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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hawaii wide receiver John Ursua scored the game-winning touchdown, Nov. 17, against UNLV.
University of Hawaii receiver John Ursua came back from a season-ending knee injury a year ago to be named to the 2018 All-Mountain West Conference first team.
The league’s all-stars were announced today. Ursua was the Rainbow Warriors’ only representative on the first team.
Kaimana Padello, who plays the hybrid linebacker/end position, was selected to the second team.
Quarterback Cole McDonald, linebacker Jahlani Tavai, defensive end Zeno Choi, cornerback Rojesterman Farris II and offensive lineman Solo Vaipulu received honorable mention.
After successfully completing rehabilitation for the torn ACL in his right knee, Ursua, a fourth-year junior, was fully cleared to compete in contact drills this summer. Ursua has aligned as a slotback, wideout and wildcat in the Warriors’ newly renovated offense featuring mostly run-and-shoot concepts. In 13 regular-season games, Ursua caught 89 passes for 1,342 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also rushed for a TD.
Ursua is the national leader in touchdown receptions, and is fifth in receiving yards and total touchdowns (17), and 10th in receiving yards per game (103.3).
Padello, a junior who is optimistically listed at 6 feet and 227 pounds, leads the Warriors in tackles for loss (11.5) and sacks (7.5).
McDonald, a third-year sophomore, is having the statistically best season among Mountain West quarterbacks. McDonald is fifth nationally in passing yards (3,790), passing yards per game (315.8) and total offense (346.7); sixth in points responsible for (240); seventh in passing touchdowns (35) and points responsible for per game (20.0), and 10th in completions per game. McDonald did not start a game in his first two UH seasons. This was his first year operating a run-and-shoot offense.
Tavai’s season was abbreviated because of season-ending shoulder injury. In eight games, he amassed 81 tackles. He finished his UH career with the second-most tackles (391) in the program’s history.
Choi, a senior co-captain, is a multi-skilled linemen who can play end or tackle. He initially joined the Warriors as a walk-on.
Farris, a junior, is a shut-down corner who leads the Warriors with 11 pass breakups and 12 passes defended.
Vaipulu is a true freshman who has started all 13 UH games.
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