Helpless Hawai’i offense falters in home opener against UNLV

Helpless Hawai’i offense falters in home opener against UNLV

Sep 5, 2026

Helpless Hawai’i offense falters in home opener against UNLV

HONOLULU – September sadness.

The University of Hawai’i football team saw the good vibes of the offseason slither away on Saturday evening, falling 21-6 to conference rival UNLV (1-1, 1-0 Mountain West) inside Clarence T.C. Ching Complex after a second straight no-show performance from the offense.

Sophomore QB Micah Alejado struggled mightily to find chemistry with his receivers, completing just 17-of-41 passes for 176 yards and an interception. The left-handed signal caller was also sacked five times and faced immense pressure from the Rebels defensive line from the opening snap.

Hawai’i (0-2, 0-1 Mountain West) won the time of possession battle by over four minutes but failed to capitalize on multiple opportunities throughout the game. The Rainbow Warriors went 9-for-21 on third down and just 1-for-3 on red zone opportunities, dropping passes and getting hit behind the line of scrimmage far too many times.

“I feel bad for the guys in the locker room,” head coach Timmy Chang said after the loss. “They’re playing hard … but you know, just things haven’t gone our way right now.”

Chang shouldered the blame for performance, stating that he needed to do a better job putting the players in position to succeed.

“It really starts with me,” said the fifth-year head man.

Both teams posted strong defensive starts, each forcing a three-and-out before UNLV QB Jackson Arnold and the rest of the Rebels got the scoring started on their second drive.

After a defensive pass interference set the visitors up near midfield, Arnold hit TE Keyan Burnett on a 25-yard strike and followed it up with a pair of QB draws in the red zone, mowing over a few Rainbow Warrior defenders on his way to the endzone for the game’s first points.

Hawai’i seemed to start dethawing towards the start of the second quarter, getting a 26-yard catch-and-run from Kai Kai Carvalho and a 10-yard rumble from Sitani Mikaele to set up Sean Olvera-Harle for a 39-yard field goal that got the hosts on the board.

The UH defense would force punts on the next two UNLV possessions but couldn’t hold up for a third time before the opening half’s end, seeing a 44-yard catch by Kayden McGee set up another Jackson Arnold battering-ram touchdown run with 1:33 left before the break.

“He’s a great quarterback,” Hawai’i senior linebacker Jamih Otis said about Arnold. “We knew before coming into the game [that] he was real good with his legs. I just think as a whole, we could’ve been more effective in understanding that and stopping that.”

The woes went on for Hawai’i following the halftime break.

Despite driving down the field and into the red zone on the first possession of the third quarter, the Rainbow Warriors exited another drive without any points after Sean Olvera-Harle’s 41-yard field goal try trickled wide right.

Still, the Hawai’i defense held strong and kept the UNLV offense quiet throughout the third quarter to keep within striking distance.

It appeared as though the Rainbow Warrior offense finally broke through before the end of the third frame after Alejado exited for a snap with a leg cramp, seeing Audric Harris seemingly snag a 15-yard laser from backup QB Bjorn Jurgensen for a touchdown until a review overturned the call on the field.

Faced with a 4th-and-goal from the UNLV 15, Hawai’i opted for points and trotted out Olvera-Harle for a 33-yard field goal with 1:32 left in the third quarter, making it a one-possession game again.

“I thought for the most part, our defense played really well and kept us right in it,” Chang said after the game. “Just kept us right around in striking distance to go and have a chance to tie the game or be in position to take over the game.”

Hawai’i forced another UNLV punt to begin the fourth quarter and drove deep into the red zone behind the backfield duo of DeVon Rice and Sitani Mikaele taking turns picking up positive yards.

Faced with a 4th-and-1 from the UNLV 10 while trailing by eight, Hawai’i opted to try and move the chains and instead got stuffed behind the line of scrimmage for a turnover-on-downs with 9:53 remaining.

The Hawai’i defense got the ball back one more time without giving up any more points, but another immediate three-and-out from the offense broke the back of the Rainbow Warriors with five minutes left to play.

UNLV RB Jai’den “Jet” Thomas provided the exclamation point for the visitors, delivering a 50-yard dash for the dagger as the Rebels retained possession of the Island Showdown Trophy for the fourth straight meeting.

Thomas finished with 143 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries for the Rebels, who ran for 258 yards as a team against the Hawai’i defense. Jackson Arnold finished the night 8-for-18 passing for 116 yards and added 89 yards with two scores on the ground.

 Jamih Otis led the effort for the Hawai’i defense, tallying 12 tackles in the loss. Despite the chance to throw the offense under the bus in the postgame, Otis emphasized togetherness for the Rainbow Warriors and turned the blame back on the defense.

“At the end of the day, we could do better because, you know, if they didn’t score 21 points, we would have won,” said the senior linebacker. “If we’ve got to be on the field for 100 plays, so be it … It’s just the brotherhood we have … We’ll go toe-to-toe anytime for the offense.”

Hawai’i must regroup quickly, turning attention to hosting New Mexico State (1-1) next Saturday before a much-needed bye week. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. HT and will be broadcast on K5 and the MW+ app.

