Rolovich-to-Lelie lifts UH over Fresno State, 38-34

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

For one enchanted evening, the University of Hawai'i football team produced magic.

Hawai'i wide receiver Ashley Lelie soars above Fresno State cornerback Devon Banks to make a 14-yard touchdown reception from Nick Rolovich with 13 seconds to play. Lelie's third TD reception of the game put UH ahead 37-34. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

A crowd of 35,074 endured rush-hour traffic for the late-afternoon kickoff and, 3 1/2 hours later, watched the Warriors drive for the decisive touchdown.

"We fought and fought and fought and finally won," UH middle linebacker Chris Brown said. "It felt like we won a heavyweight championship. After 15 rounds, we were the ones standing."

Trailing 34-31 with 20 seconds left, the Warriors faced a third-and-goal from the Bulldog 14. One option that was not considered was to set up the tying field goal.

"We said, 'Hell no, we're not going to go into overtime,' " UH offensive guard Manly Kanoa III said. "We weren't even thinking about a field goal. We were going with our heart, and our heart was set on winning the game."

Quarterback Nick Rolovich, who injured his left shoulder on the previous series, rolled to his right and threw a high pass into the Halawa night. Wide receiver Ashley Lelie, near the back of the end zone, soared above cornerback Devon Banks and secured the pass for the touchdown with 13 seconds left — capping a 22-point fourth quarter.

"No matter how high (the pass) was, I was going to get it," said the 6-foot-3 Lelie, who has a 38-inch vertical jump. "When I got it, I was like, 'Oh, thank you Lord; thank you for letting me catch the ball.' I didn't want to let go of it."

Warrior quarterback Nick Rolovich scans the field as Bulldog defensive tackle Alan Harper applies pressure. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

UH slotback Channon Harris said when he saw single coverage on Lelie, "I knew that was money. We were going to get this. (Lelie) can fly, jump, do whatever he needs to do."

When wide receiver Rodney Wright was tackled on the only play of Fresno State's ensuing possession, a wild celebration was triggered as the Warriors stormed toward midfield. Rolovich, rubbing his sore shoulder, gingerly hugged teammates. Lelie's cheeks were stained with tears.

"So many people doubted us, even during the game, but we always believed we could do it," UH offensive guard Vince Manuwai said. "Before the game, we were really relaxed, almost calm. I told the other guys, 'We're calm now, but we're going to come out and explode.'"

In winning their fourth consecutive Western Athletic Conference game for the first time since 1984, the Warriors improved to 5-2 overall and 4-2 in league play.

But it appeared the night would not end happily ever after for the Warriors. They could not slow the Bulldogs' catch-and-sprint offense. Charles Smith, who missed Fresno State's first three games because of an ankle injury, caught two scoring passes and seldom-used David Shabaglian's 10-yard scoring reception gave the Bulldogs a 27-13 lead in the third quarter.

The Warriors repeatedly imploded. Rolovich, starting his fourth consecutive game in place of injured Tim Chang, was intercepted on consecutive possessions in the third quarter. Harris dropped two passes in a row at the doorstep of the end zone. One Fresno State drive was extended when, after offsetting penalties, a UH player was called for unsportsmanlike conduct.

"We weren't going to give up," Manuwai said.

Rolovich said that "until there is 'oh-oh' on the clock, we were going to keep playing hard."

Ashley Lelie caught nine passes for 122 yards and three touchdowns, including two TDs in the final six minutes. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Then the Bulldogs drove to the UH 3. But Carr mishandled the snap, and UH safety Nate Jackson raced in for the fumble recovery. Jackson, who suffered abrasions that required two layers of stitches from a motorcycle accident Monday, was not expected to play much, if at all.

"I just had it taped up," said Jackson, who was pressed into duty at nickelback because of cornerback Abraham Elimimian's ankle injury. Hyrum Peters, who opened at nickelback, replaced Elimimian at cornerback.

The Warriors then drove down the field, with a 45-yard pass to Lelie advancing the ball to the 11. From there, Rolovich again sought out Lelie, who made a leaping catch in the end zone to make it 31-27.

But the Bulldogs quickly surged back, regaining a 34-31 lead when Wright turned a swing pass into a 35-yard touchdown.

It appeared the Bulldogs (6-2, 2-2) had seized control of the game when they forced UH to punt on the ensuing possession. Also, Rolovich said his non-throwing "shoulder popped out" on that possession.

"There was no way I was going to not play," Rolovich said. "Nothing was going to keep me out of the game."

Jackson made sure the Warriors received another chance when he blitzed from the Bulldogs' left side, slammed into Carr and forced a fumble. Defensive end La'anui Correa, who earlier intercepted a pass, recovered the ball.

"The ball came right to me," Correa said.

He then praised Jackson. "He made the play," Correa said. "When I saw him before the game, I thought, 'There's no way he's going to play.' I didn't think he could walk. But look what he did."

The last chance was all the Warriors needed.

"I've never played for a tie," UH coach June Jones said. "I wanted to win it."

After the game, Fresno State coach Pat Hill's face was as red as his hat. The bad day began when the police escort failed to show up for the team's drive from the North Shore. At Aloha Stadium, an attendant tried to charge them for parking. Then there was the frenetic finish.

"We made too many mistakes and you are not going to win games like that," Hill said.