Moe leads defensive turnaround

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

For his first two seasons with the Warriors, Tanuvasa Moe's view of the game was upside down. But those days appear to be over now.

Leonard Peters looks for running room after an interception. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

After redshirting his freshman year after an all-state career at linebacker for Saint Louis School, Moe spent the past two seasons as a long snapper in punt formation. That meant looking down under between his legs to see the punter, before getting off the snap and racing downfield to make a tackle.

UH linebackers coach Cal Lee said it was just a matter of Moe playing the position he excelled in while at Saint Louis.

"He's just starting to come on, being away from linebacker position for the last year or two," said Lee, who coached Moe in high school. "He needed time to play. He was a linebacker, but never really played linebacker. He was a snapper. You need to get back in the saddle. Tonight he showed he is back in the saddle and riding high."

Moe said he is making the best of his opportunity.

"The first couple years, at the most, I got six, seven plays a game, so I'm taking advantage of each chance I get out there."

After the Warriors increased their lead to 27-13 on a 43-yard field goal by Justin Ayat early in the third quarter, Nevada looked like it was going to answer with a score, driving down from its 20 to the UH 4. But on second-and-1 at the UH 4, Moe smashed into Kretschmer, who had 84 of his 178 yards in the first quarter alone, causing him to fumble at the 1, where Kila Kamakawiwo'ole recovered to halt the Wolf Pack threat.

But Moe wasn't done yet. On Nevada's next offensive series, Moes blitzed through the middle, forcing backup quarterback Travis Moore into forcing an errant throw on second-and-13 at the Nevada 48. On the next play, he did the same, only this time got credited with a sack for a 13-yard loss when Moore was called for intentional grounding, forcing the Wolf Pack to punt. That punt led to Chad Owens' 75-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Moe was quick to note that he wouldn't have been able to pressure Moore hadn't the linemen create the gap.

"Everybody went out there and did their job," Moe said. "For me, I was lucky the hole opened up and I got in there to make a few good plays."

Moe's interception — caused when Moore was pressured by defensive end Melila Purcell — set up UH touchdown late in the third quarter. It was his first career interception.

Moe's 11 tackles were second-best on the team last night behind Leonard Peters' 13. Purcell, who was third with 10 tackles, including a sack, penetrated Nevada's line late in the first half, allowing tackle Matt Faga to sack Nevada starting quarterback Jeff Rowe on third-and-goal at the 24. The Wolf Pack then missed a 46-yard field goal.

"Mel does an outstanding job," said Faga, who had two tackles for lost yardage. "With his speed, he makes the plays by turning them in and we're right there ready to make the tackle."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.