UH kicks it away from Livas

The Bulldogs’ dangerous return man, Phillip Livas, was contained by the UH special teams. Livas averaged just 16 yards on five of his team’s seven kick returns, with a long of 23.

He never had an opportunity for his fourth career kickoff return score, as the Warriors opted for higher, shorter kicks from place-kicker Scott Enos that yielded consistently good starting position for LaTech, but nothing spectacular until a squib kick in the fourth quarter gave the Bulldogs the ball at midfield.

"We tried to kick it high to the short side of the field. It worked well for us early, and they did a nice job of adjusting to it," UH special teams coordinator Chris Tormey said. "Fortunately, we were able to keep (Livas) in check. We gave up a couple of good returns, but we didn’t give up any home runs.

"The bottom line is they didn’t beat us with their best player on special teams, and that was our goal going in."

Stutzmann makes first start

Freshman receiver Billy Ray Stutzmann made his starting debut at left wideout for the Warriors. He replaced Rodney Bradley, who didn’t practice last week due to a hamstring injury.

Stutzmann caught five passes for 60 yards, both career bests.

Brett Leonard also made his first appearance of the season at left guard, entering the game in the second quarter. Leonard had been in contention for a starting job before injuring a knee in fall camp.

Hardy-Tuliau impresses

True freshman John Hardy-Tuliau turned in another impressive effort for the UH defense as his role continues to expand.

Hardy-Tuliau, listed as a starter at nickel back and No. 2 strong safety behind Richard Torres, contributed eight tackles, including one for a loss. He was one behind linebacker Corey Paredes for team-high in stops last night and has 21 for the season.

Linebacker Aaron Brown — another defender expected to be a playmaker — pitched in seven tackles, including an acrobatic sack.

Third-quarter turnaround

Through its first four games, Louisiana Tech had scored only two touchdowns and 18 total points in the second half.

The Bulldogs nearly equaled that last night, converting two long drives into touchdowns to outscore UH 14-10 in the third period.

An 8-yard touchdown pass by Ross Jenkins to Tim Molton pulled LaTech within 13 at 34-21, but the Bulldogs couldn’t score again.

LaTech has been outscored 78-32 after halftime and hasn’t scored in consecutive quarters in the second half all season.

First touchdown for Dimude

Chizzy Dimude scored the first touchdown of his UH career in the opening quarter, a 27-yarder through a gaping hole in the right side of the line. It was also the first touchdown Hawaii scored against Louisiana Tech in six quarters, dating back to a 2008 win in Aloha Stadium.

"It felt good man," Dimude said of his first score since his sophomore season at Laney College. "It’s been a long time. I just read (offensive lineman Austin Hansen’s) block and headed up field, it was an open hole."

Goin’ back to Fresno

UH’s road trip to Fresno State this week takes quarterback Bryant Moniz back to where his college career began.

Moniz passed for 2,268 yards and 18 touchdowns in his lone season at Fresno City College in 2007.

"It’s just another game to me," Moniz said. "Fresno was a great place for me, got me to where I am now. I’m just excited we got two wins in a row and we have to keep it rolling."