University of Hawai'i kick returner A.J. Martinez made his Warriors debut last night, and the talk in the locker room after the game focused on one thing.

He was tackled by the kicker.

"I'll never live it down," he said.

But judging by the smile on his face, it didn't matter.

In his first collegiate game, Martinez returned two kicks for 111 yards, with a long of 67 yards to the New Mexico State 30-yard line — when he was stopped by kicker Coner Foley — to start the game. That return led to Hawai'i's first touchdown.

On the Aggies' two ensuing kickoffs, they kicked the ball away from him, and on their final kickoff in the fourth quarter, they went with an onside kick.

It has been a "long road" for the sophomore, who did not play the year after he graduated from Edison High in Huntington Beach, Calif., redshirted in 2003, and attended junior college last year.

"I kept positive, because I've always dreamed about playing for the U of H," he said. "I've been away from football so long, it's a dream."

His collegiate start was delayed because he encountered trouble, "on and off the field. I was messing up big time. But I realized I'm a grown man. I can't do stuff like that anymore."

He found out Tuesday that he would be returning kicks, taking over the position from junior Andre Taylor.

"Andre was doing both and he was kind of beat up," Hawai'i coach June Jones said. "We wanted more of a North and South guy.

"I'm really pleased. (Martinez) did everything we expected from him."

Jones said Martinez would continue to return kicks for the Warriors.

Martinez credited his blockers for his success last night.

"When they do good, it makes me look good," he said. "I was just trying to hit the holes as hard as I could."

SINGLETARY TAKES ILL

University of Hawai'i defensive line coach Vantz Singletary, 39, was transported to Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center for further evaluation after complaining of light-headedness and dizziness during the first half.

A hospital spokesperson said the medical center would not be releasing any information.

ILAOA NOT DRESSED

Hawai'i senior running back/slotback Nate Ilaoa was dressed in his jersey and green sweatpants for last night's game. He suffers from turf toe on his right foot.

"I'm just resting it for upcoming games," he said. "I could have gone tonight, but it was good to rest it."

He leads the team with 179 rushing yards and also has 78 receiving yards.

HAPPY HOMECOMING

As part of the University of Hawai'i's homecoming celebration, UH Athletic Director Herman Frazier appeared as Willy Wonka from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," complete with top hat and a candy-cane cane.

Frazier's Wonka helped to defeat Darth Vader in a skit.

The UH marching band performed its halftime show in costumes, with a "blockbuster movies" theme, with music from "Star Wars", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Batman."

Also part of an extended 25-minute halftime, up from the usual 20 minutes, was a Mascot Bowl, which included mascots such as UH's sumo wrestler, Papa John's pizza slices and the Hooter's owl.

UH is 6-1 in homecoming games under coach June Jones.

UNHAPPY HOMECOMING

New Mexico State freshman defensive lineman David Niumatalolo, a Kahuku graduate, started the game for the Aggies.

"It was a good trip, but it didn't end the way we wanted it to," he said.

Also playing for New Mexico State are two of his high school teammates, offensive lineman Maveu Heimuli and tight end Lauli Fonoti.

"It's going good," Niumatalolo said of his first season. "But we're just trying to get a win right now."

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.