Alejado, Harris & defense keep Rainbow Warriors rolling in win over Rams

Alejado, Harris & defense keep Rainbow Warriors rolling in win over Rams

Oct 18, 2025

WR Jackson Harris runs towards the end zone on one of his two TD catches. The sophomore led the Rainbow Warriors with 109 yards & 2 TDs on five catches on Saturday. | Photo Credit: Brian Bautista

Alejado, Harris & defense keep Rainbow Warriors rolling in win over Rams

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 18, 2025

Mark it down as the most memorable moment of the Timmy Chang era yet.

The culmination of four years of building the foundation of the Braddahhood.

Four years of lessons, growing pains and executing a vision to pull a program from college football purgatory to planning to go bowling over the holidays.

The University of Hawai’i football team punched its ticket to postseason play on Saturday, clinching bowl eligibility for the first time in Chang’s tenure with a 31-19 victory over Colorado State (2-5, 1-2 Mountain West) in a historic day in Fort Collins.

Redshirt freshman QB Micah Alejado threw for 301 yards, three touchdowns and one interception while completing 26-of-38 pass attempts as he became the first FBS quarterback to throw for 300+ yards and 3+ touchdowns in three consecutive games this season.

Sophomore WR Jackson Harris continued his breakout with the Rainbow Warriors, going over the century mark for the third straight contest as he led Hawai’i with 109 yards and two touchdowns sprinkled across five receptions. Harris became the first UH pass catcher to eclipse 100 yards in three straight games since John Ursua accomplished the feat in the first four outings of the 2018 campaign.

Senior WR Nick Cenacle started the scoring in the first quarter, taking a 17-yard pass into the end zone for his first TD of the year as he racked up seven catches for 70 yards in just his fourth game this season. Harris put the Rainbow Warriors back in front for good with his first touchdown of the day, taking an impressive one-handed catch 75 yards to the house to help Hawai’i go into halftime leading 14-7.

Harris hauled in his second score of the contest on the other side of the break, securing a nine-yard TD pass from Alejado on the opening drive of the third quarter to extend the UH advantage to two possessions, 21-7.

Senior K Kansei Matsuzawa etched his name in Hawai’i history before the third frame closed, connecting on a 26-yard kick to break Jason Elam’s program record for consecutive made field goals with his 21st straight make. Elam, who is in the UH Circle of Honor (Class of 2002) and the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame (Class of 2016), was on hand in Fort Collins to watch as Matsuzawa broke his two-plus decade old record.

Junior RB Cam Barfield put the finishing touches on Hawai’i’s bowl-clinching effort with a career-long 35-yard scoring scamper on 4th-and-1, quieting a late Colorado State comeback effort by extending the Rainbow Warrior lead back to double figures, 31-19. Barfield put up 56 yards on five carries and added a 21-yard catch as he continued to platoon with senior RB Landon Sims.

Sims added 68 yards of total offense (59 rush, 9 receiving) in the win for the Rainbow Warriors, playing in front of his father, Travis Sims, a former Rainbow Warrior standout running back.

The UH defense also posted a season-best six sacks, led by a career-high 2.0 sacks from senior defensive end Tariq Jones. Jackie Johnson III and Luther McCoy each chipped in 1.5 sacks for the Rainbow Warriors, including Johnson’s game-ending takedown of Colorado State QB Jackson Brousseau with 1:17 to play.

Junior LB Jamih Otis, who was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week after forcing a pair of turnovers against Utah State last weekend, matched a career best with 11 tackles on Saturday to pace the Hawai’i defense.

Brousseau ended the day completing 15-of-29 passes for 176 yards and one touchdown for Colorado State, consistently needing to run from the disruptive efforts of the UH defensive line. Sophomore RB Llyod Avant added eight carries for 50 yards in the loss by the Rams.

After becoming the quickest UH team since the 2007 group to become bowl-eligible, Hawai’i returns home and hits another much-needed bye week. WR Brandon White missed the trip to Colorado State as he remained in concussion protocol and QB Micah Alejado came up limping late after stepping awkwardly while being tackled near the sideline, though he did not ultimately miss any snaps against the Rams.

