INSIDE SLANT

Somehow, Hawaii is still in the hunt for a bowl bid.

The Warriors beat San Jose State 17-10 in overtime Saturday despite using their third starting quarterback of the season.

Hawaii was 2-6 a few weeks ago. The Warriors are now 5-6 and need to beat Navy and Wisconsin at home to earn a bid to the Hawaii Bowl.

“This win keeps us alive, and any time you get a win on the road, it’s a great thing,” Hawaii coach Greg McMackin said.

Leon Wright-Jackson scored on a 5-yard run in overtime for the winning points. The defense stopped the Spartans on four consecutive plays.

Sophomore quarterback Shane Austin was 28 of 46 for 299 yards in his first start. He also rushed for a touchdown.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Hawaii’s 17 points are the fewest the Warriors have scored in a win in six years.

• Hawaii has won four straight overtime games, all on the road.

• Sophomore quarterback Shane Austin made his first career start in place of Bryant Moniz (bruised ribs). Austin is the third starter this season.

Game Ball Goes To:   WR Jon Medeiros—Medeiros had a breakout game in support of a first-time starting quarterback. He made 10 catches for 149 yards, accounting for half of the Warriors’ passing yards.

Keep An Eye On:   QB Shane Austin—He replaced ailing Bryant Moniz in the fourth quarter and went 8-for-11 for 72 yards and a TD.

Quote To Note:   “We obviously went with a new quarterback, and we tried to do our best to take the pressure off of his shoulders. Shane did some good things out there, and we were able to get him settled by using the run. We could have made a few more plays in the first half, but we were able to make enough adjustments to get the win.”—Hawaii coach Greg McMackin.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Looking Good:   The Warriors have won three straight games against the lower half of the WAC to rebuild their confidence and put themselves in position to earn a bowl berth. The offense has cut down on its mistakes, and the defense has allowed just 10 points in the past two games. The challenge gets much more severe in the last two games, though—home games against bowl-bound Navy and Wisconsin.

Still Needs Work:   K Scott Enos missed a 31-yard field goal with 3:48 left in the game that would have given the Warriors the win in regulation. Enos is 10-for-17 on the season. He’ll need to be better if the Warriors want to win their last two games.

Roster Report:  

• QB Bryant Moniz (bruised ribs) did not play. Shane Austin replaced him.

• WR Greg Salas (ankle) played but wasn’t as effective as usual with less than 7 yards per catch.

• RB Leon Wright-Jackson (sore neck) had 10 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown.