For the University of Hawaii football team, the difference between a comeback victory and a sixth-consecutive loss was five seconds.
That was the amount of time remaining when UNLV lined up for a field-goal attempt on Saturday night. Nolan Kohorst converted from 44 yards in the Rebels’ 39-37 victory.
Kohorst’s field goal was the Rebels’ 114th play of this year’s longest UH game (3 hours, 50 minutes).
"The last two weeks, we haven’t played the way we should have," UH coach Norm Chow said. "We’ve played way too many snaps (on defense)."
UH FOOTBALL
» Next: Hawaii vs. Colorado State
» When: 6 p.m. on Oct. 26
» Where: Aloha Stadium
» TV: PPV
» Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM
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Last year, UH opponents averaged 69.2 offensive plays per game. This year, they’re averaging 86.0 plays.
In the past two games, UNLV and San Jose State had possession for 37 minutes, 33 seconds and 36:24, respectively. That equated to possession advantages of 15:06 and 12:48. For the season, UH opponents average 9:44 in possession advantage.
Part of the discrepancy is the Rainbow Warriors’ inability to consistently sustain drives. On Saturday, the Warriors’ penultimate drive lasted three plays and 25 seconds.
The Warriors will have an extra week to make adjustments. They have a bye this coming weekend after turning down a $600,000 offer to play at Colorado.
The Warriors will have a day off today, conditioning drills on Tuesday, regular practices on Wednesday and Thursday, and an extended "scout bowl" on Friday. The second half of their regular season begins with the Oct. 26 game against Colorado State.
By then, the Warriors hope to restock. Running back Joey Iosefa (foot), tight end Jordan Pu‘u-Robinson (MCL) and quarterback Taylor Graham (shoulder) missed the past three games while recovering from injuries. Safety Marrell Jackson, who suffered a hand injury against UNLV, is expected to wear a cast when he plays.
Sean Schroeder and Ikaika Woolsey have split the work at quarterback in Graham’s absence. Chow said Graham was available, if necessary, against UNLV, although the preference was to give him an additional two weeks to heal.
"If Taylor is back," Chow said, "we have two weeks to make a decision as to (which quarterback) gives us the best chance to win."
Chow praised two freshmen — Kwamane Bowens, who played receiver after moving from cornerback a week ago, and Trayvon Henderson, who was used at safety, nickelback and dime back.
Bowens did not have a catch, but he raced 30 yards on a reverse.
Henderson had an interception and four tackles. He was assessed a face-mask penalty on the final drive when he inadvertently hooked UNLV receiver Marcus Sullivan.
Chow said he did not fault Henderson. "Not one bit," Chow said.
The Warriors opened the playbook against UNLV. Chow’s regret was a play the Warriors rehearsed for two weeks. Schroeder took a step toward his right, pirouetted, then threw a lateral to offensive lineman Kody Afusia on the left side. Schroeder’s toss was high. The play was legal because it was a lateral.
"We call it ‘Dream,’ " Chow said of the play. "That’s because it’s a lineman’s dream."
