HONOLULU – Duquesne forced three first-quarter Hawaii miscues to jump out to a 14-0 lead over the FBS Rainbow Warriors, but the high-powered Hawaii offense would score 35 unanswered points en route to the 42-21 victory on Saturday night at Aloha Stadium.
Playing in front of the homecoming crowd of 26,175, the Dukes immediately gained momentum on the first drive of the game as defensive back Jonathant Istache (Belle Glade, Fla./Glades Central) picked off Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald in the end zone with the Rainbow Warriors threatening early. It was McDonald's first career interception in 154 attempts, as the sophomore entered Saturday's contest as the nation's leader in passing touchdowns and yardage.
It was also the first time this season the Rainbow Warriors failed to score on the opening possession of the game.
Following a Duquesne punt, the Dukes would force another Hawaii turnover when Leandro DeBrito (Pawtucket, R.I./Shea/Monroe College) forced a fumble by Rainbow Warrior wide receiver Cedric Byrd which was picked up by fellow defensive back Spencer DeMedal (New Wilmington, Pa./Wilmington) at the UH 36-yard line.
This set up a six-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Parr (Jupiter, Fla./William T. Dwyer/FAU) to Nehari Crawford (Fort Pierce, Fla./Fort Pierce Central), giving the Dukes the early 7-0 edge.
During the scoring drive, Duquesne converted on a fourth-and-four when Brett Brumbaugh (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette) connected with Kellon Taylor (Landover, Md./DeMatha Catholic) for a 29-yard gain, putting Duquesne inside the Hawaii five-yard line.
The ensuing kickoff by Jacob Gill (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland) would drop in between Rainbow Warrior players near the Duquesne sideline where it was recovered by Bryan Glover (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic/Eastern Michigan) at the Hawaii 23-yard line.
Three plays later, the Dukes took advantage of the short field as Parr hit Aidan Cain (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) on a 20-yard scoring strike for the freshman's first career touchdown reception, giving the Dukes a 14-0 advantage just over seven minutes into the contest.
However, the explosive Rainbow Warriors, who came into the game averaging 495 yards of offense and 41.5 points per game, shook off their early mistakes and responded with 35 straight points, four coming off touchdown passes by McDonald.
Hawaii built a 21-14 halftime edge before pushing its lead to 35-14 in the fourth quarter following a McDonald one-yard touchdown pass to Dakota Torres with 7:48 to play.
Jassir Jordan (Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa/Milford Academy) would return the following kickoff 69 yards to the Rainbow Warrior 28-yard line, setting up a 10-yard touchdown pass from Parr to Taylor, shrinking the deficit to 35-21 with 6:11 showing on the clock.
Hawaii capped scoring on the night when McDonald found John Ursua for his second touchdown reception of the game on a seven-yard connection to extend the final margin to 42-21.
Parr threw for three touchdowns for the second straight game, completing 13-of-24 passes for 113 yards and no interceptions on the night.
Taylor caught four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown while Crawford hauled in five receptions for 29 yards and a score. He added 51 kick return yards, as well.
Brett Zanotto (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional/Maryland) notched a career-high 11 tackles in the game, including eight solo stops. Daquan Worley (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville/Penn State) added seven tackles (six solo) on the night for the Dukes.
McDonald finished with five touchdown passes to four different receivers on the night for Hawaii.
Duquesne has a bye week before opening conference play with a homecoming matchup against Bryant on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. ET at Arthur J. Rooney Field.
Game Notes
- Hawaii came into the contest having surrendered just two turnovers through the first four games of the year. Duquesne forced two Rainbow Warrior turnovers in the first five minutes of Saturday's game in addition to the recovered kickoff by Glover.
- The Dukes were a perfect 3-for-3 in the red zone on Saturday night and are 16-of-19 on the season in the red zone.
- Saturday's homecoming crowd of 26,175 at Aloha Stadium marks the largest crowd the Dukes have played in front of since the reinstatement of the program in 1969. This tops the previous record of 20,329 at Buffalo in 2014.
- The Dukes' 14-0 first-quarter advantage over the Rainbow Warriors is Duquesne's largest lead over an FBS opponent. The previous mark was four points when the Dukes led Buffalo 28-24 in the fourth quarter.
- Nehari Crawford now was six receiving touchdowns on the season and 27 for his career, good for fifth all-time in school history.
- Jonathant Istache's interception was his second of the year and fourth of his career.
- Daniel Parr now has nine touchdown passes on the season.
