Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Oct 10, 2026

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

The seeds of competence were there.

The University of Hawai’i football team traveled to Tempe, took an early lead for the first time in a month and slowly unraveled afterwards on the way to a 30-12 loss to Arizona State (3-2) on Saturday night.

Sophomore QB Micah Alejado had an up-and-down evening for the Rainbow Warriors, completing 25-of-49 pass attempts for 252 yards, one touchdown and one interception while seeing his receivers drop a handful of his throws throughout a rainy night in the desert.

WR Kai Kai Carvalho led all pass catchers for Hawai’i (1-5) as the redshirt freshman hauled in seven receptions for 86 yards in the loss. Fellow redshirt freshman receiver Titan Lacaden chipped in seven catches of his own while racking up 43 yards in the aerial attack.

Devin Alves continued his breakout for UH with another deep catch to start the night, grabbing 47 of his 60 total yards on the first play of the game to eventually set up a 44-yard field goal from Sean Olvera-Harle and give a 3-0 advantage to the visitors less than 90 seconds into the action. It marked the first lead of any kind for the Rainbow Warriors since September 12 against New Mexico State.

Arizona State returned fire on their own opening drive, using an 18-yard TD reception from WR Reed Harris to cap off a 10-play, 79-yard scoring march that gave a 7-3 lead to the hosts midway through the first quarter.

DB Makana Meyer, who was sprung into a starting role for the Rainbow Warriors with usual starting safety Matagi Thompson held out due to injury, gave the visitors a spark with a partial punt block that set up the UH offense at the ASU 27-yard line as the opening frame wound down.

But the Rainbow Warriors’ red zone woes reared their ugly head again after working the ball all the way down to the 2-yard line.

A false start on 1st-and-Goal was followed by a sack of Alejado, which was followed by a delay of game penalty to make 2nd-and-Goal start back at Arizona State’s 21-yard line.

An incomplete pass preceded another sack of Alejado, pushing Hawai’i back to the 33-yard line on 4th-and-Goal. Olvera-Harle trotted out for a 51-yard field goal try after the set of downs began at the 2-yard line and sent the kick wide right, leading to no points off the blocked punt for UH.

Arizona State quickly countered a scoring drive of their own, pushing the lead out to double digits with just under 10 minutes left in the first half as true freshman RB Cardae Mack recorded his first career TD run from a yard out.

Hawai’i worked back down the field to add another 30-yard field goal from Olvera-Harle before the half, but ASU countered with a field goal of their own as Carson Smith connected on a season-long 47-yard kick to send the Sun Devils into the locker room leading by 11.

The UH defense provided another life preserver for the anemic offense throughout the majority of the third quarter, forcing a pair of punts and allowing no points after the Alejado interception, but got no more help in the frame in the form of points.

Mack finally broke the dam with a 67-yard scoring scamper that opened up a 24-6 lead for the Sun Devils with just under a minute left in the third quarter.

Audric Harris and Alejado connected for a 32-yard score at the start of the fourth quarter to provide a brief heartbeat back to the Rainbow Warriors. The defense got the ball back again for Hawai’i with more than 10 minutes remaining in regulation, but a drive that got to the doorstep of the red zone ended with a turnover-on-downs for the visitors two minutes later.

The Sun Devils drove the dagger through the hearts of Hawai’i hopefuls on the next drive, draining the clock down to the two-minute timeout before Reed grabbed his second TD catch of the night to cap off a 30-12 victory.

Arizona State totaled 420 yards of offense on the night, 231 of which came on the ground as true freshman RB Cardae Mack celebrated his birthday with a career-high 154 yards and two touchdowns across 13 carries.

QB Cutter Boley completed 68% of his passes for 189 yards and a pair of scores through the air while chipping in 40 yards rushing in the victory for the Sun Devils. WR Reed Harris snagged eight of his nine targets for 91 yards and both touchdowns for the hosts, continuing a standout season that’s gotten his name added to the Biletnikoff Award watch list.

Hawai’i will try to bounce back next weekend as a gauntlet stretch of games continues with Mountain West leader New Mexico visiting the islands. Arizona State will travel to take on Texas Tech next weekend, looking to piece together consecutive wins for the first time this season.

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Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Oct 10, 2026

HONOLULU – Someone tell Joshua Walker to keep his dancing shoes handy. The University of Hawai’i women’s volleyball team continued a perfect start to conference play on Saturday night, slicing through San Jose State (6-10, 1-5 Mountain West) in...

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Oct 10, 2026

The seeds of competence were there. The University of Hawai’i football team traveled to Tempe, took an early lead for the first time in a month and slowly unraveled afterwards on the way to a 30-12 loss to Arizona State (3-2) on Saturday night....

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Hawai‘i Heads to Arizona State as Both Teams Look to Rebound From Frustrating Losses

Hawai‘i Heads to Arizona State as Both Teams Look to Rebound From Frustrating Losses

Oct 8, 2026

Hawai‘i Heads to Arizona State as Both Teams Look to Rebound From Frustrating Losses

Hawai‘i heads back on the road Saturday for its first meeting with Arizona State in nearly two decades, with both programs looking to put disappointing performances behind them.

The Rainbow Warriors (1-4, 0-3 Mountain West) will face the Sun Devils (2-2, 1-1 Big 12) at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Hawai‘i time, with national television coverage on FS1.

Hawai‘i is coming off a 20-16 home loss to San José State, its third consecutive defeat, while Arizona State looks to regroup following a 55-19 loss to Baylor that exposed significant defensive issues and offensive inconsistencies.

For Hawai‘i head coach Timmy Chang, the focus remains on how his team responds to adversity.

“Tough losses and tough times,” Chang said during Tuesday’s media availability. “Dig down deep, character check, doing all the right things, being the right person.”

Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Moving the Ball Isn’t Enough

Hawai‘i’s offensive struggles have been particularly frustrating because the Rainbow Warriors have demonstrated an ability to move the football without consistently turning those opportunities into points.

Against San José State, UH produced a season-high 438 total yards and outgained the Spartans by 114 yards, but managed only 16 points. The Warriors committed two turnovers and converted just one of two red-zone opportunities.

Sophomore quarterback Micah Alejado completed 23-of-35 passes for 341 yards, his second 300-yard performance of the season. He leads the Mountain West with 272.2 passing yards per game and has thrown for 1,361 yards through five contests.

Despite that production, Hawai‘i is averaging just 17.6 points per game, with four passing touchdowns on the season.

One encouraging development was the emergence of senior receiver Devin Alves, who caught three passes for 121 yards against the Spartans, including a 58-yard touchdown.

Chang praised Alves’ confidence and development, particularly his willingness to attack the middle of the field and make plays after the catch.

“Love to see the growth of Dev, and we’re gonna need it,” Chang said.

The Warriors have also struggled to establish a consistent running game, averaging just 86 yards per contest. That imbalance has placed additional pressure on Alejado and an offensive line that has undergone several personnel changes.

Chang said the coaching staff remains committed to its approach, emphasizing fundamentals and execution rather than wholesale changes.

“We’re just gonna stay with the process as it is,” Chang said. “We’ll just get better at diving in deeper and coaching better and getting our guys to execute.”

Hawai‘i wide receiver Devin Alves (center) celebrates with teammates following his 58-yard touchdown reception against San José State on Oct. 3, 2026. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Arizona State Looking to Fix Defensive Breakdowns

Arizona State enters Saturday’s matchup facing questions of its own following Baylor’s 564-yard offensive performance.

The Bears rushed for 244 yards, converted nine of 15 third downs and scored 55 points against a Sun Devil defense that had previously shown considerable strength.

Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham acknowledged that defensive communication and missed assignments played major roles in the loss.

“We just weren’t on the same page,” Dillingham said during Monday’s press conference, explaining that Baylor’s formations and adjustments created confusion over coverage responsibilities.

Dillingham took responsibility for the breakdowns, stressing that the coaching staff must better prepare players to recognize and respond to different offensive looks.

The performance could present opportunities for Alejado and Hawai‘i’s passing attack, particularly if the Warriors can capitalize on defensive miscommunications and generate explosive plays.

However, Arizona State’s defense is still allowing just 201 passing yards per game, and the Sun Devils will be looking to reestablish the physicality that has characterized the program under Dillingham.

Baylor RB Caden Knighten scores a 75-yard touchdown against Arizona State in the 55-19 Bears win on October 3, 2026 | Screenshot courtesy of ESPN/Big XII Studios

Sun Devils Bring Size and Offensive Firepower

Arizona State averages 421.8 yards and 33.3 points per game, led by quarterback Cutter Boley and a receiving corps capable of creating significant yardage after the catch.

Boley threw for 304 yards in the loss to Baylor, while receiver Reed Harris finished with seven catches for 125 yards. Despite producing 409 total yards, the Sun Devils scored only one touchdown and settled for four field goals.

Dillingham pointed to missed scoring opportunities as another area requiring improvement, noting that Arizona State repeatedly advanced deep into Baylor territory without finishing drives.

