When Western Kentucky decided it desperately wanted out of its previously scheduled 2012 season finale with the University of Hawaii, it promised to accept a future date and help UH find a "suitable" replacement for this one.

"Suitable" being open to debate.

But it turns out the Hilltoppers did Hawaii more of a favor with their matchmaking than they did their eventual successor, South Alabama, on Saturday night.

A game with the Jaguars was the perfect parting gift for 17 Warriors seniors who closed an arduous season with an easy, highlight-filled 23-7 victory.

The Jaguars, meanwhile, got an all-expenses-paid trip (80 hotel rooms, 100 plane tickets, transfers, meals) but, except for a $125,000 check for walking away money, not much else to show for their 2 hours, 57 minutes under the lights at Aloha Stadium.

Proving that red, white and blue uniforms apparently don’t work for everybody in Halawa these days.

The only drama in this one was whether the Jaguars, who are transitioning to Football Bowl Subdivision membership, would suffer the first shutout in the 40-game history of their four-year-old program.

They didn’t, but the issue was in doubt until the the final 6 minutes, 33 seconds, when the Jaguars eventually completed a 3-yard touchdown pass on their seventh play from inside the UH 21-yard line.

Things were so well in hand so early for the Warriors that, except for one pass, they disdained going for a score from the South Alabama 48 in the final 40 seconds of the first half. A curious decision that prompted boos from the assembled 21,521.

The UH defense was so sturdy that not even four turnovers (two interceptions and two fumbles) could put the Warriors in jeopardy in this one.

The 2-11 Jaguars — who had more penalty yards (40) than rushing yards (18) — dropped passes, committed costly fouls that called back two long pass plays and generally were in well over their white helmets against the Warriors, who closed coach Norm Chow’s inaugural season at 3-9.

After 347 days as UH’s head coach, Chow sighed with relief at season’s end, smiled and said, "It feels like a lot longer."

Which is why he might want to savor the two-game winning streak. If that doesn’t sound like much, then remember these are the first consecutive victories by the Warriors since October 2011 and look at what’s coming up.

Not only is Southern California next up, Aug. 29, 2013, there are currently no more Football Championship Series or transitioning opponents listed on UH’s future schedules through at least 2015. No Lamar or South Alabama on the immediate horizon.

Instead, UH faces a lineup of USC, Oregon State, Navy, Army and Brigham Young as nonconference opponents in 2013.

Sometime this week the Warriors might want to drop a thank-you note to Western Kentucky, which finished 7-5, for coming up with South Alabama.

For sure the Jaguars won’t be bringing back any macadamia nuts for Western Kentucky.

———

Reach Ferd Lewis at <@Tagline -- email1>flewis@staradvertiser.com<@$p> or 529-4820.