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HONOLULU - Hawaii football players blamed the Cincinnati Bearcats for their post-game brawl Saturday night and even challenged them to another.

UC and Hawaii players scuffle at the end of the game. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

Hawaii assistant coach Mike Cavanaugh separates players. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

Players from both teams charged onto the field and had to be separated by police after scuffling for about five minutes following Hawaii's 20-19 come-from-behind victory.

"We got a chance to get a lot of licks in," Hawaii offensive lineman Uriah Moenoa said. "They lost the game and they lost the fight."

Responding to speculation that the Bearcats and Warriors could meet again in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Day, Moenoa said:

"I would love that. We can just skip the game and go straight to the fight."

UC receiver Tye Keith emerged from the fight with a bloody face. UC coach Rick Minter would not comment after the game and his players were not available.

UC athletic director Bob Goin issued a statement today denouncing Hawaii officials for creating an unsafe atmosphere during the game. (Story)

Tension built during the game as the Bearcats were whistled for several personal fouls, including a late hit by Tyjuan Hagler with 2:39 left that sent Hawaii quarterback Timmy Chang out of the game with a knee injury. Chang had thrown a 33-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Cockheran with just over five minutes remaining to provide the winning score for the Warriors (9-2).

"It was a cheap shot," Hawaii offensive lineman Vince Manuwai said.

UC's Tyjuan Hagler chases Hawaii QB Timmy Chang. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

Hawaii running back Thero Mitchell said a Cincinnati player threw a punch as the Warriors' quarterback took a knee to run out the clock.

"Everybody was in each others faces and they were jawing a lot, that was going the whole game," Mitchell said. "One person threw a punch from their team and that's all it took."

Fans threw water bottles and trash at Cincinnati players leaving the field. Police escorting the Bearcats to their locker room used pepper spray to disperse some rowdy fans. No arrests were made.

Hawaii coach June Jones downplayed the confrontation.

"It was unfortunate that it happened, but we scored one more point than they did, so that's all I care about at this point," Jones said.

"They came a long way and they lost a tough game. So sometimes emotions get the better of you."

UC's Willis Edwards stops Hawaii's Chad Owens. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

Gino Guidugli throws. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

It was definitely a tough loss for the Bearcats (5-6), who came in on a three-game winning streak. Running back DeMarco McCleskey carried 31 times for 121 yards - giving him 1,043 for the year. Gino Guidugli competed 19 of 41 passes for 231 yards and one touchdown. But the Bearcats must have been frustrated about settling for four Jonathan Ruffin field goals despite good field position. They didn't score a touchdown after the first quarter.

UC's defense kept the Warriors' high-flying offense grounded for most of the game. The 20 points was the lowest output of the season for the Hawaii Bowl-bound Warriors (9-2), one of the top scoring teams in the nation. Their previous low this season was 31 points.

Hawaii entered the game first in the nation in total offense, second in passing and fifth in scoring, but finished well-under those totals.

The Bearcats jumped off to a 7-0 lead when Guidugli connected with LaDaris Vann on a 5-yard pass.

Hawaii's Owens, who missed the past four games with a sprained right knee, made an immediate impact. His punt returns of 21 and 38 yards in the second quarter set up Hawaii's first two scores, a pair of 1-yard dives by Thero Mitchell, to give the Warriors a 14-10 halftime lead after Ruffin kicked a 47-yard field goal.

Cincinnati regained the lead in the third quarter, 16-14, on Ruffin field goals of 35 and 25 yards.

McCleskey provided most of Cincinnati's second-half comeback, picking up 64 yards in the third quarter to help set up Ruffin's points. McCleskey became the 12th player in Cincinnati history to post a 1,000-yard season.

UC's Blue Adams tackles Hawaii's Thero Mitchell. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

Ruffin's 25-yard field goal - his 10th straight successful attmept- made it 19-14, but Hawaii took advantage of a short punt to set up the winning touchdown.

Chang sprained his knee on the last series of the first half and sat out until the fourth quarter.

Hawaii, trailing 19-14, seemed to lose a golden opportunity when Chris Brown intercepted a Guidugli pass and ran it 26 yards to the UC 12 with 8:18 left. On the next play, UC's Ivan Fields intercepted Chang's pass. But Hawaii's defense stuffed the Bearcats and the Warriors took over at their own 49. Chang then completed three of four passes for the winning drive, though his attempt at a two-point conversion pass failed.

Chang left the game a second time when he was hit late on an incomplete pass with 2:39 left. Hagler appeared to fall onto Chang's leg and received a 15-yard roughing penalty. The Bearcats were called for another personal foul with 1:15 left. Hawaii then ran out the clock, and the free-for-all began.

Chang, on crutches and with a knee brace, declined to talk to reporters after the game. He was to undergo an MRI today.

Chang completed 23-of-42 passes for 219 yards.

The win was Hawaii's sixth straight and the ninth straight at Aloha Stadium, dating back to last season.

UC fans, players harassed, Goin says

	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	FINAL
Cincinnati	7	3	6	3	19
Hawaii	0	14	0	6	20