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Hawai‘i, UNLV Meet in Early Mountain West Test for Island Showdown Trophy

Hawai‘i, UNLV Meet in Early Mountain West Test for Island Showdown Trophy

Sep 3, 2026

Hawai‘i, UNLV Meet in Early Mountain West Test for Island Showdown Trophy

HONOLULU — It may only be Week 1, but there will already be plenty at stake when Hawai‘i and UNLV meet Saturday afternoon at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.

Both teams enter the matchup 0-1 after opening-week losses, but Saturday also marks the Mountain West opener for both programs and the latest chapter in a rivalry that has become increasingly meaningful in recent years. When Hawai‘i and UNLV will play for the Island Showdown Trophy this Saturday, it will be their 18th consecutive meeting, the longest active streak UH has against any opponent.

Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. HT on The CW.

“There’s a sense of urgency in the game,” Hawai‘i head coach Timmy Chang said. “With an opponent like UNLV, top of the conference the last three years, this game is important.”

Chang added that beyond the early conference implications, the matchup has become one of the fixtures on Hawai‘i’s schedule.

“It’s a trophy game. It’s a rivalry game,” Chang said. “There’s a lot on the table, and then it’s gonna have implications on who plays in the Mountain West Championship later in the season.”

Hawai’i QB Brayden Schager steps up in the pocket after getting pressured by UNLV in the first half of the Island Showdown on Nov 9, 2024. | Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Both Teams Looking to Respond

Hawai‘i returns home after a 37-27 loss at Stanford that was far closer than the final margin indicates.

The Rainbow Warriors trailed by 16 before scoring 20 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, eventually taking a 27-23 lead with 4:06 remaining. Stanford responded with the game’s final 14 points to escape with the victory.

Quarterback Micah Alejado finished 31-of-51 for 272 yards and two touchdowns, while Tama Uiliata and Kaikai Carvalho each posted career performances. Uiliata caught eight passes for 62 yards and his first career touchdown, while Carvalho finished with five catches for 72 yards. Defensively, Kona Moore recorded a career-high 14 tackles.

For Hawai‘i pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach Jared Ursua, the late offensive surge provided something the Rainbow Warriors can carry into Saturday.

“What was awesome was seeing a 20-point fourth quarter and them catch fire,” Ursua said. “That confidence has bled into our practices.”

Ursua acknowledged that Hawai‘i had too many mistakes early against Stanford, particularly as several receivers settled into expanded roles, but said the response has already been noticeable.

“It was a totally different Monday and Tuesday for us,” he said. “So we’re excited.”

Hawaii WR Tama Uiliata celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown for Hawai’i in their game at Stanford on Aug 29, 2026 | Photo Credit: Brian Bautista

UNLV comes to Honolulu looking for a similar response after falling 27-21 to Memphis. The Rebels outgained the Tigers 460-418 but struggled to capitalize, scoring on just two of four trips inside the red zone while Memphis went 3-for-3.

It was a rare opening loss for a UNLV program that has become one of the Mountain West’s most consistent winners. The Rebels have appeared in three straight conference championship games and enter Saturday with the 10th-most wins nationally since the start of the 2024 season.

Hawai‘i Hasn’t Forgotten Last Year

There is also little need for Hawai‘i to search for motivation.

UNLV handed the Rainbow Warriors a 38-10 loss last November in Las Vegas, a game in which UH scored on a 70-yard Alejado-to-Jackson Harris touchdown but did not reach the end zone again.

The Rebels have won three straight meetings and four of the last five overall.

Ursua made it clear that last year’s result has remained with the Hawai‘i offense.

“We haven’t forgotten what happened,” Ursua said. “We’re happy this one’s at home. They gotta come on our turf, they gotta cross the big ocean, and they gotta come play Hawai‘i here in Mānoa.”

Hawai‘i has historically been a different team against UNLV at home.

The Rainbow Warriors lead the all-time series 19-16 and are 13-4 against the Rebels in Honolulu. UH has also won three of the last four home meetings despite UNLV’s recent overall success in the series.

More broadly, Ching Complex has provided a significant home-field advantage. Hawai‘i has won eight of its last nine there dating back to 2024 while averaging 31.8 points per game.

Hawaii QB Micah Alejado scrambles to avoid the UNLV defense. The redshirt freshman threw for 163 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT in the loss for UH on Nov 21, 2025 in Las Vegas. | Photo Credit: Brian Bautista

Can Hawai‘i Get the Offense Going Early?

One of Saturday’s biggest questions will be whether the Rainbow Warriors can carry their fourth-quarter rhythm from Stanford into the opening quarter against UNLV.

Ursua expects Hawai‘i to stay aggressive.

“We’re gonna line up and we’re gonna go attack them,” he said. “We’re gonna be aggressive. We’re gonna put the pedal down. We’re gonna throw the ball. We’re gonna run the ball.”

That will require handling a UNLV defense that gave Hawai‘i a variety of fronts and looks last season. Chang said the Rebels showed everything from three- and four-man fronts to six- and seven-man looks, making preparation and recognition critical.

UNLV head coach Dan Mullen, meanwhile, sees plenty of challenges on the other side.

Mullen pointed to Chang’s familiarity with Hawai‘i’s offense — both as its head coach and as one of the most successful quarterbacks ever to play in the system — while describing the Rainbow Warrior defense as a fast, hard-playing group.

“They’re really fast,” Mullen said. “Quick guys all over the field.”

