Despite loss, UMass enjoyed the trip

It was an exotic location, but the end of the season was like the rest of it for Massachusetts.

The Minutemen took it down to the final minute, but lost to host Hawaii 46-40.

“It was definitely a strange 2-10 season,” junior tight end Adam Breneman said. “We don’t feel like we’re a 2-10 team.”

UMass also lost close games against Tulane, 31-24, and at South Carolina, 34-28.

It nearly pulled this one out, driving to the Hawaii 17 with time winding down, but then turned the ball over on downs with 1:05 left after a fourth-and-11 pass into the end zone was incomplete.

“Our guys fought, they fought all year,” coach Mark Whipple said. “But give Hawaii credit, they executed.”

Hawaii plays at UMass next season on Oct. 7.

“We know going into next year we’ve got a tough opponent,” said sophomore quarterback Andrew Ford, who completed 24 of 38 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns as the Minutemen produced the most points of any game for them this season.

The team spent a week in Hawaii before the game. At least five players were sent back to the mainland early for breaking team rules, according to sources. Other than that and the final score, it was a good week for UMass.

“My first time here. We were treated great,” Ford said. “And a good clean game.”

Penalties a problem for UH

Penalties plagued the Hawaii football team throughout the game, much to the chagrin of coach Nick Rolovich.

The Rainbow Warriors were penalized 12 times for 101 yards. By contrast, the Minutemen were flagged nine times for 85 yards. UH came in ranked No. 112 out of 128 Division I teams. The Warriors had 93 penalties for 788 yards for an average of 65.67 a game. Those numbers will rise a bit as UH finished the regular season with 105 penalties for 889 yards and an average of 68.38.

UMass’ Asante doing better

It was scary for a couple of minutes when UMass defensive end Enock Asante laid flat on his back in the middle of the field late in the third quarter.

Asante, a 6-foot-2, 291-pound senior, was taken out when he collided with a teammate in his attempt to sack Hawaii quarterback Dru Brown.

Members of both training staffs quickly tended to Asante, who dropped to the ground immediately after running into his teammate.

Every player for UMass gathered near the 50-yard line to take a knee next to their sideline.

After a few minutes, Asante was strapped to a board and carted off to the north end zone. He managed to raise his right hand and signal to his teammates, who had gathered to wish him well on the field.

“He was getting better on the ground,” Whipple said. “I haven’t heard yet (after the game). He was talking.”