Led by two unlikely stars, the Warriors rushed for a season-high 173 yards last night.

Junior running back John West, filling in for an injured Mike Bass, led the charge with 83 yards, including 63 in the crucial second half. Freshman inside receiver Nate Ilaoa added 44 yards, all on the game-winning drive, including the go-ahead, 2-yard touchdown run with 4:45 remaining in the game.

"I had to come in under some unfortunate circumstances because Mike worked hard all week," West said. "But we knew we were going to rotate anyway, so it was just a matter of me playing a little more than I usually do."

UH was trailing, 40-29, with 12:29 remaining in the game when it surprisingly turned to its rushing attack. The Warriors rushed for 97 yards in the final quarter, including 31 by West.

"I think the running game was definitely the key," he said. "Our air attack always represents us, so it was time for the running game to represent."

The surprise representation came from Ilaoa. His 42-yard run off a "counter" play from his slotback position set up his game-winning touchdown on a similar play.

"Usually, when you get to the hole, there's one (defender) to make you dictate which way to go," Ilaoa said of his 42-yard run. "But I hit the hole and there was no one there so I kept running."

Once Hawai'i had the lead, senior running back Thero Mitchell fittingly preserved the victory by rushing for 29 yards to help run out the clock.

• Injury report: Senior offensive lineman Lui Fuata will undergo surgery within the next two weeks to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Fuata, a second-team All-Western Athletic Conference selection, injured his knee in the first quarter of last week's game against Alabama. He did not suit up in last night's game, and is also expected to miss the ConAgra Foods Hawai'i Bowl against Tulane on Christmas Day.

Freshman Derek Faavi started in Fuata's spot at center last night.

Also, All-WAC safety Hyrum Peters did not play last night for the first time this season because of a sprained left knee. He also injured his knee against Alabama. His status for the bowl is uncertain.

Running back Mike Bass sprained his right knee last night, and will be evaluated today.

• Surprise starter: J.R. Tolver, San Diego State's record-breaking receiver, started the game at quarterback as part of a play designed to confuse the Hawai'i defense.

The strategy worked as Tolver completed a short pass to Kassim Osgood, who then ran for an 87-yard gain on SDSU's first offensive play of the game. One play prior to that, UH had downed the football on the 1-yard line after a Mat McBriar punt.

• Dynamic duo: Tolver and Osgood played up to their hype.

They entered last night's game as the most prolific pair of receivers on the same team in a single season in NCAA history. They exited the game by increasing their already mind-boggling totals.

Tolver caught a season-high 18 passes for 283 yards — his 38th consecutive game with a reception — and two touchdowns. He finished the season with 128 receptions (the seventh highest total in NCAA history) and 1,785 yards. Osgood caught five passes for 126 yards and a touchdown to increase his season total to 108 catches for 1,552 yards.

• Proficient passer: San Diego State quarterback Lon Sheriff completed 13 consecutive passes during one stretch of the first half.

At the start of the streak, the Aztecs trailed, 22-3. By the end of it, they cut the Hawai'i lead to 22-20.

• Record passer: Hawai'i sophomore quarterback Tim Chang became the first player in UH history to pass for more than 4,000 yards in a single season.

He finished with 437 yards last night, raising his season total to 4,350. He also established single-season records with 335 completions and 603 attempts.

• Brother act: Hawai'i sophomore Abraham Elimimian started at cornerback last night for the Warriors, finishing with four tackles and one batted pass. His younger brother, Jacob, is a freshman defensive back with San Diego State. He had two tackles.

• Courageous outing: San Diego State defensive end Akbar Gbaja-Biamila started last night's game for the Aztecs, just one week after his mother was killed in a car accident. He finished with three tackles, including half a sack.

• Local boy: Kurt Kahui, a freshman defensive end, suited up for the Aztecs and saw limited duty on special teams.

• Finally: Last night's victory by Hawai'i snapped a nine-game winning streak by San Diego State in the all-time series between the teams. Prior to last night, the last time Hawai'i beat San Diego State was in 1989, 31-24.

• Aloha Hugh: Former athletic director Hugh Yoshida received a standing ovation at halftime, when he was recognized for his accomplishments at UH.