Twenty players made their season debuts last night, including 13 who played their first downs for the Warriors.

With University of Hawai'i's large advantage — UH led 28-0 at halftime — it allowed the regulars to rest and give their teammates playing time.

"Every time we practice they tell us, 'Let us play, let us play,' " center Samson Satele said. "Tonight I told the first team to let them play. It was nice to see them play."

Said Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan: "To get the experience in front of the lights like this is huge. With an offense like ours we know we always have the opportunity."

Receiver Chad Mock and linebacker Brad Kalilimoku received starting nods for the first time this season also, in place of Jason Rivers and Solomon Elimimian, respectively. Rivers played last night and Elimimian was out due to a right knee sprain.

UH EVEN IN OPENERS

The Warriors have a 16-16 record in home openers at Aloha Stadium.

They broke a two-game losing streak with last night's win. Coach June Jones is 3-5 in home openers at Aloha Stadium.

BRENNAN MOVING UP

Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan moved up to fifth on UH's career passing yardage list. His 4,947 yards, including 296 last night, surpassed Gregg Tipton (1985-86), who threw 4,775. Raphel Cherry (1981-84) is fourth on the list with 5,046 yards. Tim Chang (2000-04) tops the list with 17,072, an NCAA record.

SEE YOU SOON AND OFTEN

Beginning with last night's meeting, UH and UNLV will play six times in seven seasons.

Future games are scheduled for 2007, '08, '10, '11 and '12, according to UNLV.

MOUNTAIN WEST CREW

A Mountain West Conference crew worked the field and a Western Athletic Conference crew worked the replay booth last night.

It will be the reverse when WAC teams go on the road against MWC opponents.

UH LEADS SERIES, 11-6

The last meeting between the Rebels and the Warriors was played before the third largest home crowd in UNLV history (34,287) on Sept. 19, 2003.

UNLV defeated Hawai'i, 33-22, with about 8,500 fans in UH green in attendance at Sam Boyd Stadium. UH leads the series 11-6 but UNLV had won the previous three meetings before last night.

HOMEGROWN REBELS

Rebels Kamu Kapanui (Roosevelt), a sophomore running back, freshman offensive lineman Ramsey Feagai (Radford), senior offensive lineman Kea Toledo (Damien), senior defensive lineman Prince Brown (Saint Louis) and freshman defensive lineman Malo Taumua ('Aiea) made the trip home to Hawai'i. Junior offensive lineman Johan Asiata (Youth Challenge Academy) is listed on the roster but did not make the trip.

"It feels great to be here," Taumua said. "All my friends play for UH. I came out really excited. I'm just happy to be here."

Kahuku's Malosi Te'o, an All-State Player, will serve his church mission before joining the program.

NOTES

About 23 minutes before the start of the game, the Warriors performed the haka. ... Danny Kaleikini performed the National Anthem and Hawai'i Pono'i, accompanied by the UH marching band. .... Fans in orange sections QQ, PP, NN, MM and LL were treated to new seats.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com and Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.