The Rainbow Warriors return to the road in two weeks, looking for the program’s first four-game win streak since the 2019 season as they take on San Jose State to open November. Hawai’i (6-2, 3-1) sits just behind conference unbeatens Boise State (5-2, 3-0) and San Diego State (5-1, 2-0) while hanging a half-game above UNLV (6-1, 2-1), Fresno State (5-2, 2-1) and Utah State (4-3, 2-1) as the Mountain West remains clogged at the top entering the stretch run.

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Hawai’i returns to altitude with new heights on horizon for Chang era

Hawai’i returns to altitude with new heights on horizon for Chang era

Oct 17, 2025

Hawai’i head coach Timmy Chang looks on during a home game. The fourth-year head coach has the Rainbow Warriors one game away from a postseason return. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Hawai’i returns to altitude with new heights on horizon for Chang era

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 17, 2025

HONOLULU – Coaching trees are funny.

They have multiple branches, and sometimes, have multiple trunks.

Hawai’i head coach Timmy Chang is an example of this: with Run-N-Shoot roots, Chang is associated with his former head coach in June Jones, who gave the former UH star his start in the coaching ranks as an offensive graduate assistant at SMU.

But Chang also credits another coach in his development as an HC: Jay Norvell.

“[He] is one of the best coaches I’ve been around,” Chang said of the Colorado State head man. “We’re going to have a big hug [before the game] and we’re going to go to battle … I know he’s going to get that team ready to go and we’ll have our team ready to go.”

Norvell took Chang’s post-playing career to another level when he offered him a job with Nevada as a position coach. After working together with the Wolfpack for nearly half a decade, Norvell accepted a job with CSU and planned to take Chang with him to Fort Collins.

That was, until the Hawai’i head coaching job opened up and Norvell made it clear that the Rainbow Warriors needed to hire Chang.

“As soon as I heard that job was open, I called that AD and told him there’s only one guy you need to hire and that’s Timmy Chang,”  Norvell recalled while speaking to media earlier in the week.

The rest is history.

Chang took over a UH program in the depths of college football hell, jumping from position coach to overseeing an entire staff at his alma mater freshly after turning 40 years old. In three years and some change since, the former record-setting college signal caller has helped return the program from those pits of irrelevance to the cusp of postseason eligibility.

“The biggest transformation you can see in their football team is their mental toughness down the stretch,” Norvell said of the 2025 Rainbow Warriors. “They’re winning games in the fourth quarter.”

Less than a month after going into elevation and displaying that mental toughness in a high-flying win over Air Force, Hawai’i (5-2, 2-1 Mountain West) returns to higher altitude this weekend with eyes on an encore performance against Norvell and Colorado State. A victory for the Rainbow Warriors would mark the quickest that UH has gotten to six wins since the 2018 season, clinch eligibility for a bowl game and guarantee a .500 or better record for the first time in Chang’s tenure.

It’s also the last chance to play against Colorado State as a conference rival.

The Rams, along with Utah State, Boise State, San Diego State and Fresno State, will all depart from the Mountain West for the Pac-12 following the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year.

The first half of the Colorado State schedule presented plenty of challenges for Norvell’s group, getting off to a 1-4 start with a nail-biting victory over FCS program Northern Colorado keeping the Rams from being winless through five weeks.

Vibes shifted around in Fort Collins last weekend when redshirt sophomore QB Jackson Brousseau and the Rams defense balled out against Fresno State. Brousseau, who was making his third straight start for Colorado State after Norvell benched third-year starter Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, had an efficient 144 passing yards and three touchdowns while completing 12-of-18 passes.

The CSU defense forced four turnovers (3 INT, 1 FR) and sacked EJ Warner five times on the way to a 49-21 beatdown of the Bulldogs, showing signs of life for the Rams as the Rainbow Warriors come to town.

