Hawaii Thumps Wyoming, 38-14
Warriors played a well-rounded game
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No bowl game but a nice parting gift
The Hawaii Warriors played their most complete game of the season in all three phases and finished the year strong en route to a 38-14 road victory over the Wyoming Cowboys. The Bows used a first half offensive explosion to take a commanding lead and never looked back. The Cowboy’s defense blew coverages all day including a 50-yard hail mary to Jared Smart to end the first half.
Rainbow Warriors Dismantle Wyoming To Reclaim Paniolo Trophy!
Read More ➡️ https://t.co/AHW6oj6iL0 pic.twitter.com/au4LQGbaKF
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) November 28, 2021
The Warriors have struggled to get out of the gates all season but yesterday it looked like a different team on the field. The Bows started the game with a 10 play 75 yard drive ending with a Chevan Cordiero rushing touchdown on a designed quarterback run. Cordeiro finished with 86 yards rushing and continued his hot streak from last week through the air, throwing for 323 yards and 3 more scores. He showed off his dual threat ability in his best performance of the season.
FISO!! FISO!! FISO!! FISO!! FISO!! #️⃣3️⃣3️⃣#WinEveryDay pic.twitter.com/tYFu2JUUWa
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) November 27, 2021
Cordiero spread the ball around as nine different Warriors recorded receptions including H-back Steven Fiso who caught his first two career passes for touchdowns. He snuck behind the Cowboy’s linebackers off of a play action fake and was wide open for both scores.
Two catches on the year and two touchdowns! STEVEN FISO!!!#WinEveryDay pic.twitter.com/gEBUhhOpz4
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) November 27, 2021
The most impactful stat of the night was third down efficiency. Hawaii was 7-12 on third down and converted on numerous 3rd and long situations, something they have not done all season. Cordeiro made quick decisions and used his legs to convert on third downs efficiently. The Warriors also played a relatively clean game with only 2 penalties for 15 yards going against them.
Defensively, the Bows played lights out slowing the Wyoming power run scheme to just 119 yards on 37 carries. Xazavian Valladay was held to just 42 yards and Titus Swen to just 19 on the day. Quarterback Levi Willaims led the Cowboys with 43 yards on the ground, but the Warriors defense shut down the Cowboy’s offense and limited Williams to a 44.6 QB rating.
Khoury Bethley wrapped up one of the best individual defensive seasons in UH history with 12 tackles including 1 tackle for loss and Darius “the Destroyer” Muasau finished with 8 tackles a sack and 2 tackles for loss.
I waited to write this article hoping that I would be able to end it with the Warriors receiving a Bowl game berth, but it doesn’t look like that will be the case. Hawaii will finish the season 6-7 and what stings the most is it seems like the offense has finally hit its stride in the last two games.
If they had anywhere near this type of offensive production earlier in the year they could easily be 8-5. They will lose an impactful group of seniors to graduation including Cortez Davis, Calvin Turner Jr. and Kohl Levao and it will be interesting to see what happens with the transfer portal going forward. Hopefully the momentum of these last two games can change the minds of any players thinking about leaving for greener pastures. I plan on doing a season recap, but for one more time, let’s go Bows!
