Timmy Chang Stresses Execution in All Three Phases Ahead of Utah State Matchup

Following a productive bye week, University of Hawai‘i head football coach Timmy Chang spoke with local media about his team’s mindset heading into their Mountain West matchup against Utah State. With the second half of the season underway, Chang emphasized balance — restoring health, refining execution, and rekindling the spark that defines Hawai‘i football.

Recharging and Refocusing

The bye week offered a valuable pause for the Rainbow Warriors, who used the break to rest, reset, and study the game from a fresh perspective. Chang described it as a chance to get better “spiritually, mentally, and physically,” noting that the team spent time watching football at all levels to evaluate what winning programs do consistently well.

“We don’t have that much time together — whether it’s a player’s first or fourth year here,” Chang reflected. “So every moment counts. The bye week reminded us of that. It gave us time to reflect on where we are and what it’s going to take to get where we want to be.”

Respect for a Proven Program

As the Warriors prepare to host Utah State, Chang was quick to praise the Aggies and their new head coach, Bronco Mendenhall, for their disciplined, well-coached style. Hawai‘i suffered a 55–10 defeat in Logan last season — a loss Chang hasn’t forgotten.

“Bronco’s one of the best coaches in the country,” Chang said. “They’re always ready to go, and they put a really good beating on us last year. For us, it’s about understanding what they want to do in all three phases and executing clean football.”

The emphasis on discipline has been a recurring theme for Hawai‘i this season. Coming off a strong performance at Air Force where the Warriors were penalized just four times, Chang believes cleaner execution will be key to keeping pace with Utah State’s high-powered offense.

“If we can continue to limit mistakes and keep improving, we’ll give ourselves a real chance to play good football,” he said.

Healthier ‘Bows Return

The Warriors enter the weekend healthier than they’ve been in weeks. Defensive lineman De’Jon Benton is expected to return, along with wide receiver Nick Cenacle, whose experience and playmaking ability immediately elevate the passing game.

“Nick brings a lot of experience, a lot of catches, a lot of yards,” Chang said. “When he’s performing at a high level and the others are too, we’ve got a really strong receiving corp.”

Chang also credited the team’s depth, highlighting younger players who stepped up in Cenacle’s absence and gained valuable in-game experience.

Lessons from Last Year

Utah State has been a tough opponent for Hawai‘i in recent years, holding the upper hand in the series for more than a decade. But Chang believes this week’s home game is an opportunity to prove how far his team has come.

“They’ve done a great job since joining the Mountain West,” Chang noted. “Even though they didn’t have a great year last season, they spoiled our postseason hopes. We’ve got to be at our best to beat a team like that.”

Last year’s loss, marked by five turnovers, remains a teaching point for the current squad. “We can’t turn the ball over, and we can’t beat ourselves with penalties,” Chang said. “This time, it’s about playing our best football now.”

Protecting Home Turf

With just three home games left this season, Chang’s message to fans is clear — show up, get loud, and make Ching Field a true home-field advantage.

“We love playing at home,” he said. “Our guys feed off that energy. To have everybody here, packed stands, all that noise — it means a lot to our players.”

Chang also acknowledged the significance of defending Hawai‘i’s turf one final time against a familiar conference rival before Utah State departs the Mountain West. “They’re a conference opponent, and for us to reach our goals, we’ve got to play our best football against teams like this.”

Focused on Execution

As the Rainbow Warriors enter the back half of their schedule, Chang’s focus remains grounded in the fundamentals — playing disciplined, complete football in all three phases. He expects a fast-paced game, possibly a shootout, but says it ultimately comes down to execution.

“We like where our defense is at,” Chang said. “If we play sound defense against a really good offense, that helps us. On offense, it’s about protecting up front, running the ball well, and executing the passing game. We just need to execute in all three phases and get this thing going.”

For Chang, this matchup represents more than a test against a talented opponent — it’s a chance to measure progress, prove resilience, and continue building the foundation of a program on the rise.