Despite the lackluster record for Colorado State, Hawai’i has stayed consistent on preparation and the mentality entering the weekend.

“In the Mountain West, the parity and the closeness in these games, you really got to be in the moment,” Chang said on Tuesday. “You got to have the guys ready to go each and every day, go win today.”

Practices once again simulated the extra fatigue that the Rainbow Warriors can expect to face from playing 5,003 feet above sea level on Saturday. Leaning on similar preparation as the Air Force game, Chang hopes to have UH ready for the multitude of looks and different situations that the weekend will bring.

A victory for the Rainbow Warriors blooms the program into a new height of bowl eligibility. In a way, it’s only right that the first chance Chang gets to clinch a postseason spot with his program comes against his coaching mentor.

Make no mistake though – Norvell would be more than happy to delay UH’s celebration and return from national obscurity for another couple weeks.

In the third and final matchup as conference rivals between the two friends, the last question left before the weekend is super simple.

Does the branch or the trunk take the head-to-head tie breaker?

Coaching Ties Run Deep as Timmy Chang Meets Jay Norvell in Conference Showdown

Coaching Ties Run Deep as Timmy Chang Meets Jay Norvell in Conference Showdown

Oct 17, 2025

Coaching Ties Run Deep as Timmy Chang Meets Jay Norvell in Conference Showdown

BY HSRN STAFF
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 17, 2025

Two coaches, one bond. As Hawai‘i heads to Colorado State for Homecoming week in Fort Collins, head coaches Timmy Chang and Jay Norvell spoke glowingly about each other while zeroing in on the tactical chess match ahead — a reunion layered with respect, loyalty, and shared history that stretches back to their Nevada Wolfpack days.

“Brother” Energy, Business Focus

Chang described Norvell as “a mentor” and “a brother,” adding that the two have stayed in touch regularly and exchanged messages in the days leading up to the matchup.

“We’ll hug it out before kickoff,” Chang said with a grin. “But then it’s all business.”

Their connection began when Norvell arrived at Nevada ahead of the 2017 season and was assembling his first coaching staff. At the time, Chang had already been shaping his coaching path.

At the recommendation of Hal Mumme, Matt Mumme and June Jones, Norvell brought Chang aboard to coach Nevada’s inside receivers, a move that would spark a strong professional and personal bond. Chang later transitioned to coaching tight ends as Norvell’s staff built a versatile offense that blended spread concepts with multiple-tight-end looks.

“I knew receiver play from my run-and-shoot background,” Chang reflected. “But that time with Coach Norvell taught me a lot about leadership and how to build a team culture.”

Norvell, now leading the Rams, returned the praise during his media availability.

“Timmy’s real, he’s unselfish, and his players believe in him,” Norvell said. “When the Hawai‘i job opened, I told them — there’s only one guy you need to hire.”

Though he’d prefer not to face him on the opposing sideline, Norvell said he’s proud to watch his former assistant leading his own program with confidence and heart.

What This Matchup Means

Norvell framed Colorado State’s recent success around complementary football and takeaways, pointing to the game-changing plays his team has created in recent weeks — from strip drills turning into touchdowns to interceptions that swung momentum.

“We’re starting to play for each other,” Norvell said. “It’s not about stats or credit; it’s about making the next guy better.”

He also credited his group’s toughness, highlighting players who’ve battled through injuries while keeping the team-first mentality intact. That collective mindset has given CSU new energy heading into its Homecoming showcase.

Chang, meanwhile, said the focus for Hawai‘i is all about the process — staying grounded and preparing for altitude and tempo.

“We tell our guys, go win today,” he said. “Everything is about stacking good days and being ready when it’s time to compete.”

Having recently played at Air Force, the Rainbow Warriors plan to draw from that experience in managing travel, hydration, and recovery at elevation.

Scheme Notes: Pressure vs. Precision

Both coaches emphasized discipline and preparation over scheme. Norvell called this week’s matchup “the opposite of Air Force” — shifting from defending the run to bracing for Hawai‘i’s pass-heavy system.

