Hawai‘i Football Looks to Get Back on Track Against New Mexico State

Hawai‘i returns home Saturday looking for its first win of the season as the Rainbow Warriors host New Mexico State at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.

After opening the year with losses to Stanford and UNLV, the focus for Hawai‘i is straightforward: clean up the mistakes, protect the quarterback and find some consistency offensively.

Head coach Timmy Chang said following Tuesday’s practice that quarterback Micah Alejado was given a rest day but is expected to be ready to go Saturday. Backup Bjorn Jurgensen took the majority of the reps in his place.

Hawai’i QB Micah Alejado huddles with the offense in their game against Stanford on August 29, 2026 | Brian Bautista, Special to HSRN

Chang said the biggest emphasis this week is execution across all three phases, with Hawai‘i especially needing to get going faster and more consistently on offense. Against UNLV, the Rainbow Warriors moved the ball at times but managed just six points and failed to capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities.

For Hawai‘i, that starts up front.

Alejado spent much of last week under pressure, and the offensive line struggled to consistently give him enough time to work through his reads. Whether it is Alejado or Jurgensen behind center, improved pass protection will be one of the biggest keys against the Aggies.

The receiving corps will also need to help. Hawai‘i left several potential big plays on the field against UNLV, and the offense has yet to consistently generate the explosive downfield plays it hoped to feature this season.

New Mexico State presents its own set of challenges.

The Aggies enter at 1-1 after opening with a loss at Florida State before responding with a 51-point performance against Mercyhurst. In that win, New Mexico State totaled 553 yards of offense, including 236 on the ground.

Defensively, the Aggies have developed a knack for creating takeaways. New Mexico State has forced at least one turnover in 18 consecutive games and has recorded an interception in 14 of those contests. Safety Nick Session already has two interceptions this season, including a pick-six against Mercyhurst.

That makes ball security another major point of emphasis for Hawai‘i.

Hawaii K Matthew Shipley prepares to take a 24 yard field goal in the Rainbow Warriors’ last meeting with New Mexico State on September 23, 2023. The field goal was good and UH secured a 20-17 comeback win. | Photo Credit: Paul Brecht | HSRN

The Rainbow Warriors have historically controlled the series, holding an 11-1 advantage over New Mexico State and a 7-0 record against the Aggies in Honolulu. But the last meeting in Hawai‘i was far from comfortable. In 2023, UH erased a 14-point second-half deficit and won 20-17 on a Matthew Shipley field goal as time expired.

Saturday may also carry a little more weight than a typical non-conference game.

With a bye week coming next, a win would give Hawai‘i a chance to reset with some positive momentum before returning to Mountain West play. Another loss would leave the Rainbow Warriors at 0-3 and potentially still searching for answers offensively.

For UH, the path is not overly complicated: protect the quarterback, finish drives, take care of the football and create a few explosive plays.

The opportunity is there. Now Hawai‘i has to take advantage of it.

Hawai‘i vs. New Mexico State
Saturday, Sept 12, 6:00 p.m. HST
Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex
TV: K5 / Mountain West+

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