What a rush! Wright-Jackson, Green run wild
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
For the 25,833 at Aloha Stadium, they caught a rush never seen until last night.
Pass-oriented Hawai'i, which entered last night averaging 80.2 rushing yards per game, rolled up a disbelieving 360 yards on the ground in a 49-36 win against Utah State to snap a six-game losing streak. That was 23 more yards than quarterback Bryant Moniz accounted for throwing the ball.
The running back tandem of Leon Wright-Jackson and Alex Green combined for 277 yards. Wright-Jackson had a career night with 167 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns.
Green came off the bench and rushed for 110 yards on 10 carries. It's the first time since 1995 (Johnny Macon and Brett Washington) that UH had two rushers each with at least 100 yards rushing in a game.
"It was a lot of fun," said Wright-Jackson, who, in last night's game alone, surpassed his 2008 season rushing total of 102 yards. "The offensive line gave me the holes. And it wasn't just me. Alex Green got in there and did the same thing. There were big holes. That's a credit to our offensive line."
He gave UH fans the kind of performance they had been yearning for since he joined the team in 2007 after transferring from Nebraska. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior set personal season and career highs in all rushing categories. He had a mind-boggling 62-yard run from UH's 6 in the second quarter in a drive that led UH's fifth touchdown of the first half.
His 15 carries were more than double his previous high (seven). His best rushing game was 66 yards against Fresno State earlier this season. His longest run was 47 yards against Louisiana Tech in 2007. His three TDs — on runs of 1, 9 and 5 yards —were three times his previous high; he entered last night's game with just four career TDs.
"It was a blessing," Wright-Jackson said of his breakout game. "Been patient, just waiting for my turn. Today was my turn."
On the 62-yard run, Wright-Jackson said the coaches told him the Aggies were over-pursuing toward UH's left. Wright-Jackson took the handoff from Moniz toward the left, then cut back to the right, where there was a huge gap.
Green, a junior college transfer, had shown signs of effectiveness all season, as he was the team leader with 227 yards rushing. He just pounded in the message with his season-best 110 yards. He even had a 35-yard run.
"Leon did a good job and I wanted to do the same thing," Green said. "I just tried to do my best and it paid off."
Enjoying the running backs' moments was Moniz, who had 76 yards rushing himself, including a 31-yarder.
"Anytime you can get something like that from them, it can help us out a lot," Moniz said. "(Their) running) helped out our passing a lot."
Moniz threw a career-high four TDs. UH coach Greg McMackin said the effective running game helped to protect Moniz.
"We have to keep them off our quarterback so they're just not teeing off on him so we're mixing it up a little bit," McMackin said. "But give credit to our offensive line. (Offensive line coach) Gordy Shaw did a great job with them."
Hawai'i's offensive line, under scrutiny most of the season, had a collective game it could take pride in.
"I'm just glad we got a win," UH tackle Aaron Kia said. "We needed that confidence-booster and tonight, we're one step towards it. But we're not done yet. This is like a championship ride for us now. We have to hustle, work hard and not give up at all."