Five players to watch for in first road game for Hawai’i against Sam Houston State

HONOLULU – Back after a bye, Hawai’i football is hitting the road for the first time in 2024. 

Coming off a disappointing 16-13 loss to UCLA in Week 1, the Rainbow Warriors (1-1) used a much-needed break in the action for players to recover after multiple UH players exited with injury against the Bruins. Pofele Ashlock scored the lone touchdown in the loss for Hawai’i, his 10th career score and first time in the end zone this season. 

With questions aplenty for the program and players, Hawai’i heads to the continent off one of UH’s three byes for the first road game of this year as they visit Sam Houston State. In two seasons under head coach Timmy Chang, Hawai’i is 1-11 on the road in two seasons and is 0-2 in games following a bye but hope to change fortunes Saturday in what will be a homecoming to Texas for eight Rainbow Warriors. 

Sam Houston State, in the program’s second year at the FBS level and first bowl-eligible season, will be fighting hard for a key win for bowl game hopes much like the Rainbow Warriors this weekend. With a battle with the Bearkats on the way, here are five players to keep an eye on for UH’s Week 3 contest.

QB Brayden Schager 

One of the eight players to be returning to Texas for the first time as Rainbow Warriors, starting quarterback Brayden Schager will be looking to leave a lasting impression for onlookers during his homecoming. Week 1 for the signal caller was less-than-stellar as Schager tossed a pair of interceptions and struggled to move the chains after halftime as he got banged up against a physical Bruins defense. With an extra week off to recover, Schager is expected to be a full-go for Saturday to lead the offense against Sam Houston. 

It will be an important showing for the gunslinger after a pair of shaky performances to begin the year. Schager has struggled to connect with pass-catchers at times through two games and has delivered too many passes slightly behind receivers when throwing over the middle. While he has shown flashes of brilliance (Schager completed 6-of-6 passes for 51 yards and a touchdown in UH’s opening drive against UCLA), Hawai’i will need more consistency to achieve the team’s goals. 

This was a game that Schager had mentioned during Mountain West media days as one he had circled on the calendar. With a lot of his family and friends expected to be in attendance, look for Schager to try and show out back on his home soil. 

RB Landon Sims 

After receiving a scholarship at the beginning of the season, Sims has continued to hold on to the starting running back role through the first two games for Hawai’i. While he has started and received the most carries each game among backs, five different players have gotten chances for a Rainbow Warriors team that has struggled to run over the past couple seasons. 

Last week against UCF, Sam Houston State’s defense allowed 384 yards on the ground in a 45-14 loss. While the Bearkats’ defense is likely to bounce back (Sam Houston State allowed just 47 yards rushing in win over Rice), Saturday is a chance for Sims to separate himself from the pack of backs looking to be Hawai’i’s answer in the backfield.  

Hawai’i RB Landon Sims runs through a tackle during a win over DSU. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

The big, physical runner has had big runs that have helped set up three different touchdown drives for the Rainbow Warriors, providing a compliment to the passing game when the offense has looked cleanest. Sims finally breaking out in a big way on Saturday would be a shot in the arm to Hawai’i’s hopes at starting the road slate with a victory. 

WR Nick Cenacle 

With the second-most receptions on the team through two games, junior wide receiver Nick Cenacle is trying to step into a bigger role for the offense as another reliable target for Schager next to sophomore star Pofele Ashlock. After seeing just three targets in Week 0 against Delaware State, the 6-foot-2 Cenacle got seven passes his way and caught five of them against UCLA. 

As other teams continue to key in on Ashlock, who is another of the eight players returning to Texas to play for the first time since suiting up for Hawai’i, Cenacle should continue getting more targets and opportunities to try and free up more space for UH’s offense. 

Will he be able to solidify his spot as a dependable inside slot receiver? It will be important for another wide out to get open and perform against the Bearkats, who picked off Rice twice in Week 1’s 34-14 win. Look for Cenacle to take some attention off Ashlock and show off the physical tools at his disposal. 

DB Caleb “C-Bo” Brown 

Perhaps Hawai’i’s most underrated defender through two games, Caleb Brown – or “C-Bo” as the team calls him – just produces while on the field for the Rainbow Warriors. The cornerback leads UH with four passes broken up while being targeted 10 times, good for second-most among all Hawai’i defenders. 

The quality coverage has been a blessing for Hawai’i as Virdel Edwards II remains out with an injury. Brown earned the starting role across from senior Cam Stone after a strong training camp and has been just as strong in the games, allowing only three receptions in the 10 times he has been targeted. 

Against a Bearkat offense that has enjoyed success with the deep ball and passing game so far this season, it is crucial that Brown continues to play at his top level along with the rest of the Hawai’i defense.

S Peter Manuma 

One of the captains of the defense, Manuma has had good moments with some ugly mistakes this season for Hawai’i. The junior safety is tied for the team lead with 12 total tackles, leading UH with eight takedowns against UCLA in Week 1, but struggled a bit in coverage as he was beaten for a 39-yard touchdown and allowed three receptions against the Bruins. 

One of the most talented players on defense, Hawai’i needs Manuma to be a tone-setter and leader by finishing tackles and being an elite last line of defense. Sam Houston has enjoyed 60-plus yard completions in both games this season and will surely be looking for more explosives this weekend. 

Manuma and the Rainbow Warriors should also benefit from the return of starting safety Meki Pei, who missed UH’s first two games while recovering from an injury, though it is not known how large of a role Pei will see in his first game action back. For Hawai’i to go on the road and take care of business, Manuma and the rest of the defense will need to continue to take care of business against a Sam Houston State team that has shown signs of fireworks this year.