JoJo Ward and Ryan Meskell’s late FG help Hawaii beat Oregon State 31-28

HONOLULU – 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 has just one win since beating Southern Utah 48-25 on Sept. 8, 2018.

Cole McDonald was 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.