DALLAS, TEXAS -- Hawaii quarterback Nick Rolovich hit Tafiti Uso with a six-yard scoring pass in overtime, then the Warrior defense held SMU on four downs from the five-yard line as the Warriors rallied for a 38-31 win over the Mustangs on Saturday afternoon at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
David Page hit Billy Ford with a 20-yard pass on SMU's second play in overtime, but Page threw four consecutive incompletions from the five-yard line as the Mustangs' dropped their fourth consecutive game to start the season.
"We just made too many mistakes to win," said SMU head coach Mike Cavan. "It has been the story of our season and it continued today. We can't win giving up the ball seven times like we did."
The Mustangs had two punts blocked, including one returned for a touchdown, that led to 10 Hawaii points. SMU committed five turnovers, including four lost fumbles.
The Mustangs led 17-3 at halftime and 24-10 when Page hit Johnnie Freeman with a 90-yard touchdown pass with 8:25 to play in the third period. The completion was the second longest pass play in school history.
Hawaii scored three straight touchdowns though, to take a 31-24 lead.
Rolovich hit Uso with a 45-yard touchdown pass on third-and-nine on Hawaii's next possession to cut the Mustang lead to 24-17. The Warriors tied on the game with 11 seconds left in the period, capitalizing on SMU's biggest mistake of the game. Punter Adam Walterscheid dropped a snap then tried to kick the ball but it was blocked right into the hands of Hawaii's Keith Bhonapha, who raced 45 yards untouched for a TD.
Hawaii capped its rally, taking a 31-24 lead when Thero Mitchell scored on an eight-yard touchdown run with 3:08 remaining but Jonas Rutledge returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a score to tie the game with 2:50 remaining.
The Warriors almost won the game at the end of regulation, but Justin Ayat's 47-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.
SMU got off to a quick start and led 10-0 after the first quarter. Jacob Crowley capped the Mustangs' first possession with a 37-yard field goal then Page hit Chris Cunningham with a 21-yard scoring pass.
Rutledge's interception and 60-yard return to the Hawaii 33-yard line set up SMU's second touchdown. Two plays later, Page found Cunningham for a 33-yard score that gave the Mustangs a 17-3 lead with 28 seconds left in the first half.
Page, making his first start of the season, completed 11-of-25 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.
SMU compiled a season-best 357 yards of total offense but allowed a season-high 473, including 325 yards through the air.
