Wright, Grant turn in defensive touchdowns

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

In previous seasons at the University of Hawai'i, linebacker Matt Wright and defensive back Robert Grant were out of position. Not in their assignments, but at the positions they played.

But they found their place in the Warriors' program this season and last night contributed with touchdowns in Hawai'i's 66-7 rout of Texas-El Paso.

Wright, despite being an all-state linebacker at Iolani School, found himself playing fullback and special teams his first two seasons as a Warrior. Last week at Southern Methodist, he made his first start at linebacker. Last night, he set the tone by returning a Wesley Phillips pass 90 yards for a touchdown that gave the Warriors a 14-0 lead with 1:24 left in the first quarter.

"I've pictured in my mind so many times" returning an interception for a touchdown, said Wright, a redshirt junior. "Running down here, it was like a dream."

It was the first interception returned for a touchdown by a Warrior since Nov. 6, 1999, when Quincy LeJay returned one 34 yards at San Jose State.

Grant, a senior, spent his first three seasons as a running back. In 32 career rushing attempts, he had scored one touchdown. He matched that total last night when he took a Jon Schaper pass 26 yards for a touchdown, the third interception returned for a score by the Warriors last night. Late in the first quarter, defensive back Kevin Millhouse had a 39-yard interception return for a TD.

"After the first quarter, I said 'I wanted to get one. It's my turn,' " Grant said.

Wright's return was the first of five scores that the defense was responsible for getting. Besides the three returns, Grant jarred the ball loose from tight end Joey Knapp after an 18-yard reception from quarterback Schaper. Jacob Espiau recovered at the UH 49. Four plays later, Nick Rolovich completed a 12-yard TD pass to Mike Bass to make it 31-0 early in the second quarter.

Between Grant's and Millhouse's interception returns, Joe Correia recovered a botched hand-off that led to Justin Ayat's career-long 50-yard field goal.

Wright recognized the pass play that UTEP used on his return.

"I was surprised (Phillips) threw it," Wright said. "I felt him (the tight end). I knew what he was doing. They run that play a lot."

Wright had a long way to go and appeared to be winded about 40 yards from the end zone.

"It was a long run," he said. "Especially knowing people are after you."

Said Grant: "It feels good to get my hands on the ball."