
Aug 26, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Hawaii Warriors head coach Timmy Chang yells to his players during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Quick Hits from Hawai’i Football’s 44-20 loss in Mountain West-opener at UNLV
BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED SEP 30, 2023
The Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors fell on the road to UNLV, 44-20, in the Mountain West Conference-opener to fall to 2-4 on the season and drop to 0-1 in conference play. The Rebels rushed for over 300 yards on the ground and registered six sacks, dominating in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Below, you can find the quick hitters of the action from the ‘Bows loss in the 9th Island and slow start to conference play.
GAME LOG:
1ST HALF
- ‘Bows come up empty in first two offensive drives.
- UNLV scores first as Maiava finds Davis Jr. for a 16-yard TD pass out of the backfield.
- Rebels go up 10-0 after a 52-yard field goal make.
- Hawai’i kicks field goal to get on board, down 10-3 with 12:08 left in 1st half.
- UNLV answers with FG of their own, 13-3.
- ‘Bows fumble late in half in own territory.
- Back-to-back Hawai’i personal foul penalties fuel UNLV touchdown drive to close 1st half, 20-3 Rebels’ lead.
2ND HALF
- Teams trade three-and-outs to open 2nd half.
- Trick play, flea-flicker 51-yd TD Schager Bomb to McBride to spark offense.
- UNLV drives field and responds with 21-yard TD run by Courtney Reese.
- UH able to chip away with 33-yard field goal to make it a two-score game again, 27-13.
- Rebels drain the rest of 3rd quarter clock, kick field goal to open final quarter and push lead back to 30-13.
- Hawai’i with a quick drive, capped by 38-yard TD pass down the left sideline to freshman WR Alex Perry to cut lead to 30-20.
- 10-play, 80-yard drive over four minutes for UNLV puts Rebels up 17 with 8:18 left to play (37-20).
- ‘Bows see 50+ yard gain for Ashlock on 4th-and-1 called back from pick play, forced to punt away with six minutes left and down three scores.
- UNLV RB Donavyn Lester breaks tackles for a 22-yard rushing touchdown to give Rebels the biggest lead of the day, 44-20
- Hawai’i drives the field before Karsyn Pupunu had the ball ripped from hands in end zone for a Rebels’ INT to close the game with less than 90 seconds left.
Hawai’i enters the bye week with multiple injuries to continue healing from, penalty problems and need to look back at the trenches and two weeks to progress it all before returning to action at home against San Diego State.
The time off to reset couldn’t have happened sooner for the ‘Bows, down Virdel Edwards II and Elijah Palmer in the secondary. Alex Perry did not return to the game after a collision over the middle led to the freshman being checked for a head injury.
You can follow @12brecht on X (formerly Twitter) for updates on Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors athletics.
Notes & Quotes: Holloway Expects “The Most Dangerous Conor McGregor” at UFC 329
LAS VEGAS — More than 12 years after they first shared the Octagon, Hawaiʻi's Max Holloway and former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor are set to meet again in the main event of UFC 329 this Saturday night in Las Vegas. The two first met in...
Hawaiian Stars rally over Aloha Stars in 6th annual Chace Numata Senior All-Star Classic
Coverage of the 6th Annual Chace Numata Senior All-Star Classic on HSRN is presented by SportStan Sporting Goods.At SportStan it's not just sporting goods, it's a way of life.WAIPAHU – It’s Fourth of July weekend; the fireworks were...
Rising Defensive Prospect Davian Whitener Commits to Hawaii
Davian Whitener spent months weighing one of the biggest decisions of his football career. When the process finally came to an end, the feeling was a mix of excitement and relief. The Class of 2027 prospect from Desert Mountain High School has...
Former Hawaii star Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson to play in NBA Summer League
Big Fish is getting the call to the big leagues. Well, the NBA’s Summer League, at least. Former University of Hawai’i standout and Big West 1st-team center Isaac Johnson will play for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las...
Kamehameha linebacker Linkin Apana commits to TCU Football
PEARL CITY — No matter the obstacle — a season-ending injury, a position switch or the uncertainty that can come with recruiting — Linkin Apana kept moving forward. Last Friday, surrounded by over 50 family members and friends gathered at his...
Ruiz rises to associate head coach role ahead of second season at Hawai’i Pacific
HONOLULU – Success always brings swings of change. Following the program’s third-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025-26, the Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball program saw a plethora of changes throughout the offseason. The Sharks...
Kamehameha linebacker Evan Cazimero commits to Colorado State
From backup to breakout star, Kamehameha linebacker Evan Duke Cazimero is ready for the next level. Cazimero announced his commitment to Colorado State University on June 11, ending a recruiting process that took the rising junior from backup...
Campbell defensive back Isaiah Chong commits to Sacramento State
EWA BEACH — Campbell defensive back Isaiah Chong announced his commitment to Sacramento State on Monday, choosing the Hornets over four other finalists and reaffirming a pledge he had previously withdrawn following a coaching change. Chong, a...
Sistahhood Social 5: Straight Outta Sistahhood – 90’s Edition
The Nā Koa Football Club announces the return of one of its most popular events with the fifth annual Sistahhood Social. This year's theme is “Straight Outta Sistahhood – 90’s Edition.” Hosted by University of Hawaii football head coach Timmy Chang...
UH Athletics Receives $5 Million NIL Commitment; Leaders Call on Community to Join Effort
HONOLULU — University of Hawaiʻi Athletics received a major boost Wednesday as five prominent Hawaiʻi donors and organizations announced a combined $5 million commitment over the next five years to support student-athlete Name, Image and Likeness...


