Led by a clutch performance from redshirt freshman slot receiver Titan Lacaden, the University of Hawai‘i football team escaped with a 17-14 victory at UTEP on Saturday evening.
Hawai‘i improved to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in Mountain West games, while UTEP dropped to 1-7 overall and 0-5 in conference play.
Lacaden hauled in a game and career-high 11 receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown, each catch seemingly arriving at a crucial time for the 'Bows.
The Rainbow Warriors got the scoring started with Lacaden's 20-yard touchdown reception from Micah Alejado with 2:57 remaining in the first quarter. After a Sean Olvera-Harle field goal gave the 'Bows a 10-0 lead with 7:01 left in the second quarter, the Miners responded in les than 40 seconds with Lamar Sperling's 5-yard run with 6:25 left in the half.
Following a scoreless third quarter for both teams, a 23-yard Lacaden reception set up a 6-yard Sitani Mikaele touchdown to give the Rainbow Warriors a 17-7 lead with 10:08 left. The Miners again responded promptly with a 15-yard touchdown reception from Judah Ezinwa with 6:57 remaining.
On the ensuing drive, the Rainbow Warriors went into clock milking mode after multiple first downs. When UTEP burned its final timeout prior to a UH third down with 2:10 remaining, Lacaden's final reception of the day sealed the Hawai‘i victory.
Defensively, Jamih Otis was the standout of the game for the Rainbow Warriors with 10 tackles, including 1.5 for loss and half a sack. Nickelback Elijah Palmer added seven tackles and two forced fumbles for the 'Bows, one of which was recovered by Matagi Thompson and set up the team's first score of the game.
Quarterback Micah Alejado completed 26 of his 40 passes for 303 yards, a touchdown, and an interception thrown with four seconds left in the first half when Hawai‘i was in the red zone.
With no margin for error as far as their bowl hopes are concerned, the Rainbow Warriors won their second straight victory on Saturday. Up next is a 6 p.m. home kickoff against North Dakota State on Nov. 14 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.
Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
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