The game was in doubt and the situation tense:

Under two minutes remained with the University of Hawai'i football team clinging to a precarious 41-34 lead.

Nevada was knocking on the door on third-and-goal from the 3-yard line.

The Aloha Stadium crowd of 29,427 was deafening and on its feet, screaming at the top of its collective lungs.

Wolf Pack quarterback Travis Moore lofted a fade pass to the corner of the end zone for receiver Jack Darlington.

Warriors safety Leonard Peters closed in on the underthrown ball, rolled past Darlington and nearly struck his head on the KFVE TV truck outside the end zone.

Then he came up with a huge ear-to-ear smile showing all of his whites after realizing the pass was incomplete.

"Some people take the game too seriously, but I'm one of those guys who plays football because I love the game," said Peters, a senior from Kahuku High School. "You have to have fun out there."

On the next — and last — play for Nevada, Moore tried to hit receiver Mike McCoy on a high pass in the back of the end zone, but Peters again was there and tipped it out of harm's way.

Hawai'i then took over on downs and ran out the clock.

"I like to rise to the occasion," Peters said. "You know the receiver who always wants to get the ball with the game on the line? That's me on defense. I want to make the plays that make or break the game."

At the same time, Peters was quick to share the credit for the crucial goal-line stand.

"Everybody thinks I am the hero (on those plays), but it actually was the defensive line and the linebackers putting all that pressure on the quarterback and making him throw it early," Peters said.

I MUA KAMEHAMEHA

Nevada senior receiver Caleb Spencer, a former football and basketball standout at the Kamehameha Schools, had seven catches last night for 106 yards.

He caught passes of 33 and 10 yards on a key drive that ended with Nevada scoring to close the score to 41-27 with 9:08 remaining in the game.

"He's one of my best friends — I taught him how to do a Samoan slap dance for his wedding," Peters said. "I didn't get to put a lick on him tonight, but he's a great player and I'm glad he had a good game."

Spencer had about 60 family and friends cheering for him in the north end zone.

INJURY REPORT