“They can spread you out and attack space,” he said. “You’ve got to communicate and stay patient.”

Chang noted the Rams’ aggressive pressure packages, with defensive backs leading the team in sacks.

“They bring it from everywhere,” Chang said. “We’ve got to be sharp in protection and trust our eyes.”

He added that the week’s practice has been about answers — recognizing pressure looks, adjusting routes, and ensuring the offense executes without hesitation.

“The answers to the test have to show up on Saturday,” Chang said, echoing the mantra both coaches once shared together in Reno.

 

Culture Check: Why This One Feels Personal

For both men, Saturday’s matchup is about more than football. It’s about shared values — loyalty, authenticity, and selflessness. Chang often credits his mentors for shaping his leadership style, while Norvell continues to build his program on the belief that “selfishness is the enemy of team success.”

That shared foundation is why this reunion resonates beyond the scoreboard. What began as a professional opportunity has evolved into mutual admiration — two coaches who’ve helped shape each other’s paths, now facing off as equals on opposite sidelines.

Betting Odds (via BetMGM)

  • Spread: Colorado State -2.5

  • Total (Over/Under): 54.5 points

  • Moneyline: Hawaii +110 | CSU -135

 

Betting Insight

  • The spread favors Colorado State, largely due to the Rams’ recent momentum and the challenges of playing at altitude in Fort Collins. CSU’s defense has forced key takeaways in back-to-back games, while its balanced offense has started to find rhythm behind improved quarterback play.

  • The over/under projects a moderately high-scoring matchup, factoring in Hawai‘i’s uptempo, pass-heavy system and Colorado State’s ability to generate explosive plays off play-action.

  • The moneyline reflects Hawai‘i as an underdog, but the Rainbow Warriors’ growing efficiency under quarterback Micah Alejado and familiarity with altitude trips could make this a tighter contest than the odds suggest.

 

Game Info

  • Matchup: Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors (5-2, 2-1 MW) at Colorado State Rams (2-4, 1-1 MW)
  • Time: 5 p.m. MT / 1 p.m. HT
  • Television: Spectrum Sports & Spectrum SportsNet | Streaming: Mountain West App (outside HI only)
  • Location: Canvas Stadium (41,000), Fort Collins, CO
  • All-time Record: CSU leads 16-12
  • Last Meeting: UH, 27-24, Nov. 25, 2023

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“Control What I Can Control”: UH Kicker Kansei Matsuzawa on Focus, Team Bond, and Representing Hawai‘i and Japan

“Control What I Can Control”: UH Kicker Kansei Matsuzawa on Focus, Team Bond, and Representing Hawai‘i and Japan

Oct 15, 2025

“Control What I Can Control”: UH Kicker Kansei Matsuzawa on Focus, Team Bond, and Representing Hawai‘i and Japan

BY HSRN STAFF
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 15, 2025

University of Hawai‘i placekicker Kansei Matsuzawa has become one of the breakout stories of the season — not only for his accuracy, but for his perspective. Amid national attention, media requests, and record-breaking potential, the senior from Japan remains grounded in what’s always guided him: simplicity, focus, and gratitude.

Staying Centered Amid the Spotlight

When asked how he balances the growing attention surrounding his success, Matsuzawa’s answer reflects a calm maturity beyond the stat sheet.

“I’m enjoying it — that’s the most important thing,” he said. “Coach Sheff told me this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, so I’m just enjoying it. But on the field and off the field, it’s different. I know my job — making field goals. That’s my priority in life. To do that, I just control what I can control.”

Kicking, Coverage, and Team Chemistry

This season, Matsuzawa has also taken on kickoff duties, an experience he says has deepened his connection with teammates.

“Kickoff is fun — it makes me feel like a football player,” he said with a smile. “Our kickoff team is doing an amazing job. They cover my kicks, and I really appreciate them. It’s such a beautiful time to play.”