With both teams trying to avoid an 0-2 start, conference positioning already in play and the Island Showdown Trophy on the line, Saturday has the feel of something much bigger than a typical second game of the season.

And Ursua’s message to the home crowd was simple:

“Get ready to cheer loud. We’re gonna throw the ball. We’re gonna do what Hawai‘i football does. We’re gonna create a really great atmosphere and hopefully we create another great memory here in Mānoa.”

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Three players to watch for in Hawaii-UNLV’s Week 1 matchup

Three players to watch for in Hawaii-UNLV’s Week 1 matchup

Sep 2, 2026

Three players to watch for in Hawaii-UNLV’s Week 1 matchup

HONOLULU – It’s time for another edition of the Ninth Island Showdown.

The battle for the Golden Pineapple trophy will take a trip into the middle of the Pacific Ocean on Saturday as the University of Hawai’i hosts UNLV in a critical early-season tilt between Mountain West Conference contenders.

Week 0 was unkind to both squads, seeing the Rainbow Warriors sleepwalk through two-and-a-half quarters before a ferocious fourth quarter comeback fell just short at Stanford while the Rebels took a halftime lead at home over Memphis before giving up the final 13 points of the game.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see how both teams will be looking at Week 1 in the islands.

That’s not to say “must-win” means the season will be over for the loser of Saturday’s game, but it certainly would put a dent into the conference championship aspirations for whichever can’t pull out a victory.

UNLV has won three of the four matchups against Hawai’i since Timmy Chang took over in 2022, only falling to the Rainbow Warriors in Chang’s first season at the helm. Last year, the Rebels put a damper on a dream-like season for UH with a momentum-stopping 38-10 thrashing at Allegiant Stadium in late November.

The teams have the earliest meeting in the rivalry’s history this time around. Saturday’s kickoff will be aired on national television with late-afternoon Hawai’i heat or another tropical storm hanging overhead as additional challenges for two dynamic offenses.

So, who will play the biggest roles on Saturday? Who writes their name in Ninth Island Showdown lore forever?

 

DB Kona Moore

Kona Moore celebrates during a career-best day at Stanford. | Photo Credit: Brian Bautista

Moore made a massive impact in UH’s opener at Stanford, compiling a career-high 14 tackles (10 solo, four assisted) as he started at safety next to Matagi Thompson against the Cardinal. The junior became the first Hawai’i player since Darius Muasau in 2020 to have at least 10 solo tackles in a single game and ranked as PFF’s top run-stopping safety in Week 0.

That type of performance would go a long way again in Week 1 against UNLV, who employs one of the most dynamic running backs in the nation in Jaiden “Jet” Thomas and a dual-threat signal caller in Jackson Arnold. Last season, the Rebels ran for 217 yards while Anthony Colandrea completed 21-of-26 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns in the air, dominating the Rainbow Warrior defense.

After missing that matchup, Moore and a new-look Hawai’i defense will get another shot at Dan Mullen’s high-octane offense. The Rebels put up over 400 yards of offense in the opener against Memphis, getting a good mix of production from both the run and pass.

Hawai’i will be looking to put up a better fight defensively on Saturday, especially after giving up more than 480 yards of their own against Stanford. Look for Moore to be in the middle of the action once again – even if he doesn’t lead the team in tackles this time – as the Rainbow Warriors work to get back on track.

 

QB Micah Alejado

Hawai’i QB Micah Alejado tosses a pass during Week 0’s game at Stanford. | Photo Credit: Brian Bautista

By no means was Alejado bad against Stanford in the opening weekend. The sophomore signal caller completed 60% of his passes for 272 yards and a pair of scores, including an incredible cross-body throw to the middle of the field during the ferocious fourth quarter comeback.

But the former Bishop Gorman star has always held himself to a higher standard. He went 39-2 across his four-year high school career, tossing 125 touchdowns to just four interceptions before picking the Rainbow Warriors over the Rebels and many other programs.

That excellence has continued since coming to the islands for his collegiate career. In the four games that Alejado has started for Hawai’i after a loss, the southpaw gunslinger has totaled 1,471 passing yards, 13 touchdown passes and only two interceptions while completing 68.5% of his throws.

The Rainbow Warriors are 4-0 in those contests.

Hawai’i and Alejado hope both of those trends continue against a UNLV program that has controlled the rivalry over the past few seasons. The Rebels took the opportunity to chirp Alejado last year after the 38-10 win against UH, something that also should not go unmentioned heading into the weekend.

If Hawai’i is going to snap a three-game losing streak against UNLV, it’ll largely be because the left arm of Alejado has turned golden once again.

 

RB DeVon Rice

Hawai’i RB DeVon Rice delivers a stiff arm to a Stanford defender during his two-touchdown day. | Photo Credit: Brian Bautista

Another Las Vegas product, Rice was nice in his Rainbow Warrior debut against Stanford as he led the team in rushing, turned in 60 total yards of offense and added a pair of touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving). A three-star recruit coming out of Bishop Gorman that originally committed to UH before spending his first two seasons in the Big 12 at Kansas State, the dynamic 5-foot-9 back reminded fans why his original commitment brought so much excitement.

Rice could see an even bigger offensive role this weekend after fellow running back Cam Barfield suffered a lower-body injury that held him out of the second half at Stanford. If that’s the case, an encore performance should absolutely be in the cards for the speedy sophomore.

