On a night of significant career firsts — his first rushing touchdown, his first 200-yard passing game — quarterback Inoke Funaki couldn't help but revel in his most hard-earned milestone: The first time since he's been a starter that he's been able to enter and exit his home field to more applause than grousing whispers.

Fresh off the Warriors' stunning upset over Fresno State last week, Funaki and his teammates were hoping to ride the momentum and further establish themselves as legitimate players in Western Athletic Conference race. A stumble against struggling Louisiana Tech would have loosed the critics temporarily muzzled after the Fresno win.

"It's definitely a lot better feeling walking off instead of disappointed like we did after San Jose State," Funaki said. "The O-line really dug deep tonight and our receivers pulled off some big plays to get us the lead."

And though he may be loathe to admit it — Funaki spent more time re-examining his wounds from San Jose State than talking about his success last night — Funaki's sure hand and always active feet were as much responsible for the Warriors win as the standout performances of the defensive and special teams.

Funaki finished the evening having completed 14 of 24 pass attempts for a 224 yards (all career highs) and two touchdowns. He also rushed 12 times for 43 yards and, surprisingly, the first rushing touchdown of his college career.

Funaki's previous career high in passing yards (173) came in the loss to San Jose State two weeks ago.

"Inoke is a different breed of quarterback," said running back Leon Wright-Jackson. "What he used to do at Kahuku was unbelievable, from what I've heard. He's a dual threat, and what our coaches are letting him do now, I think that's great for our team. He can throw the ball and run the ball, and we're all running behind him because we believe in him."

After a slow start, Funaki came alive in the Warriors' third possession of the night with a dazzling 53-yard completion to Malcolm Lane. Two plays later, Funaki faked a shovel pass to Kealoha Pilares and scampered 6 yards for his first rushing score.

Funaki said his ability to scramble is at times as much a problem as it is a solution, particularly when he breaks out of the pocket too soon. In a pivotal drive late in the second quarter, with the score tied at 7, Funaki demonstrated that he's capable of melding his rushing and passing abilities to maximum effect.

On third-and-7 on the UH 33, Funaki dropped back and spotted receiver Greg Salas breaking deep. But as he cocked back to throw, Funaki realized a defender had broken through and was mere inches from throwing him to the turf.

Funaki evaded the defender's grasp, reversed field past a trio of late-arriving tackles, then followed his blockers up the right sideline for a 19-yard gain and a crucial first down.

"I don't know how I got out of that," Funaki said. "I was about to throw deep to Greg but I think I felt (the defender's) hand on the ball or something. I don't know what happened next. The next thing I remember, he wasn't there anymore and I was still up so I tried to make something happen."

From there, Funaki took to the air, connecting with Pilares for a 23-yard gain and capping the drive with a 25-yarder to Salas in the end zone.

Less than a minute later, after UH recovered a Louisiana Tech fumble, Funaki zipped a shovel pass to Pilares for a 20-yard touchdown that effectively sealed the game before the half was even over.

UH quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich said he'd still like Funaki to improve on his accuracy, but he's happy with the progress he's shown from week to week. He said Funaki's newfound job security as the No. 1 quarterback was "definitely" a big factor in his improved play.

"The early-season questioning was a distraction for everyone — coaches, players, fans," said Rolovich. "It wasn't an easy situation for anyone, but now that's over with and everyone is buying into where we're going. Every snap (Funaki) takes, he's getting more and more confident. The guys are playing for him and we're getting wins. That's the most important thing."