Five big plays from Hawaii’s 45-34 win over New Mexico State

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JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Hawaii quarterback Bryant Moniz waltzed into the end zone untouched late in the second quarter.

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1. Flagged

» Situation: New Mexico State 0, Hawaii 0, 10:16 remaining, first quarter, New Mexico State ball, second and 10 at New Mexico State 32

» The Play: RB Kenny Turner runs for what initially appears to be a 61-yard gain to the Hawaii 17. But the play is called back for an illegal block 9 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.

» Impact: This is one of eight New Mexico State penalties for 63 yards. Hawaii is assessed twice for 10 yards. The net 6-yard loss eventually forces a punt. Hawaii opens the scoring on its next possession with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Bryant Moniz to Justin Clapp, and never trails.

» Clapp: “It was a great throw. The throw was exactly what I needed.”

2. Special

» Situation: Hawaii 7, New Mexico State 0, 1:55 remaining, first quarter, New Mexico State ball, fourth and 9 at New Mexico State 37

» The Play: John Hardy-Tuliau blocks Jake Capraro’s punt. Kamalani Alo recovers and runs 13 yards for a touchdown.

» Impact: Hawaii, which has suffered from highly visible special teams mistakes for much of the season, scores on a blocked punt for the first time in 10 years.

» Alo: “My eyes got big. That was probably the fastest I’ve run this season.”

3. Draw

» Situation: Hawaii 21, New Mexico State 14, 0:38 remaining, second quarter, Hawaii ball, first and 10 at New Mexico State 17

» The Play: Moniz runs untouched 17 yards for a touchdown on a draw play.

» Impact: Hawaii goes into halftime with a 27-14 lead and New Mexico State never gets closer until its final touchdown with 1:45 left in the game.

» Moniz: “It just so happened it was wide open. It was a great scene, to look downfield and see nobody. It’s lovely.”

4. Debut

» Situation: Hawaii 33, New Mexico State 20, 11:55 remaining, fourth quarter, Hawaii ball, first and 10 at New Mexico State 41

» The Play: Moniz finds WR Trevor Davis deep down the left sideline for a 40-yard gain.

» Impact: On the next play, RB Joey Iosefa rushes 1 yard for his second touchdown of the game. Davis, a highly regarded true freshman, was activated for this game because of injuries to Hawaii’s primary wideouts. He caught two passes for 48 yards.

» Davis: “The first snap my legs were kind of shaking, but I was OK after that.”

5. Sterling

» Situation: Hawaii 39, New Mexico State 26, 8:40 remaining, fourth quarter, Hawaii ball, first and 10 at Hawaii 42

» The Play: RB Sterling Jackson bolts for 38 yards to the New Mexico State 20.

» Impact: Three plays later, Moniz rushes for 19 yards and his second touchdown, giving Hawaii a 19-point lead with 6:59 left in the game. Hawaii netted 227 rushing yards. Jackson, who had been hampered by shoulder injuries, accounted for 75 yards on 11 carries.

» Running backs coach Brian Smith: “(Jackson) definitely has a burst other guys don’t. He’s been a bit banged up, but he’s healthy now and he got some good opportunities. For him it’s just a matter of getting the reps.”