Hawai’i did not get enough push up front in the run game against Stanford and struggled in 2025 against UNLV’s defense to get any rushing attack going. The chance to not play against a Power 4 defensive line should hopefully allow Rice to show off the breakaway speed in space that he displayed throughout training camp, which would bring a big change of pace from last year’s matchup against the Rebels.

His impact could also be felt in the return game if Barfield is unable to go. Either way, if Stanford was any indication – more Rice is a good thing for the Rainbow Warrior offense.

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Ford’s big day helps Stanford deny late Hawai’i comeback

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Aug 29, 2026

Ford’s big day helps Stanford deny late Hawai’i comeback

Too many mistakes to overcome.

The University of Hawai’i football team put fans through a rollercoaster ride on Saturday afternoon, ultimately faltering in the final minutes of the fourth quarter on “The Farm” as Stanford (1-0) scored twice in the final 101 seconds to take down the Rainbow Warriors, 37-27.

Hawai’i (0-1) struggled offensively throughout the first three quarters, going three-and-out on seven separate occasions while mustering up one singular scoring drive before finally finding a spark at the start of the final 15 minutes.

Without UH star receiver Pofele Ashlock to throw to, QB Micah Alejado took some time to find connections with other Rainbow Warrior pass catchers. The sophomore signal caller finished the day 30-of-50 passing for 269 yards and two touchdowns while fumbling once in the final minutes.

Tama Uiliata found his way into being Alejado’s temporary security blanket, getting 10 targets while hauling in a team-high eight receptions for a career-high 62 yards and his first college touchdown in the loss. Redshirt freshman receiver Kai Kai Carvalho followed right behind with five catches for a team-best 72 yards while Blaze Kamoku collected all three of his targets for 42 yards.

Despite Cam Barfield exiting at halftime due to an ankle injury, the Rainbow Warriors still got a few touchdowns out of the backfield as Sitani Mikaele found paydirt once and DeVon Rice rumbled into the end zone on two separate occasions.

Rice sandwiched the Hawai’i scores, punching in the season’s first touchdown for UH on a jet sweep that saw him speed to the edge before dashing by defenders in the fourth quarter to give the Rainbow Warriors their only lead of the day.

DeVon Rice runs up the field during Hawai’i’s 2nd half comeback effort. | Photo Credit: Brian Bautista

In all, Rice had 60 yards of offense (35 rush, 25 receiving) and two scores in his debut for Hawai’i and showed off his speed on a few different bursts through the day.

While both teams traded three-and-outs to begin the game, Stanford found an offensive rhythm far quicker than the Rainbow Warriors with a nine-play, 89-yard scoring drive on their second possession of the game.

A 57-yard catch-and-run from WR JonAnthony Hall set up the Cardinal inside the redzone, but the Hawai’i defense looked as though it would hold Stanford to a field goal after a third down incompletion. Unfortunately for the Rainbow Warriors, a late flag on Elijah Palmer for defensive pass interference gave the hosts a fresh set of downs and Micah Ford forced his way in for a two-yard touchdown on the next play to go up 7-0.

The Hawai’i offense snapped out of its slumber momentarily towards the top of the second quarter after the defense and special teams set them up to start near midfield, driving 55 yards in eight plays to tie the game, 7-7, with 10:18 left to play in the first half.

It was a short-lived leveling of the score as Stanford answered directly back on the next drive, marching 75 yards in just over three minutes to go back ahead as QB Davis Warren tossed a 6-yard touchdown pass to true freshman WR Atticus Joseph.

Hawai’i got another boost from the defense and special teams despite the return to faulty offensive showing, holding Stanford to a 33-yard field goal attempt that Ka’eo Akana knocked out of the air to head into halftime still trailing by just a score, 14-7.

The Rainbow Warrior woes didn’t stop after the midway break, going three-and-out again on the third quarter opening drive and seeing the ensuing punt get blocked out of the back of the end zone for a safety.

After the safety, Stanford added on again as a Micah Ford fumble on 4th-and-1 at the goal line was reversed to a touchdown following a lengthy review, giving the largest lead of the day to the Cardinal with 9:51 left in the third quarter, 23-7.

Alejado and the Rainbow Warriors finally got on track as the third frame ticked down, starting a 16-play, 80-yard march down the field that ended with a Sitani Mikaele 5-yard scoring rumble a few minutes into the fourth quarter.

Hawai’i added a two-point conversion on an end-around to Uiliata right after to make it a one-possession game, flipping the momentum for the visitors out of the Mountain West.

Lifted by the offense’s awakening, the Hawai’i defense forced a quick punt to get the ball right back in Alejado’s hands. The sophomore southpaw promptly sliced through the Stanford defense in five plays, driving 63 yards down the field and finding Uiliata on an incredible cross-body throw to pull the Rainbow Warriors within two with 9:39 left in regulation.

The UH defense got the ball right back again, only allowing the Cardinal to drain two minutes off the clock before giving it back to Alejado and company with a chance to take the lead for the first time all game.

Alejado would again lead a long scoring drive, going 90 yards in nine plays and hooking up with fellow Bishop Gorman alum DeVon Rice on a 29-yard touchdown to put Hawai’i ahead with 4:06 remaining in the fourth.

