ON THIS DATE IN 1986: Heikoti Fakava introduces himself

On this date in 1986, Dick Tomey‘s blocking back became a star.

Heikoti Fakava ran for 153 yards and two touchdowns to lead Hawaii over New Mexico 27-10 at Aloha Stadium the previous day. Fakava entered the game with 142 yards in his two years as a blocking back. He reeled off 153 yards as the first option against New Mexico.

Tomey left for Arizona following the season, and Favaka was instilled as the single back in Bob Wagner’s offense. All the former walk-on from Moanalua did after that is break records, scoring five touchdowns against Yale and finishing his career with a school-record 31 rushing touchdowns and third on the career rushing list with 2,111.

After a brief tryout with the Seattle Seahawks, Fakava became a narcotics officer in California. He died in 2012 at the age of 46.