In a game in which it never found a rhythm offensively and made multiple costly mental errors, the University of Hawai‘i football team suffered a 27-10 defeat at the University of Wyoming on Saturday.
The Rainbow Warriors fell to 1-3 in a year that began with palpable buzz, while the Cowboys improved to 2-2.
After both teams exchanged field goals to begin the first quarter, Wyoming began to systematically pull away from UH.
Another field goal, combined with a Markell Holman 1-yard rushing score, gave Wyoming a 13-3 lead at halftime.
The 'Bows got the ball to start the third quarter and shaved nearly 10 minutes off the clock but had nothing to show for it after turning the ball over on downs at the Wyoming 1. Hawai‘i appeared to force a Wyoming three-and-out and punt, but a costly mental error kept the drive going when two players wearing No. 8 in Tama Uiliata and Matteus Ioane took the field for the Rainbow Warriors. Two players wearing the same number in the same play is forbidden in college football, and Wyoming was gifted a first down.
Wyoming capped off the 99-yard drive with Holman's second touchdown of the day, an 18-yard touchdown run with 14:52 remaining that stretched the home lead to 20-3.
Hawai‘i cut Wyoming's lead to 20-10 on a 20-yard touchdown pass to Devon Tauaefa with 12:11 left. After forcing a Wyoming punt, the 'Bows got into field goal range, but Sean Olvera-Harle's 54-yard attempt was shanked far to the fight.
The Cowboys put the nail in the coffin with a Samuel Harris 18-yard touchdown with 1:46 remaining for the game's final score.
Though it was a moot effort, Hawai‘i called timeout with four seconds remaining at the Wyoming 14, setting up for one last score. UH quarterback Micah Alejado was sacked for the third time on Saturday before he was able to attempt a pass.
Alejado completed 28 of his passes for 44 yards for 226 yards, averaging just 5.1 yards per completion.
Wyoming's balanced offensive effort in which it passed for 204 yards and ran for an additional 183 kept the 'Bows off balance.
Defensively, Hawai‘i linebacker Wynden Ho‘ohuli was one of the lone bright spots for the team with a game-high 10 tackles, including a sack and a forced fumble.
Hawai‘i will return home to face San Jose State, a program it has lost five straight matchups to. Kickoff between the Rainbow Warriors and Spartans at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex is set for 6 p.m. on Oct. 3.
Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
