Learning how to turn on a bad left knee has helped Turmarian Moreland turn his season around with the University of Hawai'i football team.

Moreland was one of the bright spots for the Warriors in a 27-13 loss to Fresno State yesterday.

In only his second start of the season, the senior cornerback intercepted two passes and was in on six tackles.

"I just come to play every day," Moreland said. "Whatever decision is made by the coaches, it's out of my hand. All I can do is perform when I get my chance."

A strained knee kept Moreland on the bench earlier this season, but injuries to other defensive backs put him back in.

He made his first start of the season last week at San Jose State in place of Kenny Patton.

"I think they were looking at me and Kenny as the starters (at cornerback) when the season started, but my knee wasn't ready," Moreland said. "I never had knee problems before, so I had to adjust. I had to learn how to cut, how to turn, all of that."

He now leads the team with four interceptions, and has intercepted a pass in three consecutive games. The rest of the team has combined for four interceptions, and no other player has more than one.

"I just try to make things happen when I'm on the field," he said.

His first interception came off a tipped pass, and he returned it 36 yards to help set up a Hawai'i field goal.

His second pick came in the fourth quarter to end a Fresno State drive into Hawai'i territory.

"Looking back, I wish I could have returned the first pick all the way," he said. "We could have used the points."

BULLDOGS GAVE UP YARDS, BUT NOT POINTS

Fresno State entered yesterday's game with the top-ranked defense in the Western Athletic Conference, and the Bulldogs proved it by holding Hawai'i to a season-low 13 points.

The Bulldogs surrendered 456 yards in total offense, but Hawai'i was able to score only one touchdown.

"We did the job inside the 20 (yard line)," Fresno State head coach Pat Hill said. "The main thing when you play this (Hawai'i) team is you have to hold the points down. You can't let this team get big plays on you."

The Bulldogs said their game plan was to give Hawai'i the short passes but limit the yards after the catch.

"It was gut-check time for us because some of those little dudes are fast," Fresno State linebacker Alan Goodwin said. "We just wanted to give them little stuff in the middle of the field and keep them from scoring."

NOTES

The Warriors dropped to 3-5 with yesterday's loss and now need to win their final four games to be bowl-eligible. "Stranger things have happened," head coach June Jones said. "Nobody thought we'd win four at the end of last year."

Running back Nate Ilaoa rushed for 95 yards on 10 carries yesterday. It was the best rushing performance by a Hawai'i player this season. The Warriors have not had a 100-yard rusher in their last 12 games.

Yesterday's game was televised on ABC. Hawai'i is 9-27-2 in games televised by national networks, including 8-10 under Jones.

Fresno State snapped a five-game losing streak in Aloha Stadium.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.