Nate was "Nasti" last night.

University of Hawai'i senior running back Nate Ilaoa picked up 219 all-purpose yards in a 41-34 win over Nevada in a Western Athletic Conference game at Aloha Stadium.

In front of family members sporting "Nasti Nation" shirts, Ilaoa rushed 14 times for 151 yards and had eight catches for 68 yards.

"That's my 'fam' up there. They wanted to make shirts," Ilaoa said. "I'm not a big fan of all that stuff, I'm not out there to self-promote. But it's a nice shirt and I'm glad they enjoy it."

Ilaoa was given the nickname "Nasti Nate" by his older brother Aaron, after a character in the movie "Half Baked."

Ilaoa credited the offensive line and fellow back Reagan Mauia for his success last night.

"I was fortunate to get big holes. You have to take advantage of the holes these linemen and Reagan provide."

Ilaoa didn't get his first carry until late in UH's second drive, but his 6-yard run to the 17 set up Ian Sample's touchdown.

His longest run was 35 yards in the second quarter when he nearly single handedly drove UH down the field, picking up 74 yards on the ground in the series, including an 11-yard run that placed UH on the 3-yard line.

"Nate was Nate," quarterback Colt Brennan said. "He was that rumbling, stumbling guy, making big plays for us.

"We love him, we love Nasti."

Ilaoa had a chance to score when he attempted to dive into the end zone in the third quarter, but instead fumbled after a hard tackle by J.J. Milan at the goal line.

"It was my fault, I had good blocking, but I was careless," Ilaoa said. "I'm going to have to work on that this week. And I know I'm going to hear it from coach."

Ilaoa's 14 carries were a season high, and Brennan said "if I had it my way we'd give it to him a couple more times.

"We're on the same page because we both had big fumbles in key situations, and all we can do is turn to each other and be best friends right now," said Brennan, who fumbled with about three minutes left in the game, giving Nevada the ball on UH's 3-yard line.

But still coaches gave Ilaoa the ball in the waning moments of the game as UH started at Nevada's 3-yard line. Ilaoa rushed twice for 14 yards, including a crucial first down.

"That's what we were looking for," Ilaoa said. "We needed to get that one first down because they didn't have any timeouts left."

Brennan was a beneficiary of Ilaoa's solid play last night, scoring on a 6-yard run after the Nevada defender was drawn to Ilaoa, opening up a running lane straight into the end zone.

"I'm not greedy, but I don't like Colt running the ball," Ilaoa said. "He's so valuable, I don't want him having to take hits. But if he does take it, I'm hoping he's free. And fortunately it was, it was a clear way into the end zone."

Ilaoa provides the rare combination of a bruising back who is also quick on his feet, giving UH the ability to break free for long runs.

"That's the great thing, for us to say we have a power running game in the run-and-shoot has never been heard of," Brennan said.

"How many times I turned around and saw him breaking and cutting back. That's nasty. That's why we call him 'Nasti Nate,' because it's just nasty and you feel sorry for the defense. And all you can do is sit back and enjoy him while you have him."

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.