Thompson, Bright lead No. 18 Utah State past Hawaii 56-17

Utah State wide receiver Aaren Vaughns (11) runs with the football in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Hawaii, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)

HONOLULU (AP) — Darwin Thompson and Gerold Bright each ran for three touchdowns as No. 18 Utah State extended its winning streak to eight games with a 56-17 win over Hawaii on Saturday night.

The Aggies (8-1, 5-0 Mountain West) amassed 601 yards of total offense, including 426 rushing, and had a pair of 28-point quarters to pull away from the Rainbow Warriors (6-5, 3-3).

Thompson rushed 13 times for a career-best 141 yards and scored on a pair of 1-yard runs, as well as a 26-yard sprint. Bright carried a career-high 16 times for 121 yards and found the end zone on runs of 18, 47 and 9 yards.

Jordan Love threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Ron’quavion Tarver and ran in a 1-yard score on the final play of the first quarter.

Cole McDonald threw a pair of touchdown passes for Hawaii, which finished with 390 yards of total offense.

The Aggies rushed for 400 or more yards for the first time since the 2016 season, when they recorded 428 rushing yards in a win over Weber State.

Utah State built a 28-3 halftime lead.

THE TAKEAWAY

Utah State: Despite the lopsided score, the Aggies were dealt a blow when Love, a sophomore quarterback, sustained an undisclosed injury in the second quarter. Love kept the ball on a run play and was upended at the Hawaii 6-yard line after a short gain. Although he landed firmly on his back, Love finished the series, but was replaced by freshman Henry Colombi on Utah State’s next series. Love, who has thrown for 2,185 yards and 19 touchdowns on the season, did not return to the game.

Hawaii: Since a 6-1 start to the season, the Rainbow Warriors have lost their last four games. It was their 10th consecutive loss against a nationally ranked opponent. They are now 10-43 all-time against ranked opponents, including 9-26 at home.

Hawaii averaged 42 points and 495.8 yards per contest through its first seven games this season, but is managing just 20.5 points and 361.5 yards of total offense during its current losing streak.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

With losses by six teams ranked above them — including No. 14 Penn State, No. 15 Texas, No. 16 Utah and No. 17 Houston — the Aggies will likely climb a few spots in the next poll.

UP NEXT

Utah State: Home against San Jose State on Saturday, and then close the regular season with road games at Colorado State and at Boise State.

Hawaii: After 11 games in as many weeks, the Rainbow Warriors have their bye next week. They host UNLV on Nov. 17.

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