Posted on: Sunday, November 7, 2004
Moats sets LaTech record
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
If Louisiana Tech running back Ryan Moats could play against Hawai'i every week, he'd be close to some NCAA career records, too.
For the second consecutive year, Moats rushed for more than 200 yards against the Warriors. And for the second consecutive year, it wasn't quite enough
Moats rushed for 228 yards on 38 carries in Louisiana Tech's 34-23 loss to Hawai'i last night.
"I like playing Hawai'i," said Moats, a 5-foot-9, 209-pound junior. "They got a lot of spirit. They play hard; I love the way they play."
Last season, Moats rushed for a career-high 267 yards in a 44-41 loss to Hawai'i. In two games against the Warriors, he has 495 yards and four touchdowns.
"They didn't know who I was last year," Moats said. "It gets a little harder this year, but I was up for the challenge."
But according to Louisiana Tech head coach Jack Bicknell, Moats may have run out of stamina late in the game. As proof, Moats had only 11 yards on four carries in the fourth quarter.
"He got gassed," Bicknell said. "It was hot out there; it was humid. But there's no excuses."
Moats said it had more to do with a recurring ankle injury that forced him to hop off the field in the third quarter.
In the process of last night's performance, Moats set the Louisiana Tech record for most rushing yards in a season. He has 1,441 yards through nine games. Jason Davis set the previous school mark of 1,351 in 1991.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser Running back West Keli'ikipi added to the postgame celebration when he proposed to his girlfriend, Kanani Villanueva on the field. The proposal was shown on the stadium Jumbo Tron.
For the record, Keli'ikipi did get down on one knee, and Villanueva said yes.
Hawai'i defensive end Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan had to be assisted off the field twice in the first half last night because of a strained left shoulder.
Also, cornerback Abraham Elimimian left the field in the third quarter after reaggravating a strained right hamstring.
The Hawai'i defense was already banged up prior to last night's game. Starting linebacker Tanuvasa Moe did not play because of a hamstring injury, and starting defensive end Kila Kamakawiwo'ole was out after undergoing surgery for appendicitis last week.
On offense, center Derek Fa'avi was helped off the field in the third quarter with an injury to his right knee. Offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said the injury could be serious enough to keep Fa'avi out for the season.
Junior Landon Kafentzis finished with six tackles in the first start of his Hawai'i career at safety. Freshman linebacker Brad Kalilimoku also made his first start last night and contributed five tackles.
The turnstile attendance of 27,948 for last night's game was the third smallest crowd to watch a UH home game at Aloha Stadium since June Jones took over as head coach in 1999.
Hawai'i wore its special all-black uniforms for the second consecutive home game. The Warriors have won six consecutive games in the all-black uniforms, and are 10-3 all-time in them.
Slotback Chad Owens had 75 yards receiving and 33 yards in punt returns last night. He is just eight yards away from becoming UH's all-time leader in all-purpose yardage. Gary Allen holds the record with 4,558.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
West Keli'ikipi makes a decent proposal
Hawai'i running back West Keli'ikipi proposed to Kanani Villanueva after the Warriors' 34-23 victory over Louisiana Tech at Aloha Stadium last night. Villanueva said yes.
Injuries mount for Hawai'i defense
Two Warriors make starting debuts
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