That struggle mirrors Hawai‘i’s recent offensive difficulties, making red-zone execution an important factor for both teams Saturday.

Arizona State also holds a notable size advantage along its offensive front. The Sun Devils’ most recent starting offensive line averages approximately 320 pounds, compared with roughly 270 pounds across Hawai‘i’s four-man defensive line.

The Warriors will need to overcome that physical difference with disciplined run fits, effective tackling and pressure on Boley.

Hawai‘i enters the matchup allowing 384.6 total yards per game, including 158.2 on the ground.

Hawai’i defensive line gets ready to line up against San Jose State on October 3, 2026
Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Turnovers and Execution Could Decide the Outcome

Protecting the football figures to be another critical factor.

Arizona State committed three turnovers against Baylor, while Hawai‘i has struggled to overcome giveaways throughout the season.

Since the beginning of 2025, the Rainbow Warriors are 10-2 when winning or tying the turnover battle and 0-6 when losing it.

For a Hawai‘i offense still searching for consistency in the red zone, creating takeaways and favorable field position could be essential against a Sun Devil team with greater offensive production.

Saturday also presents an opportunity for both programs to demonstrate improvement after difficult stretches.

Chang acknowledged that Hawai‘i’s youth and inexperience have contributed to its growing pains. Fifteen Rainbow Warriors have made their first career collegiate starts this season, the third-highest total nationally.

Still, the fifth-year head coach emphasized that development must happen during the season rather than becoming a discussion about the future.

“There’s still a lot of season,” Chang said. “We’re always in the moment.”

A Return to Tempe After Nearly Seven Decades

Saturday marks the eighth meeting between Hawai‘i and Arizona State and the first since the 2006 Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl.

The Sun Devils lead the all-time series 5-2, although Hawai‘i has won the last two meetings, including a 41-24 victory in 2006 behind Colt Brennan’s 559 passing yards and five touchdowns.

It will also be Hawai‘i’s first appearance in Tempe since 1958.

The Rainbow Warriors are seeking their first true road victory against a power-conference opponent since defeating California in Berkeley in 1994.

To end that drought, Hawai‘i will need to turn its offensive production into touchdowns while limiting the explosive plays and physical advantages of an Arizona State team eager to respond to one of its most disappointing performances of the season.

Hawai‘i at Arizona State
Saturday, Oct 10, 4:30 p.m. HST
Mountain America Stadium | Tempe, AZ
TV: FS1

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Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Oct 10, 2026

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Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

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San Jose State hangs on late to deal devastating loss to Hawai’i

San Jose State hangs on late to deal devastating loss to Hawai’i

Oct 4, 2026

San Jose State hangs on late to deal devastating loss to Hawai’i

HONOLULU – No more magic in Mānoa.

Despite posting a season-high 438 yards, the University of Hawai’i football team’s nightmare start to the season continued on Saturday night as they fell 20-16 against San Jose State (3-2, 1-0 Mountain West) inside Clarence T.C. Ching Complex.

“Pretty tough game for our guys,” head coach Timmy Chang said after the Rainbow Warriors lost their sixth straight game against the Spartans. “My heart aches for those guys.”

Hawai’i (1-4, 0-3 Mountain West) got plenty of production offensively, out-gaining SJSU by 114 yards, but once again failed to capitalize in the red zone. In two trips inside the Spartans’ 20-yard line, UH turned the ball over on downs in the first half and opted for three points when facing a 4th-and-5 from the SJSU 6 in the late third quarter.

QB Micah Alejado posted his second game with 300 or more passing yards this season, tallying 338 yards and a touchdown through the air for the Rainbow Warriors. The sophomore signal caller also tossed two interceptions, one in each half, that led directly to 10 points for San Jose State.

“That was a bad thing from me,” Alejado said of his turnovers. “The second interception killed us. I think that’s where it turned the game for us. Bad interception by me, just stepped up, overthrew the guy. Tried to get a little more on it just because the hole was tight, and it ended up sailing on me … It put our defense in a bad situation.”

The Hawai’i offense failed to score any points throughout the first half for the first time this season while the defense allowed a pair of touchdowns to the Spartans before the halftime break.

The game’s opening score came in the second quarter after SJSU’s Jayden Robertson stepped in front of an Alejado pass intended for Nick Delgadillo and set up the Spartans offense at the Rainbow Warrior 20-yard line.

Former UH QB Luke Weaver wasted little time helping his new squad capitalize on the mistake, finding TE Kamaehu Kopa-Kaawalauole three plays later for a 10-yard score as Hawai’i DB Matagi Thompson missed an interception of his own by a millisecond.

