Aina team wins Hula Bowl with thrilling end

Clemson’s Reggie Merriweather scored on a 1-yard run with 44 seconds left, and Tigers teammate Will Proctor completed a 2-point conversion pass to Tennessee’s Bret Smith to help the Aina beat the Kai 18-10 in the Hula Bowl on Sunday night in Honolulu.

Alabama cornerback Ramzee Robinson then intercepted Boise State quarterback Jared Zabransky’s pass and returned it for a touchdown with 10 seconds left, giving the Aina team 15 points in 34 seconds.

The Kai, which had a 10-3 lead heading into the final minute, had one final shot, but Zabransky couldn’t repeat his Fiesta Bowl magic, with his desperation pass falling short.

It was a thrilling finish to a game that was a defensive struggle.

With the game in hand and the Kai trying to drive down the clock, Wisconsin quarterback John Stocco fumbled the ball, giving Aina the ball on the Kai 39 with less than 3 minutes to play. The fumble was recovered by Navy’s David Mahoney.

Proctor then completed a 20-yard pass on third-and-11 to Smith to set up the Aina’s first touchdown.

Proctor finished 9 of 15 for 107 yards. Zabransky was 7 of 12 for 67 yards with a touchdown and the late interception.

Aloha Stadium was barren with bigger crowds outside at the swap meet in the parking lot. But the small crowd was spirited and treated to a good game.

The 61st Hula Bowl was played in Honolulu for the second straight year after eight years on Maui, where it struggled with finances and attendance.

The Kai couldn’t get much going after scoring on its opening series of the game.

Zabransky threw a swing pass to Hawaii’s 250-pound running back, Nate Ilaoa, who rumbled 16 yards down the left sideline and dove into the end zone.