College Sports

Ward, Meskell's late FG help Hawaii beat Oregon State 31-28

Posted September 08, 2019 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Hawaii wide receiver JoJo Ward (9) catches a pass for a touchdown while being defended by Oregon State defensive back Jojo Forest (26) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner) The Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) - JoJo Ward had four touchdown receptions, Ryan Meskell kicked a 28-yard field goal late, and Hawaii escaped with a 31-28 win Oregon State on Saturday night.

The Rainbow Warriors (2-0) overcame a pair of 14-point deficits, scored the game's final 17 points and never led until Meskell's go-ahead kick.

Meskell missed his first three field goal attempts from 48, 27 and 48 yards - all of them wide left - before hitting the winner.

Oregon State has lost six in a row dating to last season and have just one win since beating Southern Utah 48-25 on Sept. 8, 2018.

Cole McDonald 30-of-52 passing for 421 yards and Ward finished with 10 catches for 189 yards. The pair hooked up on scoring strikes 29, 35, 5 and 29 yards.

It was the fourth time McDonald went over 400 passing yards in a game and Ward's fourth game eclipsing 100 receiving yards. Ward tied the school record for touchdown receptions in a game.

Oregon State had a chance to tie with 1:25 left, but Jordan Choukair's 52-yard field goal missed wide left. The Beavers eventually got the ball back with four seconds left, but could only get to the Hawaii 45.

Jermar Jefferson carried 31 times for 183 yards and a touchdown and Artavis Pierce added 79 yards and two scores on seven rushes for Oregon State (0-2). Isaiah Hodgins added seven receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown.

THE TAKEAWAY

Oregon State: The Beavers saw their string of four consecutive wins over Hawaii that dated to 2006 come to an end. It is their first loss to the Rainbow Warriors since the 1999 Oahu Bowl, when head coach Jonathan Smith was the team's starting quarter. Oregon State leads the all-time series 7-4.

Hawaii: The Rainbow Warriors have now beaten two Power 5 teams in the same season for the first time since 2006, when they beat Purdue and Arizona State. They are now 32-61 all-time against current members of the Pac-12. Their last eight wins against a Power 5 team have come against a Pac-12 opponent. It is Hawaii's third straight season with a 2-0 start, which was last achieved from 1980-'82.

NEXT UP

Oregon State: Hosts Cal Poly on Sept. 14 in the first meeting between the teams. The Beavers will play three of their next four games at home.

Hawaii: Visits No. 14 Washington on Sept. 14 in its only non-conference road game of the season. The Rainbow Warriors are 2-3 all-time against the Huskies.

Hawaii defensive lineman Mason Vega (43) along with his teammates celebrate after Oregon State place kicker Jordan Choukair misses a game tying field goal late in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Honolulu. Hawaii beat Oregon State 31-28. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner) The Associated Press

Hawaii wide receiver Jason-Matthew Sharsh (3) finds the pass just out of his reach while being defended by Oregon State defensive back Jaydon Grant (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner) The Associated Press

Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson (22) looks for the end zone after hurdling Hawaii defensive back Kalen Hicks (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner) The Associated Press

Oregon State quarterback Jake Luton (6) throws a pass doing pregame warmups before the start of an NCAA college football game against Hawaii, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner) The Associated Press

Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich glances at the scoreboard during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon State, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner) The Associated Press

Hawaii wide receiver JoJo Ward (9) lifts his teammate wide receiver Jared Smart (23) celebrating his touch down reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon State, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner) The Associated Press

Oregon State wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (17) can't haul in a pass as Hawaii defensive back Cortez Davis (18) looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Honolulu. Hawaii beat Oregon State 31-28. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner) The Associated Press

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