Moniz Masterful in Romp Past LaTech

By Fred Guzman

Bryant Moniz will not threaten the astronomical numbers put up by Colt Brennan and Timmy Chang during their record-breaking careers at Hawaii.  But Moniz is already firmly entrenched as the third-most productive passer in UH annals.

Following up on a seven touchdown outing the week before, Moniz threw for four more scores – three of them to fellow senior Royce Pollard – in leading Hawaii to emphatic  44-26 road spanking of Louisiana Tech on Saturday.

Moniz connected on 34 of 54 passes for 410 yards. In the first quarter alone, he hit on 12 of 18 for 196 yards and two scores. Pollard finished with career highs of 10 catches and 216 yards.  UH also got a big boost from running back Joey Iosefa, who ran for 99 yards on 10 carries and picked up another 28 yards on two receptions.

The WAC-opening win improved Hawaii’s overall record to 3-2. Most significantly, given UH’s historical road woes, it was the team’s first  away win of the season.

LaTech fell to 1-4 overall, but three of those were close road losses to once-beaten Southern Mississippi, unbeaten Houston and Mississippi State of the SEC. That’s why the Bulldogs went into the game as a six-point favorite.

As a result of injuries to other players, Moniz ended up started for part  of his sophomore year after walking on and opening the season at No. 4 on the depth chart.  Since then, he’s amassed 8,604 yards and 64 TD against 26 picks.  He’s also run for 9 scores.

UH put Saturday’s game away on a pick six by senior safety Richard Torres and, on the ensuing kickoff, Tank Hopkins returned a muff 16 yards for another score, for a 41-13 lead with 7:50 left in the third period.

UH is off this week, returning to action on Oct. 14 at San Jose State.