Northwestern @ Hawaii game thread

H20 · Post by **H20** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 5:03 pm

They're showing the '01 BYU game on digital before the game starts. Maybe they're going the Leilehua route and showing them a big win. Anyway, kickoff in about an hour.

Post by **Scott** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 5:43 pm

From the Northwestern site:

http://nusports.collegesports.com/sport ... 04aaa.html

Wildcats Travel to Hawaii, Seeking Another Bowl Berth
Northwestern-Hawaii set for 10 p.m. Central time

Nov. 22, 2004

NU-Hawaii FB Game Notes
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's 2004 football season has come down to one game and a clearcut mission: win this Saturday's contest and the Wildcats will be playing in a late-December bowl game. Here's the daunting part of the task, however -- Northwestern will have to travel 4,248 miles to the island of Oahu to take on the University of Hawaii and all-time NCAA passing leader Timmy Chang.

The Wildcats earned this position after notching another scintillating home victory on Saturday at Ryan Field. Northwestern defeated Illinois 28-21 in overtime -- the Wildcats' fourth OT game of the year -- in its Big Ten finale. The victory gave Northwestern its fifth consecutive home win and a perfect 4-0 Ryan Field slate vs. Big Ten competition.

Northwestern, which gained its first 2004 road victory earlier this month at Penn State, will need to be at its best against the Warriors, who are 5-5 overall, but 5-1 at home with five straight victories at Aloha Stadium. Hawaii, like Northwestern, is also trying to become bowl eligible, and needs to defeat the Wildcats and then Michigan State the following week to earn a trip to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

The Warriors are led by Chang, who enters his final two regular-season games with 15,846 career passing yards, 105 touchdowns and 1,297 completions. This season, he has completed 267-of-451 passes for 3,032 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His 303.2 yards per game average ranks second best nationally. Chang, the preseason WAC Offensive Player of the Year, is coming off a 23-of-31, 376-yard and career-best 6-TD performance in Hawaii's 52-21 win over Idaho this past weekend. He has totaled 33 career games with 300 or more passing yards.

Chang's three favorite targets are Chad Owens (72 for 738 yards, 10.2 ypr, 7 TD's), Jason Rivers (59 for 711 yards, 12.1 ypr, 6 TD's) and Britton Komine (42 for 635 yards, 15.1 ypr, 4 TD's). As a team, the Warriors rank fourth nationally in passing offense (317.6 ypg). UH's leading rusher is Michael Brewster (59.9 ypg, 6.5 ypr, 6 TD's).

Defensively, the Warriors are led by All-WAC candidate Abraham Elimimian. A cornerback, Elimimian is one of several Hawaii players who has been slowed with injuries this year. Elimimian leads the UH defense with five interceptions. Defensive end Melila Purcell is second in total tackles (55), and leads the team in TFL's (14) and sacks (6).

ktownwarrior · Post by **ktownwarrior** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 7:24 pm

I can't believe that! D forces a fumble and the QB picks it up and scores. What luck...

ktownwarrior · Post by **ktownwarrior** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 7:51 pm

This is the best I've seen them play so far. Inspired football. I like this!

ktownwarrior · Post by **ktownwarrior** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 7:59 pm

What a drive! A TD in two plays in the last 26 secs in the half! 28 points in the 2nd quarter is awesome. 28-20 now.

vis · Post by **vis** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 8:00 pm

omg 3 touchdowns to chad owens!

Post by **Scott** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 8:01 pm

The defense is playing inspired ball tonight! The offense was no where to be seen, but looks like Timmy lossed his jitters when he got knocked out of bounds. Now he seems to be playing a little PO'd! Anyone else noticing that NW talks smack almost after every play?

ktownwarrior · Post by **ktownwarrior** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 8:26 pm

Owens punt return TD! That was unbelievable!

Post by **Scott** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 8:27 pm

I was like, "OH NO THE PUNTER IS GOING TO TACKLE HIM....NOT!" What a kick return! Chad Owens with 4 touchdowns tonight!

ktownwarrior · Post by **ktownwarrior** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 8:35 pm

Is it just me, or is Hawaii really prone to fakes? I've seen UH get burned on more fakes than any other team, whether it's onside kicks, or fake punts and field goals, it makes you wonder why teams don't do it all the time.

35-27 now.

ktownwarrior · Post by **ktownwarrior** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 9:05 pm

Good grief, Chad Owens 5 total TD's (four receiving). 49-33.

ktownwarrior · Post by **ktownwarrior** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 9:31 pm

It also seems to me Hawaii gets a bunch of their punts blocked. N'Western returns this for a TD. 49-39; 2-pt. conversion pending...it's good. 49-41.

Kobayashi · Post by **Kobayashi** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 9:47 pm

oh dear god no.... what a catch.

ktownwarrior · Post by **ktownwarrior** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 9:52 pm

Hawaii wins, 49-41. Bad call on Leonard Peters INT, but UH wins!

One more, guys!

wyokie · Post by **wyokie** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 9:56 pm

Congrats, gang!!!

1 more win before the 'Bows can play in the Hawaii Bowl.

On a side note, Wyoming should know on Monday which bowl we'll go to, either to the Las Vegas Bowl against an opponent TBA or to the Emerald Bowl against Navy.