“I’ve got to have that interception,” said Thompson while emphasizing how the defense needs to make the most of their opportunities. The senior safety led UH with eight tackles in the loss, tying his career high.

After being held completely scoreless in the first quarter, Weaver and company added on again on the next second quarter drive with a 73-yard, seven-play scoring march to open up a 14-0 lead before halftime.

Hawai’i finally found some offensive life to begin the third frame with help from a beautiful 49-yard Alejado bomb to WR Devin Alves, but a pair of false start penalties combined with a holding call afterwards forced the hosts to settle for a field goal as Sean Olvera-Harle hit from a career-best 44 yards out.

Re-energized by points, the Hawai’i defense promptly forced a three-and-out from the San Jose State offense and got the ball back for the offense two minutes later.

Hawai’i marched down the field again, this time with the help of two personal foul penalties against the Spartans, but failed to find paydirt as Micah Alejado’s 3rd-and-7 scramble from the SJSU 8 got stopped after two yards and brought out Olvera-Harle for a 24-yard chip shot to make it a one-possession game.

The Rainbow Warriors continued to ride the wave of momentum as the defense forced another punt on the next Spartans drive. Alejado hit Alves two plays later for a 58-yard catch-and-run score, bringing Hawai’i within a point with 3:20 left to play in the third quarter.

San Jose State’s offense finally got a jolt just before the end of the third frame with a pair of big completions from Weaver, who hit WR Cooper Hoch for a 20-yard gain before connecting with WR Carson Clark on a 43-yard shot that put the Spartans inside the Hawai’i 10-yard line.

Despite the two long completions, the Hawai’i defense held strong with the help of Julian Smith’s second sack of the night and forced the Spartans to settle for a 24-yard field goal of their own to keep it a 17-13 game entering the fourth quarter.

Hawai’i added on another 44-yard field goal from Olvera-Harle just after the final 15 minutes had started, bringing the margin back within a point.

The Rainbow Warriors got the ball back with 7:48 to play after SJSU kicker Trajan Sinatra sent a 41-yard field goal try wide right, needing any type of score to take the team’s first lead in any conference game so far this season.

Unfortunately, another false start and a drop quickly set back the offense and Alejado sailed a third-down throw over Alves for his second interception of the night to give great starting field position to the Spartans with 6:46 remaining and a one-point lead.

SJSU rolled the dice twice on what would end up as their final drive, going for (and converting) a pair of fourth downs to keep the clock rolling before tacking on a 30-yard field goal with 1:17 left to play to make it a four-point game, forcing the Rainbow Warriors to need a touchdown to win.

Hawai’i worked the ball to the San Jose State 37-yard line for a “Hail Mary” attempt despite some disastrous decisions during the under-two-minute drill, but Alejado’s heave into the end zone was batted away and fell to the turf as the Rainbow Warrior second half comeback dropped just short.

Undisciplined play had a big hand in the continued offensive failure to find the end zone as the Rainbow Warriors committed a season-high 12 penalties for 85 yards, 11 of which were by the UH offense.

“It comes down to discipline,” Chang said of the penalties. “[Flags are] never good and that’s something that continues to happen. In one possession games, in these types of situations, [penalties] come back to haunt you.”

The Hawai’i defense also failed to force a turnover for the fourth time in five games, but did post a season-best seven tackles-for-loss. The Rainbow Warriors are 0-6 since the start of the 2025 season when failing to take the ball away.

Luke Weaver enjoyed his trip back to the islands with his new squad, leading the San Jose State offense with a pair of touchdown passes and 248 yards through the air while completing 68% of his attempts and not turning the ball over at all.

Senior RB Jabari Bates tacked on 74 rushing yards across 27 carries and added another 39 yards receiving on two catches for the Spartans. Freshman WR Carson Clark led the receiving corps with five snags for 74 yards and a touchdown.

In a season that started with whispers of a potential Mountain West championship appearance, Hawai’i now faces an uphill climb towards any potential bowl eligibility. The Rainbow Warriors will need five wins in the final seven games and still have a trip to Arizona State next weekend and a pair of home matchups with conference favorites New Mexico and North Dakota State still ahead.

“It’s one day at a time,” Chang said of how the team would attack the remainder of the schedule. “You clean up these little things, regardless of who’s in there, who’s playing, it comes down to execution [and] discipline.”

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

Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

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Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

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Postgame Notes & Quotes: Self-Inflicted Mistakes Cost Hawai‘i Against San José State

Postgame Notes & Quotes: Self-Inflicted Mistakes Cost Hawai‘i Against San José State

Oct 4, 2026

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.”

