Heisman Trophy candidate Bryant Moniz rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another as Hawaii defeated Colorado 34-17 on Saturday in Honolulu to spoil the coaching debut of Jon Embree.

Moniz, who led the country last season with 5,040 passing yards and 39 touchdowns, did it with his legs Saturday as he rushed for 127 yards in the first half. His 56-yard TD run made it 10-0 and his 14-yard score with 24 seconds left in the first half gave the Warriors a 17-0 lead.

Moniz added a 1-yard run in the third quarter to put Hawaii ahead 24-7. He finished 19-of-32 passing for 177 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown to Joey Iosefa in the fourth quarter to make it 31-17.

Paul Richardson caught two touchdown catches - 21 and 15 yards - from Tyler Hansen in the third quarter for Colorado, which began its first season as a member of the Pac-12 Conference.

Hawaii sacked Hansen seven times and held Rodney Stewart to 52 yards on 18 carries. Hansen finished 16-of-30 for 233 yards and an interception.

Embree, a former player and assistant at Colorado, took over for Dan Hawkins, who was 19-39 in nearly five seasons with the Buffaloes.