Hawaii football doesn’t play in many prime time games. The Rainbow Warriors had more eyes on them than usual as they edged UMass on the road.
Hawaii and UMass squared off in a rematch of last year’s thrilling season finale, which was won by the Rainbow Warriors 46-40. This year the Minutemen put up a much better fight early. The game started out slow but turned into another instant classic with Hawaii pulling off another thrilling win 38-35.
Last season Umass had a chance to win the game at Hawaii late, mounting two double-digit comebacks but falling just short. They had to endure an 11 hour flight home after finishing their season with a 2-10 mark.
Hawaii finished the 2016 season at 6-7 but their thrilling win over the Minutemen was enough to get them a bid to the Hawaii Bowl. It was their first trip to a bowl game since 2010 versus BYU. Here are three takeaways from their rematch in Amherst.
1. Hawaii wide receiver John Ursua is a game changer.
Sophmore wideout John Ursua looks like he picked up right where he left off last season, where he emerged as a threat any time he touched the ball. Ursua finished the season second on the team in receiving with 52 receptions for 652 yards.
He put on an incredible display in this game, including an 85 yard score in the first half. He did have a fumble on a punt return that he recovered himself. Quarterback Dru Brown looked for Ursua early and often. They have carried over their chemistry from last season and should put up great numbers this year as well. Ursua used his speed over the middle and at only 5-foot-10, he played bigger on the outside than his size would indicate.
Whether it was quick slants or deep passes down the sideline, Ursua was totally unstoppable. For the game Ursua finished with 12 catches for 272 yards and that 85 yard touchdown.