That sense of togetherness extends to special teams partners Jack Mowrey (long snapper) and Caleb Freeman (holder), with whom Matsuzawa shares a signature celebration after every made field goal.

“We celebrate every single one,” he said. “People underestimate how difficult it is to make a field goal, so we treat each one as separate — one at a time. My success is everyone’s success.”

From Japan to Hawai‘i — A Journey of Gratitude

When it comes to family, Matsuzawa’s voice softens. He credits their support as the foundation of everything he’s achieved since moving from Japan to the United States.

“It wasn’t easy to transform from Japan to the U.S.,” he reflected. “My family sacrificed a lot for me, and I really appreciate them. They watch every game on TV, and they’ll be here for senior night. That means everything.”

Though American football isn’t a major sport in Japan, Matsuzawa’s success may be resonating back home. Still, he’s just as proud to represent Hawai‘i.

“It’s so nice to represent Japan and the state of Hawai‘i as a Rainbow Warrior,” he said. “There are a lot of Japanese and Japanese Americans here, and I want everyone to come support us. We only have two home games left — I want to see everyone at the stadium.”

Mentorship and Mindset

Matsuzawa also credited former teammate Lucas Burrow, his previous holder, for helping him through tough moments.

“Lucas is the best player I’ve ever played with,” Matsuzawa said. “Last year I was struggling with my mindset, and he was the only one who helped me through it. Because of him, I’m here right now — more confident and comfortable.”

That mental focus has been crucial as Matsuzawa nears a school record for consecutive field goals made, though he insists he’s not focused on numbers.

“I never think about the record,” he said. “I just enjoy every moment. Every kick is important because it helps us win. I just want to win, go to a bowl game, and compete for a Mountain West Championship.”

Focused on the Next Mission

For Matsuzawa, each week is another opportunity to execute and improve — and another step toward the Rainbow Warriors’ larger goals.

“Winning on the road is never easy,” he said. “But we enjoy it, and then on Monday, it’s on to the next mission to complete.”

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Hawaii makes statement in final Mountain West meeting with Utah State

Hawaii makes statement in final Mountain West meeting with Utah State

Oct 11, 2025

Hawai’i WR Pofele Ashlock celebrates on the sideline after another score. The junior snagged a career-high three TDs in UH’s first win over Utah State since 2010. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Hawai’i makes statement in final Mountain West meeting with Utah State

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 11, 2025

HONOLULU – Give them a Pac-12 parting gift.

The University of Hawai’i football team announced intentions to compete among the Mountain West’s best on Saturday night, using Pofele Ashlock’s trio of touchdown catches, another Kansei Matsuzawa field goal hat trick and Micah Alejado’s second straight masterpiece to take down Utah State (3-3, 1-1 Mountain West) in the islands, 44-26.

Alejado diced up a Bronco Mendenhall-coached team for the second time in his young college career, completing 34-of-54 passes for 413 yards and four total touchdowns (3 pass, 1 rush) as the UH offense went over 500 yards for the second straight game. Just the second FBS quarterback to throw for 400+ yards in back-to-back starts this season, the redshirt freshman became the first UH player to accomplish the feat since Cole McDonald ripped off a pair of 400-yard games to begin the 2018 campaign.

Unlocked by the return of Nick Cenacle, who missed the previous four games with a knee injury, Ashlock set a new career high with three TD receptions as he hauled in a game-best eight catches for 113 yards, going over the century mark in a game for the first time this year and fifth time in his career.

“When Pofele is healthy, he shows what he can do,” Alejado said of his favorite target, who became the first player since JoJo Ward to have three touchdown catches in a single half for UH. “I think he’s probably the best receiver in the country, not just the G5. I think he can do a lot of great things when he’s given the chance.”

Cenacle turned in a respectable line with six catches for 57 yards in his return, including a 26-yard snag on the first play from scrimmage. Jackson Harris popped off for his second straight 100-yard game, racking up a game-best 117 yards across seven receptions.

