1. Red-zone fumble
» The setup: Hawaii 0, Oregon State 0, 12:32 remaining, first quarter, Hawaii ball, first-and-10 at Oregon State 16
» The play: LB Jabral Johnson forces RB Joey Iosefa to fumble at the line of scrimmage and DL Siale Hautau recovers for Oregon State.
» The impact: Hawaii had driven steadily downfield and appeared poised to score on the opening drive for the second game in a row. But Oregon State took over and immediately made a 40-yard pass play from QB Sean Mannion to WR Victor Bolden that set the tone for scoring the first 21 points.
» Hawaii coach Norm Chow: "We can’t play good football teams and make the mistakes that we make. We just can’t. We have to cut it out or it’ll be another tough year."
2. Point of emphasis
» The setup: Oregon State 21, Hawaii 7, 8:09 remaining, second quarter, Oregon State ball, third-and-15 at own 46
» The play: Mannion throws a 7-yard completion to WR Richard Mullaney well short of the first-down marker. But LB Julian Gener is called for roughing the passer for hitting the quarterback low, in violation of a rule that was changed since last season. But Gener appeared to be in compliance because of two conditions that call for the penalty not to be called: He did not run into Mannion "unabated" and his tackle was a conventional wrap.
» The impact: Instead of a UH defensive stop, Oregon State’s drive continued and Garrett Owens kicked a 27-yard field goal, starting a 17-0 run.
» Gener: "They said I hit him low, but they (also) said I had a guy on me. It was a tough call. I have to play it smarter. I can’t make excuses about it."
3. Special stuff
» The setup: Oregon State 38, Hawaii 14, 12:51 remaining, fourth quarter, Oregon State ball, fourth-and-10 at own 25
» The play: Lance Williams blocks a punt by Keith Kostol and Hawaii takes over at the Oregon State 16.
» The impact: The first of two big special teams plays by Williams led to a 5-yard touchdown by Iosefa and a failed 2-point conversion. On the ensuing kickoff, Dee Maggitt stripped the ball from Rahmel Dockery and Williams recovered at the Oregon State 20. Tyler Hadden kicked a 33-yard field goal with 10:55 left and Hawaii was back in a game that appeared to be a blowout after three quarters.
» Williams: "It all starts from (special teams) Coach (Chris) Demarest. We started off slow, but you have to still take opportunities and execute. Trust, belief and accountability. … We all have to be more accountable to each other. Not only five or six guys."
4. Joey down
» The setup: Oregon State 38, Hawaii 23, 5:12 remaining, fourth quarter, Hawaii ball, fourth-and-24 at Oregon State 34
» The play: QB Ikaika Woolsey dumps off a pass to Iosefa, who rambles for 13 yards, far short of the first down, before he is tackled by LB Michael Doctor. Iosefa is injured on the play.
» The impact: The play highlighted Hawaii’s lack of receiver depth and over-dependence on Iosefa, who did not return to the game. Iosefa’s ankle injury forces him to miss the next four to six weeks.
» Chow: "(Iosefa is) obviously what we need to have to run the football, but we also need to be able to pass it, too. We all know he’s a good player."
5. 3 yards short
» The setup: Oregon State 38, Hawaii 30, 1:35 remaining, fourth quarter, Hawaii kicking off from own 35
» The play: Hadden’s onside kick travels 7 yards and is recovered by Oregon State at the Hawaii 42 with 1:33 left and Hawaii’s timeouts expended.
» The impact: Hawaii still had a chance after its 90-yard drive that took 1 minute, 2 seconds and ended with Woolsey’s 2-yard touchdown put it within 8 points. But it needed yet another break in the kicking game when everyone knew Hadden would be trying an onside kick.
» Oregon State coach Mike Riley: "They obviously came roaring back. We did all the stuff if you want to let a team back in there. … They get momentum and they get excited and you go into a shell a little bit. Then they make plays. … just glad we held them off to win the game."