Hawaii’s Calvin Turner Jr. ran to the left and was bottled up and looked like he was going to lose big yardage, but the dynamic playmaker reversed field and zigzagged through New Mexico State’s defense to break free. A little later, it was Kohl Levao who was able to swing free.
The Rainbow Warriors beat the Aggies 41-21 on Saturday in Las Cruces, N.M., and Levao did the honors during the team’s “break the rock” postgame tradition, wielding a sledgehammer and slamming it into the ground in front of celebrating teammates.
But what else is new?
Whenever these teams play, Hawaii is the hammer and New Mexico State the nail.
Chevan Cordeiro threw for a first-half touchdown and ran for a second-half score, and Turner authored another highlight-reel touchdowns as UH ended a two-game losing streak with its first win this season against a fellow FBC school, improving to 9-0 all-time against the Aggies.
Cordeiro tossed a 74-yard touchdown pass to Nick Mardner on Hawaii’s first offensive play from scrimmage and added a 1-yard TD run late in the third quarter to extend UH’s lead to 24-13.
Turner added to the lead early in the fourth quarter when he reversed field and ran 14 yards for a TD – he might have covered 70 yards in all on the play as he avoided disaster – and a 31-13 lead.
Cordeiro finished 16-for-25 for 277 yards after starting the game completing his first six passes as the Rainbow Warriors picked up just their second win in their past 21 nonconference road games dating back to 2010.
Hawaii, which finished 2-for-9 on third down, went 26 minutes without scoring in the second and third quarters, but UH defense scored Cameron Lockridge’s fumble recovery in the second quarter. The unit posted a season-best nine tackles-for-loss and four sacks, allowing just 141 yards on 41 carries.
Darius Muasau tied his season high with 11 tackles, three for loss, including two sacks. Lockridge also has an interception, snuffing out the Aggies’ final drive.
Quarterback Jonah Johnson, who missed a game last week with a wrist injury, finished 28-for-46 for 280 yards, a touchdown and an interception for the Aggies, who dropped to 1-4 and still haven’t beaten an FBS school this season.
Dedrick Parson led the Rainbow Warriors in rushing with 89 yards on 11 carries – UH totaled 215 on the ground – including a 19-yard TD with 1:52 remaining to ice the game after Matthew Shipley hit a 41-yard field goal for Hawaii.
Mardner finished with 120 receiving yards on four catches. Turner had 52 yards rushing on four carries and six receptions for 66 yards.
When it was over, Levao, a freshman offensive lineman, lowered the boom with the sledgehammer as Hawaii shouted “family” in unison.
The Rainbow Warriors, who ruined the Aggies’ homecoming, will try to avoid the same fate Saturday when they host No. 22 Fresno State at 5 p.m. on CBSSN.