“Getting Nick back is huge for us,” head coach Timmy Chang said of getting the preseason All-Mountain West selection back on the field. “When you see him out there with Pofele, with Jackson, with Brandon White … it’s a really good receiving corps and we’re proud of it.”

Hawai’i receivers Pofele Ashlock and Nick Cenacle celebrate together during the Rainbow Warriors’ 44-26 win over Utah State. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

The defense turned in one of the most impressive performances of the year for UH, holding a potent Utah State offense (36.4 ppg entering Week 7) to its second-lowest scoring output of the season. Jamih Otis forced a pair of turnovers, punching out a fumble that fellow Lion’s Den member Jalen Smith recovered before sealing the game with his first career interception.

The Rainbow Warriors also held USU to a paltry 2-of-12 on third downs while racking up three sacks as Carson Stocklinski and Aiden McComber each recorded their first QB takedowns with UH and De’Jon Benton returned from a one-game absence with an immediate impact in the pass rush.

Utah State capitalized on a few first half errors from Hawai’i, snatching a 17-10 lead midway through the second quarter after punter Billy Gowers came up short on a fake punt inside UH’s own territory.

When they could have crumbled, Hawai’i clawed right back.

Alejado and company needed just six plays to respond, tying the game at 17 with less than six minutes left in the first half as Ashlock caught his second score of the night on a rocket from the redshirt freshman.

The defense held strong despite a late drive from the Aggies to close out the second quarter, limiting USU to a 40-yard field goal while getting the ball back to the offense with more than a minute to work with and two timeouts.

Again, Alejado uncorked late-clock wizardry to help march the Rainbow Warriors downfield for the go-ahead score. The southpaw found Harris twice for big gains before delivering his third and final touchdown pass of the night to Ashlock with 24 seconds left in the first half, pushing the hosts in front at the break, 24-20.

“The thing I love most that you’re seeing this season is the resilience of the guys,“ Chang said of his team’s ability to wiggle out of precarious situations throughout the night. “We come back [after a bad moment] and then it’s just business as usual.”

Hawai’i took a chance on the second half opening kickoff, trying to catch USU off-guard with an onside kick attempt but instead setting up the Aggies with fantastic field position inside Rainbow Warrior territory. Utah State found paydirt three plays later as graduate QB Bryson Barnes hit Broc Lane for a 32-yard touchdown to vault the visitors back in front less than a minute into the third quarter.

Lester Lagafuaina blocked the ensuing PAT, giving UH the chance to take the lead with a field goal instead of a touchdown in a game that had traded haymakers for the previous 20 minutes.

Matsuzawa put Hawai’i ahead for good with 3:20 left in the third frame, connecting on a 46-yard field goal to make it 27-26 in favor of the hosts.

Alejado added his first career rushing touchdown with 12:01 left to play, using a 15-yard scoring scamper to give Hawai’i a double-digit advantage for the first time all night.

The magical year for the Tokyo Toe continued with 7:47 left in regulation as Matsuzawa drilled a 36-yard field goal to improve to 19-for-19 on the year while matching Jason Elam’s program record of 20 consecutive makes when including the close to the senior’s 2024 season.

Landon Sims provided the knockout blow after Otis and Smith combined to force a turnover, powering through defenders for a 4-yard score to put the cherry on top of a 44-26 statement over Utah State. Sims finished the night with 82 yards on 10 carries and added a reception for nine yards to help Hawai’i to victory.

Bryson Barnes finished the night 14-of-26 passing for 175 yards, one touchdown and one interception while missing time due to an apparent injury. Senior backup QB Jacob Conover went 4-of-10 passing for 64 yards in limited action as the Aggies fell to the Rainbow Warriors for the first time ever in eight meetings as Mountain West rivals.

Hawai’i (5-2, 2-1 Mountain West) hits the road next week to face Colorado State (2-4, 1-1 Mountain West), who pounded Fresno State on Friday with a 49-21 shellacking in Fort Collins. With a wide-open conference looking for teams to stake claim to the top, Chang’s Warriors remain aligned.

