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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:59 p.m., Saturday, November 1, 2008

WARRIOR FOOTBALL
Utah State frustrates Warriors, 30-14

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Utah State linebacker De'von Hall (45) breaks up a pass intended for Hawai‘i receiver Michael Washington in the end zone. Utah State defeated Hawai‘i, 30-14.

AP Photo/The Herald Journal, Eli Lucero

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Hawai‘i quarterback Greg Alexander (12) scrambles away from Utah State linebacker Paul Igboeli, right.

AP Photo/The Herald Journal, Eli Lucero

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Utah State wide receiver Nnamdi Gwacham (81) falls into the end zone for a 62-yard touchdown as Hawai‘i defensive back Desmond Thomas defends.

AP Photo/The Herald Journal, Eli Lucero

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Diondre Borel passed for two touchdowns and Peter Caldwell kicked three field goals to lift Utah State to a 30-14 victory over mistake-plagued Hawai'i today in a Western Athletic Conference football game in Logan, Utah.

Hawai'i is 4-5 overall and 3-3 in the WAC. Utah State is 2-7 and 2-3. 

Borel completed 14 of 119 passes for 223 yards and also had 14 carries for 87 yards.

The Warriors took the opening kickoff of the second half and drove to the Utah State 4, but Daniel Libre fumbled a pitch from Greg Alexander and the ball was recovered by Utah State at the USU 4.

The Aggies moved the ball to the 50-yard line but were forced to punt.

Borel completed his second touchdown pass — a 23-yarder to Robert Turbin — to give Utah State a 20-7 lead with 1:27 remaining in the third quarter.

The Warriors, with Inoke Funaki at quarterback, drove to the Utah State 12, but gave up the ball on downs with 11:08 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Utah State was forced to punt giving the ball back to the Warriors with 8:57 remaining. Alexander returned to lead the next series and led UH to its first score of the second half. Alexander scored on a nine-yard run to close Utah State's lead to 20-14 with 7:00 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Peter Caldwell kicked a 21-yard field goal to give Utah State a 23-14 lead with 4:09 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Warriors gave up the ball on downs on its next possession, giving the ball to Utah State at the UH 20 with 3:34 to go.

Turbin scored on a six-yard run to give Utah State a 30-14 lead with 1:58 remaining.

Malcolm Lane ran the ensuing kickoff return 90 yards to the Utah State 10, but fumbled giving the ball back to the Aggies at the USU 22 at 1:39 to go.

The Warriors moved the ball in the first half with 191 yards in total offense but were hurt by penalties and two blocked field goals as Utah State took a 13-7 lead.

Alexander and Funaki alternated at quarterback in the first half, with Alexander taking most of the snaps. He completed 6 of 10 passes for 93 yards and a 34-yard scoring pass to Michael Washington. The Warriors were penalized seven times for 51 yards in the first half.

Utah State had 173 yards in total offense in the first half with Borel completing 8 of 9 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown.

The Aggies drove 55 yards in 10 plays in their opening drive with Peter Caldwell kicking a 34-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 9:20 remaining in the first quarter.

Alexander started at quarterback for the Warriors. The Warriors drove down to the Utah State 1, but the Aggies held. After tailback David Farmer was stopped for a 1-yard loss on third down and a 5-yard delay of game penalty, Dan Kelly's 26-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

Hawai'i's Jameel Dowling intercepted a Sean Setzer pass to give UH the ball on the UH 40 with 12:57 to go in the second quarter.

Funaki replaced Alexander at quarterback and drove the Warriors to the Utah State 32, but Kelly's 50-yard attempt was blocked with 8:57 to go in the second quarter.

On the first play of the ensuing possession, Borel completed a 62-yard touchdown pass to Nmandi Gwacham to give Utah State a 10-0 lead with 8:48 remaining in the second quarter.

Alexander returned as quarterback on UH's next drive and drove the Warriors 80 yards on six plays to their first score. Alexander completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to Michael Washington to close Utah State's lead to 10-7 with 6:18 remaining in the second quarter.

Caldwell kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired in the first half for a 13-7 lead.