Far West Roundup : Hawaii Defeats Colorado State With Fourth-Quarter Defense

Senior running back Heikote Fakava ran for 132 yards and a touchdown and Hawaii’s defense stiffened four times in the fourth quarter as the Rainbow Warriors beat Colorado State, 31-23, in a Western Athletic Conference game Saturday at Fort Collins, Colo.

Hawaii led, 31-23, just moments into the fourth quarter, when Colorado State’s Mike Brown kicked a 20-yard field goal. The Rainbows held the Rams on three consecutive plays inside the 3-yard line to force the field goal.

Moments later, Colorado State was inside the 10 again, but quarterback Scooter Molander was intercepted. The next time the Rams got the ball, Molander led them to the 35, where a 52-yard field goal attempt by Brown was blocked.

Colorado State had a final chance to tie late in the game after driving to the 1-foot line. On fourth and goal, Hawaii threw Scott Whitehouse for a 1-yard loss and took over on downs.

New Mexico 36, New Mexico State 34--Rick Walsh kicked a 30-yard field goal with 2 seconds remaining at Las Cruces, N.M., as New Mexico ended its 12-game losing streak.

Second-year Coach Mike Sheppard was carried off the field on his players’ after his first win. Freshman quarterback Jeremy Leach was 27 of 53 for 390 yards and 2 touchdowns and Walsh kicked five field goals to pace the Lobos.

Texas El Paso 48, Weber State 21--John Harvey ran for 135 yards and scored a career-high 5 touchdowns to pace the Miners (2-0) at El Paso, Tex.