to breaking team rules might play at Michigan on Sept. 3, coach Nick Rolovich said after the Sydney Cup at ANZ Stadium.
Outside linebacker Jerrol Garcia-Williams, tight end Tui Unga and safety Daniel Lewis were expected to contribute on the field in UH’s season opener.
But Garcia-Williams and Unga never made it onto the team charter from Honolulu last week and Lewis was sent home from Sydney for violations.
“We could have used them today, but they’ll be back,” Rolovich said.
Garcia-Williams, a senior, was listed as the first backup to starting weak-side linebacker Russell Williams. Lewis, a junior, was listed as a starting safety. Unga, a junior, was listed as the No. 2 behind Dakota Torres.
Trayvon Henderson, the other starting safety, led UH along with linebacker Jahlani Tavai with 12 tackles each. Damien Packer, who started in place of Lewis, was in on 10 stops.
Williams had five tackles and Torres caught one pass for 4 yards.
She said yes
Despite the score, it was a happy occasion for at least two folks wearing UH gear.
Emma Allen accepted Benjie Sacchetta’s proposal of marriage on the field during halftime.
Join the club
Nick Rolovich is the fifth straight UH head coach to drop his debut. Prior to Rolovich were Norm Chow (2012, USC 49-10), Greg McMackin (2008, at Florida 56-10), June Jones (1999, USC 62-7) and Fred von Appen (1996, Boston College 24-21).
Bob Wagner was the last head coach to win his first game (1987, Cal State Fullerton 44-0).
Historic defensive woes
The 51 points surrendered by UH were the most in an opener since a 56-10 loss at Florida in 2008.
Cal’s 630 yards of total offense was the highest output by a UH opponent since Wyoming racked up a school-record 793 yards in 2013.
The 441 passing yards by Cal’s Davis Webb were the most by an opposing quarterback since Wyoming’s Brett Smith (498) in 2013.
Buffanblu Bears
Sophomore Kanawai Noa made a nice diving catch to set up Cal’s touchdown right before the end of the first half that made the score 34-14 at the break.
Freshman offensive lineman Semisi Uluave, Noa’s teammate at Punahou, also got into the game.
Quick departure
The Hawaii travel party of nearly 200 left to return to the islands immediately after the game on a Hawaiian Airlines charter.
The Rainbow Warriors leave for Michigan on Thursday, back to their usual complement of 64 players. That will also be a Hawaiian Airlines charter.
Bears off to San Diego
Cal’s next opponent is UH’s fellow Mountain West member San Diego State. They meet Sept. 10 at Qualcomm Stadium.
