LAS CRUCES, N.M. — It was supposed to be a showdown of quarterbacks in which running backs would be all but irrelevant.

But when the University of Hawai'i football team beat New Mexico State University, 49-30, last night, running back Nate Ilaoa was one of the busiest Warriors.

He carried a career-high 18 times for 94 yards and a touchdown in the Warriors' fourth consecutive victory of a 5-2 season.

It was the most carries by a UH running back in the last five seasons.

Twice in the game he carried the ball on three consecutive plays. "Yeah, a couple of times Nate came back (to the huddle) trying to get his breath," quarterback Colt Brennan said.

But take a breather?

"A running back always wants the ball," Ilaoa said. "But I'll do whatever the scheme calls for. As long as we win; that's the main thing. Everybody has a role."

And the Warriors were glad to give it to him.

"We always trust Nate with the ball," said center Samson Satele. "We know he'll come through."

Brennan said, "Everybody talks about how our passing game is so efficient, but when Nate is making runs, it makes things 10 times easier because the defense has to watch out for him, too."

Assistant coach Wes Suan said, "with the three-man rush, it opened things up for our running game."

So head coach June Jones said, "we wanted to get him some touches because we knew they'd be keying up to defend our passing game."

And when the Warriors did pass, Ilaoa and his backup, Reagan Mauia, who had seven carries for 26 yards, still played big roles.

"The other teams don't like running up against their blocks," Brennan said. "By the time the third or fourth quarter rolls around, they aren't looking to run into Nate or Reagan."

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.