“I think the only way we’re going to reach our goals is if we stay in the moment and take it one day at a time,” Chang said when asked about the chance to establish the program as a power with a changing conference makeup. “I tell the guys, don’t fall for it … When things are good, they’re good. When things are bad, they’re bad. We just have got to stay steady in our work and how we do everything.”

Faith, Fundamentals, and Firepower: Hawai‘i Football Stays Hot After Utah State Win

Faith, Fundamentals, and Firepower: Hawai‘i Football Stays Hot After Utah State Win

Oct 11, 2025

Faith, Fundamentals, and Firepower: Hawai‘i Football Stays Hot After Utah State Win

BY HSRN STAFF
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 11, 2025

Hawai‘i Football’s postgame press conference on Saturday night reflected exactly what was seen on the field — balance, belief, and breakthrough. Following a 44–26 victory over Utah State that snapped an eight-game skid against the Aggies, head coach Timmy Chang, quarterback Micah Alejado, and wide receiver Pofele Ashlock spoke about the mindset fueling the Rainbow Warriors’ best start since 2018.

Building on the Basics

For Chang, the win was about more than points or passing yards — it was about progress. Hawai‘i’s second straight 44-point performance was a product of the simple things: discipline, resilience, and detail.

“We really focus in on the base fundamentals,” Chang said. “When opportunities present themselves, we make the most of it. But what you’re seeing is the resilience of the guys — when something doesn’t go right, they reset. It’s business as usual.”

He credited the team’s growing depth — forged through early-season injuries — as a key reason for UH’s balance across all three phases. Players have learned to step up rather than step back, and that “next-man-up” mentality has become the heartbeat of this year’s roster.

Alejado’s Poise on His Birthday

Quarterback Micah Alejado once again showed why Hawai‘i’s offense is among the Mountain West’s most dangerous. On his 21st birthday, the freshman delivered another electric performance — 413 yards, three touchdowns, and his first career rushing score — guiding the ‘Bows to 546 total yards of offense.

“We started off a little slow, but once we figured out their tendencies, everything started clicking,” Alejado said. “Coach Chang and Coach Arceneaux called a great game, and the O-line gave me time to make plays.”

When asked about his leadership on a night that also marked his milestone birthday, Alejado smiled. “It didn’t really feel like my birthday until after we won,” he said. “Now it does.”

Ashlock’s Historic Night

Receiver Pofele Ashlock stole the first-half spotlight with three touchdown catches, all before halftime — becoming the first Rainbow Warrior to accomplish that feat since 2019. His eight receptions for 113 yards pushed him into the program’s top 10 for career touchdown receptions (21) while continuing his streak of catching a pass in every collegiate game he’s played.

Chang praised Ashlock’s consistency, calling him “one of the best in the country when healthy.” Alejado echoed the sentiment, saying,

“He’s probably the best receiver in the country — not just in the Group of Five. The chemistry we have comes from the work we put in every day after practice. You can see that connection on the field.”

Faith and the Foundation of the Program

When asked about the team’s identity, Chang pointed to faith as a defining factor. The Rainbow Warriors, he said, were built through belief — not just in football, but in something bigger.

“This team was built off faith,” Chang shared. “In the hard times, we had to lean into that. Leaders like Pastor Norman have been there for us every week. It’s about holding ourselves to a standard — when I do that, the guys follow.”

That spiritual foundation has blended seamlessly with on-field growth, helping transform a once-rebuilding program into a confident, connected group focused on unity and purpose.

Staying Grounded and Growing Forward

Despite the impressive numbers and emotional win, Chang was quick to refocus his team on what’s next — a tough road test against Colorado State and head coach Jay Norvell, one of his longtime mentors.

“Don’t fall for it,” Chang said with a grin. “We’ve got to stay steady in our work and take it one day at a time. If we do that, we’ll get where we want to go.”

The message was clear: faith, fundamentals, and firepower are now working in harmony — and Hawai‘i is starting to believe in something special.

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