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Warriors flying high after beating Bulldogs

By Jason Tang - bio | email

FRESNO, California (KHNL) - There's a whole new feeling of confidence in Manoa.

After stunning their first ranked opponent on the road, the University of Hawaii football team is flying high.

However, they'll be the first ones to tell you, their latest success didn't come without traveling on the road of hard knocks.

"The set the kick, it's up game over."

Their 32-29 overtime win over then ranked Fresno State didn't come without adversity.

But that's exactly what makes the Warriors stronger.

"I think it really helps the team and the fans," said Warrior head coach Greg McMackin. "They see that we're going to work as hard as we can, and we're not going to quit and it doesn't matter what the adversity is, or what anybody says."

Everybody said the Warriors couldn't win.

They entered Saturday's game as 21 point underdogs.

But instead of turning the ball over six times, the Warriors forced six turnovers after focusing on the problem all week in practice.

"Coach always said they'll come in bunches, don't worry about it, it'll come just go out and do your assignment," said Warrior defensive back Keao Monteilh. "And this is the week that it came."

Another thing that came out this week -- the quarterback that will lead this team moving forward.

"Inoke just won a big game for us, there is no quarterback controversy, Inoke is our quarterback."

The win couldn't come at a better time for UH.

Some fans were beginning to lose faith in the team, but Coach Mack says the Warriors are improving on a weekly basis, and he forsees a successful future.

"We have a football team that's progressing, and climb on because it's gonna be a fun ride."

Coach Mack also says he's planning on talking to Conference Commissioner Karl Benson to get clarification regarding the penalty discrepancy.

The Warriors were flagged 10 times while the Bulldogs didn't get any.