Postgame Notes & Quotes: Self-Inflicted Mistakes Cost Hawai‘i Against San José State
Hawai‘i had the yardage, had opportunities, and got another strong performance from its defense. But penalties, turnovers and an inability to finish drives proved costly in a 20-16 loss to San José State Saturday night at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.
The Rainbow Warriors fell to 1-4 overall and 0-3 in Mountain West play, while San José State retained the Dick Tomey Legacy Trophy with its sixth straight win in the series.
The numbers: Hawai‘i finished with a season-high 438 yards of offense, outgaining San José State by 114 yards. UH threw for 341 yards and averaged 7.0 yards per play, compared with 5.2 for the Spartans. But the Warriors committed 12 penalties for 85 yards, turned the ball over twice and scored on just one of two red-zone trips.
Penalties continue to hurt: The 12 penalties were a season high, with all but one committed by the offense. Head coach Timmy Chang took responsibility afterward.
“It does come down to discipline. And discipline is my department.”
Chang added that those mistakes become magnified in close games: “In these one-possession games… they come back to haunt you.”
Alejado takes responsibility: Micah Alejado completed 23-of-35 passes for 341 yards and a touchdown, but his two interceptions led to 10 San José State points. The first ended a streak of 97 consecutive attempts without an interception.
Alejado called the mistakes “self-inflicted wounds” and was especially critical of the offense’s inability to capitalize after moving the football.
“As soon as we got to the fringe in the red zone, we kind of just hit a wall.”
On the red-zone problems, Alejado said many of the issues are mental and added that five games into the season, “it’s unacceptable.”
Big plays were there: UH produced a season-high seven explosive pass plays, highlighted by Devin Alves’ breakout performance. Alves caught three passes for a career-high 121 yards, including a 49-yard reception and a 58-yard touchdown that pulled Hawai‘i within 14-13 in the third quarter.
Alejado also surpassed 5,000 career passing yards, becoming the 11th Rainbow Warrior to reach the milestone and moving into UH’s career top 10 in passing yards.
Defense keeps UH in it: After allowing two touchdowns in the second quarter, Hawai‘i’s defense held San José State to just six points after halftime. The Spartans finished with only 324 total yards and were held to 78 rushing yards on 34 attempts. UH also recorded a season-high seven tackles for loss.
That continues a trend at Ching Complex: Hawai‘i has held opponents to 20 points or fewer in seven of its last 12 home games. The problem has been matching that production offensively — UH is now 1-22 under Chang when scoring 20 points or fewer.
Special teams delivers: Sean Olvera-Harle went a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals, connecting from 44, 24 and 44 yards. Both 44-yarders matched a new career long.
Where things stand: Hawai‘i has now lost the turnover battle three times this season and is 4-23 under Chang when losing the turnover margin. UH also failed to force a turnover for the fourth time in five games and is 0-6 since the start of last season when it doesn’t create one.
Despite the 0-3 conference start, Chang emphasized the response rather than dwelling on the record.
“It really is one day at a time… How do we get better? How do we stop the things that hurt us?”
HAWAI’I FOOTBALL COVERAGE ON HSRN IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Hawai’i accelerates to national title over UC Irvine, completes climb to coronation
The journey connects back to July 2022. The University of Hawai’i just wrapped up back-to-back national championship victories behind all-time program great Jakob Thelle, and head coach Charlie Wade had secured the heir to the star setter’s throne...
Beach Closed: ‘Bows bounce Long Beach State to advance to national championship
Shakas up. Two weeks after falling in the Big West tournament final and watching LBSU freshman star Wojciech Gajek hit the “double shakas down” emote at the Rainbow Warrior fans in attendance, the University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team exacted...
UH Athletics NIL Bill Fails Final Senate Vote
Updated May 13, 2026Just one week after conference committee members described SB 3263 as a “win-win situation” for University of Hawai‘i student-athletes, the measure failed to pass final reading in the Hawai‘i State Senate on Friday in a dramatic reversal that...
Power, persistent bats lead Mililani to third straight HHSAA D1 softball state crown
HONOLULU – The Trojans have morphed Millville into “Title Town” – three times in a row. For the third consecutive year, the Mililani softball team saw themselves standing alone atop the Hawai’i high school softball ranks on as the Trojans...
Gibson Johnson elevated to associate HC role among handful of Hawai’i coaching moves
HONOLULU – Stop the music, the chairs are filled. The University of Hawai’i announced a smattering of men’s basketball coaching moves on Friday, headlined by the elevation of current assistant coach Gibson Johnson to associate head coach. After the...
Irimata’s gem helps Hawai’i hold off UC Santa Barbara in Big West quarterfinal
After waiting a day to get active in the 2026 Big West Softball Championship tournament, the No. 2-seeded University of Hawai’i softball team took care of business on Thursday with a 2-0 victory over No. 3 UC Santa Barbara at Anderson Family Field...
Waiʻanae Stuns Moanalua in Overtime to Capture OIA Division I Flag Football Title
Waiʻanae waited nearly three decades for another football championship. On Wednesday night, the Seariders finally brought one home. Behind a resilient comeback effort and a dominant defensive performance led by Fun Factory VIP of the Game Cadence...
Kalaheo Captures OIA Division II Girls Flag Football Title in Thriller Over Kapolei
In a game that felt fitting for a championship stage, Kalaheo rallied late to defeat previously unbeaten Kapolei, 28-25, to capture the OIA Division II Girls Flag Football championship on Tuesday night. The Mustangs outscored the Hurricanes 13-7 in...
ADVERTISEMENT
