If not for Gerard Lewis, Hawai'i would not be in the Sugar Bowl.

For that matter, if not for Myron Newberry, the Warriors would probably be ringing in the New Year in Honolulu.

The same could be said for Ryan Mouton and many others in the secondary.

On Sept. 8 in Ruston, La., with UH clinging to a 45-44 lead in overtime, Louisiana Tech decided to go for a two-point conversion and the win. But thanks to Lewis, who knocked down the pass, UH's dream was kept alive.

In San Jose on Oct. 12, after the Warriors rallied from a 14-point deficit with four minutes left in regulation and took a 42-35 lead in overtime, Newberry intercepted a pass in the end zone to end the game.

In UH's home finale Dec. 1 against Washington, with the Warriors clinging to a 35-28 lead and their Bowl Championship Series hopes, Mouton intercepted a deflected pass in the end zone to seal the victory.

Three plays that helped save the season; all three plays made by the secondary.

"It's one of those things where somebody has to make a play and we've happened to be real fortunate that it's been us," said defensive backs coach Rich Miano. "Myron, Gerard, Ryan Mouton, Jacob Patek, they've all made great plays."

The steady play of the senior cornerbacks Lewis and Newberry are a big reason No. 10 Hawai'i finds itself in the New Year's Day Sugar Bowl.

"We've had 19 interceptions, two away from the school record," said Miano. "(Defensive coordinator, Greg) McMackin's schemes, the techniques that we're playing put us in position to make plays, but the players really believing in what we do has made the difference."

The belief in the system has paid off as injuries have taken a toll during the season.

Despite losing starting free safety Keao Monteilh to a fractured left scapula, junior Desmond Thomas has filled in admirably.

"Desmond's done a great job," said Miano. "He's a converted wide receiver so we knew he gets to the ball well. We knew he's tough. He's been a really good addition and a great surprise. We're very happy with him."

Mouton, a junior college teammate of Patek at Blinn JC in Texas, is the most versatile of the group. He is the top nickel back, has seen spot duty at cornerback, and against Washington, filled in at safety for an injured Patek.

"He's never played safety in practice or in a game. All of a sudden our safeties got hurt on the first series, we put Ryan Mouton back at safety and he's so smart and so instinctive, he could play anywhere," said Miano.

Thomas is fourth on the team in tackles with 55 and has one interception with four passes defended.

Patek, a strong safety, has 67 tackles, third-best on the team, and has intercepted two passes. Patek's late interception sealed a 28-26 rally at Nevada on Nov. 16.

"We know that if we're on the field at the end of the game, we believe somebody's going to make a great play," Miano said.

Lewis has 48 tackles, two picks, four passes defended and a fumble recovery.

"Gerard has great instincts. He and Myron pulled away from everyone else and have made some amazing plays," Miano said.

"This team's spirit has been tested numerous times now and each time we've passed," said McMackin. "The thing is it hasn't always been one guy. We know we can count on each guy out here."

Newberry, a first-team All-Western Athletic Conference selection, is tied for the team lead with four interceptions. He also has 51 tackles, eight passes defended and one fumble recovery.

Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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