Hawai‘i vs. Air Force Football Preview: Kuter Trophy on the Line

Game Details

• Matchup: Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors (3-2, 0-1 MW) vs. Air Force Falcons (1-2, 0-2 MW)
• Time: 2 p.m. MT / 10 a.m. HT
• Television: FS1
• Location: Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO
• Trophy: Kuter Trophy

Kuter Trophy History

The Kuter Trophy has been awarded annually since 1980 in honor of General Laurence S. Kuter, the first head of the Pacific Air Forces Command. Air Force leads the all-time series 14-8-1, including a 6-2 record in Colorado Springs.

Hawai‘i currently holds the trophy after a 27-13 victory in 2023, its first since 2019. This is the first of four rivalry trophies the Warriors will compete for this season, and the only one they currently own.

Recent Form and Storylines

Hawai‘i (3-2, 0-1 MW)

• Coming off a 23-21 loss to Fresno State, falling just short on a two-point try in the final seconds.
• Head coach Timmy Chang is still searching for consistency on the road (2-16 overall).
• PK Kansei Matsuzawa remains perfect this season (13-for-13 FGs), tying a school record for most consecutive makes to start a season.
• This will be Hawai‘i’s sixth straight game week — the only FBS team to play in each of the first six weeks.

Air Force (1-2, 0-2 MW)

• Dropped its second straight MW game last week, 49-37 to Boise State.
• QB Liam Szarka posted 242 passing yards, 2 TDs, plus 111 rushing yards and another score — showcasing his dual-threat ability.
• The Falcons will lean heavily on their ground game, as they run the ball on over 70% of plays.

Statistical Matchup (via Pro Football Focus)

• Power Rankings: Hawai‘i (112 overall, 59 defense, 127 offense); Air Force (106 overall, 109 offense, 127 defense)
• Strength of Schedule: UH (112) vs. Air Force (75)
• Play Style: Hawai‘i passes on 74.2% of plays; Air Force runs on 71.7%
• Efficiency (EPA): UH (-0.18 run, -0.20 pass) | AFA (+0.17 run, +0.30 pass)

Betting Odds (via BetMGM)

• Spread: Air Force -6.5

• Total (Over/Under): 53.5 points

• Moneyline: Air Force -235 | Hawai‘i +195

Betting Insight

• The spread favors Air Force, largely due to Hawai‘i’s road struggles and Air Force’s historical home advantage in Colorado Springs.

• The over/under suggests a moderately high-scoring matchup, reflecting Air Force’s recent shootout vs. Boise State and Hawai‘i’s pass-heavy offense.

• The moneyline indicates Hawai‘i is viewed as an underdog, but the Warriors’ improved defense (ranked 59th nationally) could make this closer than expected.

Key Matchup to Watch

This game pits Hawai‘i’s pass-heavy offense against an Air Force team that thrives on controlling tempo with the ground game. The Warriors’ defensive ranking gives them a potential edge, but their struggles in road environments — especially in Colorado — loom large.