The game marked Hawai'i's 6th appearance in the Hawai'i Bowl since its inception in 2002. The invitation acceptance marked the earliest acceptance to a bowl game in the school's history. The Warriors finished the regular season with a 10–3 record and a share of the WAC Conference Championship. Although Hawai'i lost to co-champion Boise State they upset Nevada to become co-champions. Hawaii quarterback Bryant Moniz threw for a nation-leading 4,629 yards with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Top receivers were senior slot receivers Greg Salas and Kealoha Pilares. The Warriors boasted the nation's 8th best team in terms of total offense.
Tulsa made their 3rd bowl appearance in coach Todd Graham's tenure with the team. They entered the game with a 9–3 record which included a key victory over Notre Dame. Overall, the Golden Hurricane won their last six games of the season. Tulsa ranked number 5 in the country in total offense, averaging a total of 503.5 yards per game. Tulsa was 2–0 in bowl games under Graham winning the GMAC Bowl following the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Junior quarterback G.J. Kinne was named offensive Player of the Year and junior Damaris Johnson was named the special teams Player of the Year in the Conference USA.
Game summary
Scoring
Scoring Play
Score
1st Quarter
Tulsa – Alex Singleton 3-yard run (Kevin Fitzpatrick kick), 12:09
Tulsa 7–0
Tulsa – Kevin Fitzpatrick 42-yard field goal, 1:29
Tulsa 10–0
2nd Quarter
Hawaii – Shane Austin 1-yard run (Scott Enos kick), 12:54
Tulsa 10–7
Tulsa – John Flanders 54-yard interception return from Austin (Fitzpatrick kick), 11:08
Tulsa – Damaris Johnson 67-yard run (Fitzpatrick kick), 4:57
Tulsa 41–28
Tulsa – Thomas Roberson 47-yard pass from Kinne(Fitzpatrick kick), 3:12
Tulsa 48–28
4th Quarter
Hawaii – Royce Pollard 33-yard pass from Moniz(Enos kick), 9:27
Tulsa 48–35
Tulsa – Johnson 3-yard run (Fitzpatrick kick), 7:00
Tulsa 55–35
Tulsa – Johnson 9-yard pass from Kinne (Fitzpatrick kick), 1:16
Tulsa 62–35
Statistics
Statistics
Hawaii
Tulsa
First Downs
27
18
Total offense, plays – yards
57–542
48–534
Rushes-yards (net)
27–71
31–188
Passing yards (net)
471
346
Passes, Comp-Att-Int
30–56–5
17–32–0
Time of Possession
33:30
26:30
Game notes
The game also marked the first meeting between Tulsa and Hawaii since 2004, the last year Tulsa was in the WAC before leaving for C-USA. Overall Hawaii held a 5–3 advantage in the series. This was the first time the two schools had met in a bowl game.
Tulsa set a Hawai‘i Bowl record with the 62 points, the most points given up by a UH team since 2005 in a 63–17 loss to then No.1 USC.