Stanford finally awoke from the closing quarter slumber after relinquishing the lead, quickly knifing through the Rainbow Warrior defense on the must-have drive. Ford finished off the possession with his third score of the game, putting the Cardinal ahead for good with 1:41 to play.

Hawai’i had one last shot for some Week 0 magic, but a big hit on Alejado jarred the ball loose for a Tevarua Tafiti 31-yard scoop-and-score that put a bow on top of a 37-27 win for Stanford.

Davis Warren enjoyed a big showing in his Cardinal debut, completing 22-of-34 passes for a career-high 310 yards and a touchdown. The Michigan transfer also added 31 yards on the ground, including a 25-yard scamper on a trick play by Stanford.

Micah Ford went for 99 yards and three touchdowns across 25 carries in the win and Sedrick Irvin chipped in 43 yards on eight rushes for the Cardinal.

Five different players eclipsed 40 yards receiving for Stanford and nine players recorded at least one catch. In all, the Cardinal offense racked up more yards than any game from the 2025 campaign with 483 yards against the Rainbow Warriors.

Hawai’i will look to re-group next weekend when UNLV comes to the islands, opening up Mountain West play with a massive matchup between preseason conference favorites on September 5 with kickoff set for 4 p.m. HT. The Rebels also fell in their Week 0 game, dropping a 27-21 decision against Memphis inside Allegiant Stadium.

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All Division-I FBS College Football players with Hawaii-ties in 2026

All Division-I FBS College Football players with Hawaii-ties in 2026

Aug 29, 2026

All Division-I FBS College Football players with Hawaii-ties in 2026

Waipahu graduate Tama Uiliata poses for a photo with Kapolei graduate Javian Goo after a college football game between Hawai’i and Arizona in 2025. | Photo: Brian Bautista

The talent pool of football players from Hawai’i is deep.

As the college football season is upon us, here is a list of all players with Hawai’i-ties that are on a Division-I FBS roster in 2026.

Note: If any player is missing, please email michaelhsrn@outlook.com.

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele celebrates after a Cal touchdown in the 2025 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

ACC

Boston College — ACC

LB Palaie Faoa (Ewa Beach, Hawai’i | Bishop Gorman (NV)

Cal — ACC

QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (Ewa Beach, Hawai’i | Campbell)

DB Aiden Manutai (Waipahu, Hawai’i | Kahuku)

QB Nainoa Lopes (Honolulu, Hawai’i | Saint Louis)

TE Taimane Purcell (Aiea, Hawai’i | Kamehameha)

OL Kamo’i Huihui-White (Honolulu | Hawai’i | Saint Louis)

OL Esaiah Wong (Waimanalo | Kailua)

DL Lebron Williams (Kahuku | Kahuku)

DL Stanley Saole-McKenzie (Kahului | Saint Louis)

Duke — ACC

QB Blaine Hipa (Kailua | Chandler | Princeton)

North Carolina — ACC

DL Jimmy-Phrisco Alo-Suliafu (Hau’ula | Jordan (TX)

WR Trech Kekahuna (Honolulu | Bishop Gorman (NV) | Wisconsin

SMU — ACC

OL Abel Hoopii (Anianiku | Farrington)

Stanford — ACC

OLB Tevarua Tafiti (Waipahu | Punahou)

SAF Donte Utu (Manoa | Punahou)

American

Army — American

CB Timothy Wallace (Mililani)

RB Chevas Gregory (Nanakuli | Timpview (Utah)

Rice — American

SAF Koa Akui (Hilo | Sacramento State)

Arizona DB Gavin Hunter lines up against Hawai’i in a 2025 contest. | Photo: Brian Bautista

Big 12

Arizona — Big 12

SAF Gavin Hunter (Ewa Beach | Mililani)

LB Nela Taliauli (Puna | Iolani)

DL Julian Savaiinaea (Saint Louis)

OL Javian Goo (Kapolei)

Arizona State — Big 12

OL Manamo’ui Muti (Wahiawa | Leilehua)

LB Isaiah Iosefa (Waipahu | Mililani)

DL Blazen Lono-Wong (Waimanalo | Kailua)

BYU — Big 12

DE Tausili Akana (Laie | Skyridge (UT) | Texas)

SAF Jarinn Kalama (Honolulu | Wasatch (UT)

LB Ace Kaufusi (Kahuku)

DE Vincent Tautua (Ewa Beach | Saint Louis)

WR Kila Keone (Pacific Palisades | Moanalua)

DT Ulavai Fetuli (Laie | La Habra (CA)

Colorado — Big 12

LB Liona Lefau (Kahuku | Texas)

Kansas — Big 12

OL Tavake Tuikolovatu (Wailuku | Summit (CA)

Kansas State — Big 12

WR Brandon White (played a season at Hawai’i)

UCF — Big 12

WR Jordan Nunuha (Nanakuli | Saint Louis)

OL Jacob Maiava (Kahuku)

Utah — Big 12

WR Mana Carvalho (Laie | Kahuku)

LB Brock Fonoimoana (Laie | Kahuku)

DT Pupu Sepulona (Kalihi | Saint Louis)

DT Stanley Raass (Laie | Kahuku)

OL Solatoa Moea’i (Laie | Punahou)

USC QB Jayden Maiava puts a stiff arm on a Nebraska defender during the 2024 season. | Photo: Brian Bautista

