Stewart leads Nevada over Hawaii 31-9

RENO, Nev. — Freshman Tyler Stewart threw for 202 yards and three touchdowns in his first collegiate start as Nevada defeated Hawaii 31-9 on Saturday.

Starting for the injured Cody Fajardo, Stewart completed 14 of 20 passes in his debut for the Wolf Pack (2-2, 1-0 Mountain West). Kolby Arendse (4 catches, 77 yards) caught two short first-half touchdown passes from Stewart as Nevada went up 17-9 at halftime.

Hawaii (0-3, 0-1) lost quarterback Taylor Graham to injury in the first half and was shut out in the second half. The Rainbow Warriors turned the ball over six times, four interceptions and two fumbles, one of which was returned two yards by linebacker Alex Bertrando for a touchdown.

Diocemy Saint Juste led Hawaii in rushing with 82 yards on 12 carries.

Graham was 9 of 15 for 77 yards, and led the Rainbow Warriors on their only touchdown drive. He hit Chris Gant in the end zone from 21 yards with 2:45 left in the first half.

Sean Schroeder took over for the injured Graham. On the opening drive of the third quarter, he was intercepted by Nevada defensive end Brock Hekking at the Hawaii 12 and Nevada quickly went up 24-9 on a 7-yard strike from Stewart to Brandon Wimberly.

Hekking had three sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception for the Wolf Pack. His sack of Schroeder with 10:25 left in the fourth quarter forced a fumble, which prompted Bertrando’s touchdown return to make it 31-9.

Hawaii outgained Nevada in total yardage, 376 to 340, but also missed a pair of fourth-and-short opportunities in Nevada territory that turned the ball over to the Wolf Pack.