RENO, Nev. — Ty Gangi accounted for five touchdowns, Kelton Moore became the first Nevada player to rush for over 200 yards in a game since 2012 and the Wolfpack beat Hawaii 35-21 Saturday night for their first win of the season — and the first career win for coach Jay Norvell.
Moore had 19 carries for 216 yards — the first 100-yard rusher for Nevada (1-5, 1-1 Mountain West) this season — and added five receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown. Gangi was 25-of-32 passing for 278 yards and four scores and had a 17-yard TD run.
Hawaii (2-4, 0-3) took a 14-7 lead when Dru Brown connected with Kade Greeley on a 42-yard touchdown pass with 3:55 left in the first half but, on the first play of Nevada’s next offensive possession, Moore ran 43 yards to the 28, setting up Gangi’s TD run . The Rainbow Warriors were called for three penalties and lost 9 yards on their ensuing possession and then were called for two more — including targeting on linebacker Penei Pavihi — as the Wolfpack went 66 yards in 26 seconds to take a 21-14 lead when Gangi hit Wyatt Demps for a 2-yard score with 18 seconds left in the half.
Moore added a 22-yard touchdown reception and, after a 75-yard scoring run by Hawaii’s Diocemy Saint Juste, Demps scored on a 32-yard catch in the second half. Demps finished with seven receptions for 111 yards.
Saint Juste finished with 24 carries for a career-high 241 yards for Hawaii, which has lost four in a row. The senior moved into third on the program’s career rushing list with 2,484 yards, moving past Travis Sims (2,311).
Naeole resigns
Prior to the game on Friday, Chris Naeole resigned as the University of Hawaii football team’s offensive line coach, citing “philosophical differences with the handling of disciplinary matters in the program.”
Naeole issued the statement through his lawyer, ending speculation about his status after he missed two practices this week and did not accompany the Rainbow Warriors on their trip to Reno.
There were multiple suspensions in recent weeks. At least four players were suspended for the Sept. 23 game against Wyoming. Three players were suspended for last week’s game against Colorado State. One of the suspensions involved a situation beyond team rules and initially out of the program’s jurisdiction.
“When there is a situation that is more than violation of team rules, it is referred to the appropriate unit, either the Office of Judicial Affairs, responsible for upholding the student conduct code, or the Office of Title IX,” UH spokesman Dan Meisenzahl said. “After a full investigation, the appropriate office determines the disciplinary action, which can range from no further action to expulsion.”
No UH player was suspended for more than two games.
Offensive coordinator Brian Smith and graduate assistant John Estes are now coaching the offensive linemen.
“In my heart, I believe I served the program and the student-athletes to the best of my ability, and with the same work ethic, desire and passion to excel that pushed me at all levels of my playing career,” Naeole said in his statement. “However, due to certain philosophical differences with the handling of disciplinary matters in the program, I’ve offered my resignation as the offensive line coach. I have always believed in the integrity and principles of what our community and the University stands for and those same beliefs are what I have tried to instill in my players.”
Naeole was in his fifth season as a UH coach. After Chow was dismissed as head coach during the 2015 season, Naeole served as interim head coach for the final four games. Naeole, a Kahuku High graduate and All-America lineman at Colorado, played 12 NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints and Jacksonville Jaguars.