Big Ten

Michigan — Big Ten

RB Micah Ka’apana (Waianae | Bishop Gorman (NV)

OL Malakai Lee (Kaneohe | Kamehameha)

OL Houston Ka’aha’aina-Torres (Waimanalo | Saint Louis | Nebraska)

Michigan State — Big Ten

LB Leonard Ah You (Laie | Kahuku

EDGE Kekai Burnett (Honolulu | Punahou)

EDGE Anelu Lafaele (Kalihi | Farrington | Wisconsin)

OL Rustin Young (Honolulu | Saint Louis)

Nebraska — Big Ten

OL Preston Taumua (Waipahu)

Oregon — Big Ten

QB Dylan Raiola (borned in Honolulu)

ILB Will Straton (Honolulu | Punahou)

RB Zander Quinn (Hilo | Oxford Area (PA)

OLB Teitum Tuioti (Laie | Sheldon (OR)

OL Koloi Keli (Honolulu | Farrington)

OL Iapani Laloulu (Honolulu | Farrington)

OL Kawika Rogers (Kapaa)

Penn State — Big Ten

OL Vaea Ikakoula (Laie | West (UT) | Iowa State)

Purdue — Big Ten

LB Charles Correa (Kuli’ou’ou | Bishop Gorman (NV) | UNLV

UCLA — Big Ten

LS Halakilangi Muagututi’a (Laie | Kahuku)

LB Mone Malafu (Kapaa)

LB Malaki Soliai-Tui (Kahuku)

USC — Big Ten

QB Jayden Maiava (Palolo | Liberty (NV) | UNLV)

LB Talanoa Ili (Chino, Calif. | Kahuku)

Washington — Big Ten

EDGE Ramzak Fruean (Nanakuli | Bethel (WA)

QB Kini McMillan (Mililani)

TE Kekua Aumua (Hau’ula | Kahuku)

Conference USA

Kennesaw State — CUSA

LS Brock Walters (Kailua Kona | Winter Park (FL) | Marshall

New Mexico State — CUSA

LB Fa’apaia Fualema (Waipahu | Foothill College)

Independent

Notre Dame — Independent

LB Ko’o Kia (Kahalu’u | Punahou)

LB Kahanu Kia (Kahalu’u | Punahou)

MAC

Central Michigan — MAC

OL Losini Maka (Honolulu | Blair Academy (NJ) | Georgetown

Western Michigan — MAC

TE Enese Tonga (Kahuku | Garden City CC)

Former Saint Louis QB AJ Bianco scrambles against Hawai’i during the 2024 season. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

Mountain West

Air Force — Mountain West

WR Sylas Maiava-Alaimalo (Waikele | Damien)

WR Astin Hange (Kapolei | Punahou)

OL Tayston Tiitii (Ewa Beach | Punahou)

Hawai’i — Mountain West

DB Kona Moore (Kapolei | Saint Louis)

WR Kaikai Carvalho (La’ie | Kahuku)

WR Tama Uiliata (Waipahu)

TE Devon Tauaefa (Honolulu | Saint Louis)

DL Ka’eo Akana (Honolulu | Roosevelt | Utah)

QB Micah Alejado (born in Honolulu)

LB Wynden Ho’ohuli (Kapolei | Mililani | Nebraska)

WR Koa Eldredge (Honolulu | Punahou | BYU)

DB Riis Weber (Kailua | Idaho State)

QB Hazyn Botelho (Kaneohe | Kamehameha)

WR Nick Delgadillo (Paramount, Calif. | Saint Louis)

WR Blaze Kamoku (Kapolei | Kamehameha | Olivet Nazarene)

LB Żaden Mariteragi (Kahuku | Farrington)

WR Diezel Kamoku (Kapolei | Kahuku | Utah)

DB Kela Moore (Kapolei | Campbell | UNLV)

DL Noah Wily (La’ie | Saint Louis)

DB Makana Meyer (Waipahu | Mililani)

WR Titan Lacaden (Kapolei | Saint Louis)

DB Ezekiel Rodrigues (Kaneohe | Mililani)

DB Kodi DeCambra (Honolulu | Bishop German (NV) | UNLV)

DB Matagi Thompson (Honolulu | Punahou)

DL Nazaiah Caravallo (Ewa Beach | Campbell)

RB Sitani Mikaele (Waiahole | Farrington)

DB Jahren Altura (Honolulu | Saint Louis)

LB Ziggy Vea (Nanakuli | Farrington)

RB Tryton Keli’ikipi (Waianae | Kapolei)

LB Scoob Paogofie (Waianae | Campbell)

DB Brayton Correa (Honolulu | Bishop Gorman (NV)

DB Jordan Fetu (Ewa Beach | Mililani | Olivet Nazarene)

LB Matteus Ioane (Wahiawa | Leilehua)

LB Alika Cavaco-Amoy (Waimanalo | Punahou)

TE Micah Kaonohi-Kaihenui (Waimanalo | Kamehameha)

LS Nick Pang (Honolulu | Punahou)

LB Kingston Costales (Waianae)

LB Kolo Kaululaau (Kaneohe | Maryknoll)

LB Tasi Tadio (Wahiawa | Saint Louis)

OL Tu’i Muti (La’ie | Punahou)

OL Eric McFall (played at Kaimuki)

