Jackson makes Bulldogs feel pain

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Nate Jackson did it again.

Hawai'i's La'anui Correa (58) is ready to pounce on the ball after Nate Jackson (12) stripped it from Fresno State quarterback David Carr with 3:09 to play. UH then drove for a touchdown and held on for a 38-34 victory. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Jackson, playing with two layers of stitches for injuries suffered when his motorcycle was involved in car accident Monday, caused Fresno State quarterback David Carr's fumble that set up the Warriors' winning touchdown in a 38-34 victory over the 18th-ranked Bulldogs last night at Aloha Stadium.

Remarkable for someone who could not practice most of the week as he recovered from injuries to his left shin.

"Football is a whole different story," Jackson said. "When I put on this jersey, there's no pain."

Tell that to Carr, who moments earlier had rallied the Bulldogs to a 34-31 lead with 4:55 to play.

It was an advantage that looked safe when UH was forced to punt after three plays, giving the Bulldogs the ball with 3:22 remaining.

Fresno State had the ball at its 38. After a no-gainer by running back Paris Gaines on first down, Carr dropped back to pass. Jackson, who did not start but played because of injuries to safety Robert Grant and cornerback Abraham Elimimian, looped the right side, dislodging the ball from Carr. Lineman La'anui Correa recovered the ball at the FSU 34.

"We had to come up with a big play to win the game," Correa said. "Nate came up with our big play."

Jackson said the scheme was a designed safety blitz. He said he told strong safety Jacob Espiau that if Carr rolls to his side, he would blitz, instead of having Espiau crossing over.

That Jackson was able to play was a miracle in itself. Defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said Jackson practiced a little on Friday (during a closed workout session).

"We didn't think he was going to play," Lempa said. "He looked like he was all right, but not a 100 percent. We played him a little bit and watched him. He didn't look full speed. But on that last play, he was full speed."

Lempa said doctors cleared Jackson, assuring the coaches that his stitches would hold.

Jackson is familiar with pain. He played the 2000 season with a fractured foot, and still made big plays. He shared the Western Athletic Conference lead with seven interceptions. And then he went out and played for the UH baseball team in the spring.

But as fantastic a finish as it was for the Warriors, Jackson said last night's win was even better than the 1999 double-overtime finish when UH beat Fresno State, 31-24, for a share of the conference championship.

"There's no comparison," Jackson said. "This was even better than two years ago."