OL KJ Hallums (Aiea | Bishop Gorman (NV)

OL Jordan Kernaghan (Ewa Beach | Campbell)

OL Ethan Spencer (Kailua | Saint Louis)

OL Ezekiel Salanoa (Honolulu | Saint Louis)

OL Lautaimi Manuma (Ewa Beach | Campbell)

OL Josh Tavui (Ewa Beach | Campbell)

OL Judah Kaio (Kaneohe | Kahuku | Pacific)

TE Frank Abreu (Kula | KS-Maui)

WR Josiah Fetui (Ewa Beach | Saint Louis)

WR Brandon Gaea (Honolulu | Bishop Gorman (NV)

DL Ha’aheo Dela Cruz (Honolulu | Iolani)

DL Josh Sagapolutele (Waimanalo | Saint Louis)

DL Waipehe Winchester (Mililani | Iolani)

DL Iosefa Letuli (Oceanside, Calif. | Kaimuki | BYU)

Nevada — Mountain West

QB AJ Bianco (Lahaina | Saint Louis)

San Jose State — Mountain West

QB Luke Weaver (played a season at Hawai’i)

WR Tama Amisone (Kapolei)

LB Aizik Mahuka (Mililani | Weber State)

SAF Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa (Ewa Beach | Kahuku)

OL Kamuela Wilhelm (Kailua | Punahou)

TE Kamaehu Kopa-Kaawalauole (Ewa Beach | Campbell)

UNLV — Mountain West

LB Kamuela Ka’aihue (Papakolea | Roosevelt | Arizona)

LB Blesyng Alualu-Tuiolemotu (Kalihi | Campbell)

Utah State’s Tavo Motuapuaka blocks in a game against Hawai’i in 2025. | Photo: Brian Bautista

Pac-12

Boise State — Pac-12

DB Madden Soliai (Kahuku)

Colorado State — Pac-12

OL Uluaki Tatafu (Waimanalo | Kailua)

OL Packs Ahovelo (Waimanalo | Kailua)

Fresno State — Pac-12

OL Efren Siuloa (Laie | West (UT)

DL Gino Quinones (Ewa. Beach | Saint Louis | USC)

WR Darrian Anderson (Waipio Gentry | Junipero Serra (CA) | Oregon

Oregon State — Pac-12

DB Kahanu Kalahiki (Kaimuki | Kamehameha)

OL Josiah Timoteo (Waianae)

San Diego State — Pac-12

SAF Tainoa Lave (Kapolei | Campbell)

OL Kalan Ellis (Waimanalo | Saint Louis | Syracuse)

DL Malachi Finau (played three seasons at Hawai’i)

Utah State — Pac-12

OL Chantz Chargualaf (Ewa Beach | Campbell)

TE Kache Kaio (Laie | Kahuku | Snow College CC)

OL Kaholi Krau (Wailuku | Baldwin)

OL Tavo Motu’apuaka (Honolulu | Mililani)

RB Clyde Taulapapa (Kahuku)

Washington State — Pac-12

DT Sione Pasi (Hau’ula | Kahuku | Montana Western)

SEC

Alabama — SEC

QB Tayden-Evan Kaawa (Molokai | Orem (UT)

LSU — SEC

WR Jackson Harris (spent a year at Hawai’i)

Missouri — SEC

RB Malae Fonoti (La’ie | Kahuku | Montana)

Oklahoma — SEC

OL Darius Afalava (Hau’ula | Skyridge (UT))

Texas A&M — SEC

QB Helaman Casuga (Kona | Timpview (UT))

Sun Belt

Georgia Southern — Sun Belt

OL Kingtriton Samuela (Waipahu | Pebblebrook (GA)

HAWAI’I FOOTBALL COVERAGE ON HSRN IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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HONOLULU – Déjà vu for a few. The University of Hawai’i football team will open a campaign against Stanford once again in 2026, this time traveling to “The Farm” on the continent to take on a brand-new coaching staff and very similar Cardinal team...

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Three players to watch for in Hawaii-Stanford’s Week 0 matchup

Three players to watch for in Hawaii-Stanford’s Week 0 matchup

Aug 26, 2026

Three players to watch for in Hawaii-Stanford’s Week 0 matchup

HONOLULU – Déjà vu for a few.

The University of Hawai’i football team will open a campaign against Stanford once again in 2026, this time traveling to “The Farm” on the continent to take on a brand-new coaching staff and very similar Cardinal team on Saturday afternoon.

The Rainbow Warriors enter 2026 with bigger expectations than any other season in the Timmy Chang era, now entering Year 5 with the former UH signal caller at the helm. It’ll be the third time in those five years that Hawai’i will take on Stanford but the first time in Chang’s tenure that the game will take place on the continent.

It’s a rubber match set up nicely for storylines: Two head coaches of Polynesian decent back at their alma maters, a G6 program on the rise with hopes of flirting with even bigger destinations against a classic college program looking to return to prominence and both teams with a win in their back pocket already from the last two games in Honolulu.

Hawaii HC Timmy Chang encourages his team during the 2025 season opener against Stanford. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

For Stanford, it’s a chance to open up the Tavita Pritchard era at home with a victory over a non-bottom feeder program ahead of a challenging schedule, including a Week 1 matchup against a fresh Miami Hurricanes unit that went to the national championship game last season.

For Hawai’i, it’s a chance to set the tone for a season filled with conference championship hopes and College Football Playoff dreams. Last year’s walk-off win against Stanford helped provide the vibe for a 9-4 campaign for the Rainbow Warriors, the best season for Chang by a wide margin and the highest win total since the Nick Rolovich era at UH.

But the Rainbow Warriors are aware that this year’s Stanford challenge presents bigger hurdles.

The Cardinal returned 60% of their snaps from last year and feature a large portion of 2025’s talented crop that went 4-2 at home. Back is the entirety of the offensive line, along with breakout candidate Micah Ford and a wide receiver room filled with unproven-but-uber-talented commodities.

That doesn’t even get into the defense for Stanford, which will now be led by a former NFL mind in Kris Richard. Back is LB Matt Rose, who had 13 tackles and a sack against the Rainbow Warriors in 2025’s season opener before going on to finish among the top tacklers in the entire ACC.

Alongside him comes ACC honorable-mention safety Jay Green and one of his running mates, Scotty Edwards. Add in a cornerback room that has more than a handful of guys with starting experience for the Cardinal and the pieces are there for a better performing defense compared to last year’s unit.

Hawai’i has the most important position figured out, charging into battle with sophomore QB Micah Alejado at the wheel. The 5-foot-10 southpaw signal caller took a beating against Stanford in 2025, suffering a lower-leg injury that nagged him through the rest of the season, but put up solid numbers with 210 passing yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions as he helped rally the Rainbow Warriors to a 23-20 win in the season opener.

He’ll likely be without his favorite target from a year ago in Pofele Ashlock, though the 6-foot-2 senior receiver continues his push to return from an injury that held him out of individual and team drills throughout camp. He also won’t have Jackson Harris, who transferred to LSU last offseason after enjoying an All-Mountain West 1st-team campaign with the Rainbow Warriors.

So, who is going to flip the script this year for Hawai’i? Which players can’t afford to disappear, and which will provide extra on the margins for an upset on “The Farm” on Saturday?

Here’s a few guesses on guys to watch for the Rainbow Warriors.

WR Kainoa “Kai Kai” Carvalho

The Hawai’i WR room warms up together during stretching period of training camp. | Photo credit: Ku’ulei Agbayani, HSRN

 

Don’t be fooled by Carvalho’s frame. The former Kahuku Red Raider showed out throughout training camp as one of the most active targets for both Micah Alejado and QB2 Bjorn Jurgensen, hauling in multiple passes per drive on several occasions during team drills and scrimmages for the Rainbow Warriors.

Carvalho was a demon during his time on the high school gridiron, leading Kahuku to back-to-back Open Division state titles while earning MaxPreps’ Hawaii State Player of the Year honors as a junior while also receiving recognition from ScoringLive and the Star-Advertiser as the Offensive Player of the Year. The valedictorian of his graduating class, Carvalho shows off a high football IQ as well with a feel for finding space and the toughness to complete catches through contact in the middle of the field.

His speed is a separator as well, providing another option for Chang and company to use in multiple different phases of the game. Don’t be surprised if the redshirt freshman finds his way into the mix with a few chain-moving snags on Saturday that keep drives going for the Rainbow Warriors.

 

IDL Luther McCoy

Hawai’i Defensive Tackle Luther McCoy holds up the Paniolo Trophy after the Rainbow Warriors’ win over Wyoming in 2025. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

 

One of the returning faces from last year’s defensive front, McCoy provides positional flexibility for defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman and the Rainbow Warriors. At 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, the graduate defensive lineman can flex on the interior or edge in the trenches and wreak havoc in both spots.

In 2025, McCoy had 19 total quarterback pressures from the interior while playing in 12 of Hawai’i’s 13 games. He blocked a field goal against the Cardinal to begin his UH career and went on to reach weeks of being the highest-graded interior defensive lineman in the country by the middle of the year.

Stanford will have the physical advantage over Hawai’i in the trenches when the teams take the field on Saturday, but that doesn’t mean the Rainbow Warriors will absolutely get destroyed where the dirty work is done. If they want to stand a chance against slowing down the Stanford ground game though, it’ll be important that McCoy remains his steady self against the run.

 

RB Cam Barfield

Hawaii RB Cam Barfield leaps for the pylon to score his first touchdown against Portland State. | Photo credit: Rayden Aoki

 

Barfield enjoyed a nice outing against Stanford in 2025, taking six carries for 45 yards while adding a catch for 10 yards in the win by the Rainbow Warriors. He took on bigger and bigger roles as the season went on, turning into a weapon in the passing attack and return game for Chang’s squad.

Without Landon Sims, Barfield could see an even bigger role in the backfield in 2026. A quick-burst athlete with kick returning chops, Barfield provides opportunities at explosive plays each time he touches the ball in space.

Unlike his counterpart across the way in Stanford bell cow back Micah Ford, Barfield will probably have to share his touches with a few other UH backs on Saturday. That doesn’t mean he won’t have chances to break into the open and show why he was originally recruited by an ACC school out of high school himself.

If he can provide that burst of energy he did on several occasions in 2025 (and not the fair-catch blunder that started the Stanford game), it will put Hawai’i one step closer to an upset of a Power 4 school on the road.

HAWAI’I FOOTBALL COVERAGE ON HSRN IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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