Timmy Chang

Head Coach, Hawai'i Football

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.”

Micah Alejado

Quarterback, Hawai'i Football

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?”

Timmy Chang

Head Coach, Hawai'i Football

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

Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Oct 10, 2026

HONOLULU – Someone tell Joshua Walker to keep his dancing shoes handy. The University of Hawai’i women’s volleyball team continued a perfect start to conference play on Saturday night, slicing through San Jose State (6-10, 1-5 Mountain West) in...

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Oct 10, 2026

The seeds of competence were there. The University of Hawai’i football team traveled to Tempe, took an early lead for the first time in a month and slowly unraveled afterwards on the way to a 30-12 loss to Arizona State (3-2) on Saturday night....

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Three players to watch as Hawai’i hosts San Jose State

Three players to watch as Hawai’i hosts San Jose State

Oct 3, 2026

Three players to watch as Hawai’i hosts San Jose State

HONOLULU – Stakes are high.

Hawai’i football’s slow start to the 2026 campaign has allowed pessimism to permeate the fanbase, but there are still eight games left for the Rainbow Warriors to right the ship and earn their way into a bowl game for the second straight year.

That climb out of a 1-3 hole starts on Saturday for Timmy Chang’s squad as they host former backup QB Luke Weaver and the 2-2 San Jose State Spartans inside Clarence T.C. Ching Complex.

SJSU has presented plenty of problems over the past half decade for Hawai’i, retaining possession of the Dick Tomey Legacy trophy for the last five meetings. Timmy Chang is 0-3 against the Spartans and has seen his team’s defense allow points to SJSU in all 12 quarters that the teams have played against each other.

The Rainbow Warriors will need to figure out a counter to the kryptonite that the Spartans have been in recent years if they want to get back on track in 2026. Down WR Pofele Ashlock once again, Hawai’i will continue searching for another dynamic weapon to awaken the offense in the islands.

The defense will also be down another starter as DL Luther McCoy misses his first game of the season after suffering an injury in the first quarter at Wyoming last week.

So, who needs to make the plays for Hawai’i at home if they want to win against San Jose State for the first time since 2019? Here are three guesses on guys who could have a big impact on Saturday for the Rainbow Warriors.

TE Devon Tauaefa

One of the major problems for Hawai’i’s offense has been a lack of bigger targets for QB Micah Alejado to throw to as the outside receiving options have failed to separate and teams have keyed in more on the multitude of slot receivers employed by the UH offense.

Enter 6-foot-5, 230-pound senior tight end Devon Tauaefa. The Saint Louis School alum snagged his first touchdown of the campaign last weekend at Wyoming and has been involved in the passing attack in three of the four games for the Rainbow Warriors this season.

The score was his first since 2023, coming in an exciting 27-24 win over Colorado State to close out the season. As HSRN’s Michael Lasquero pointed out, Hawai’i has won all three games in Tauaefa’s career where he’s recorded three or more receptions.

He won’t be the most targeted Rainbow Warrior on Saturday, but Tauaefa should be heavily involved in the offensive gameplan as UH tries to improve results, especially in the redzone. In UH’s shootout against SJSU last year, the big-bodied tight end had a career-high 40 yards receiving on two catches, including a 34-yard rumble on a trick play pass to set up points for the Rainbow Warriors.

LB Jamih Otis

Otis left injured after just 10 plays against Wyoming, but the senior linebacker was nowhere to be found on the availability report ahead of Saturday’s matchup with SJSU. That’s a good sign for the Rainbow Warrior defense, who leans on Otis from both a playing and communication standpoint.

An All-Mountain West honorable mention last year, Otis has been the team’s third-best defender this season, according to PFF, and has been the best coverage linebacker on the team (min. 50 snaps) through four games of action despite coming off of a major knee injury. He also is second on the squad with 30.0 tackles (15 solo) despite missing the majority of Week 4 at Wyoming.

If he’s a full-go on Saturday, it adds a key piece back to the UH defense that will be tasked with slowing down Luke Weaver, a potent passing attack and a surprisingly solid rushing game for the Spartans. Turnovers could be paramount to Hawai’i potentially putting the losing streak to SJSU to rest and Otis has been involved in two of the three takeaways by the defense this season with an interception and a fumble recovery.

DL Ozzy Pollard

The son of former NBA player Scot Pollard, sophomore DL Ozzy Pollard has done an impressive job doing the dirty work in the trenches for the Rainbow Warriors in his first year of Division I football.

A transfer from Marian University (NAIA), Pollard has graded out as the one of UH’s best defensive linemen through four games this season. At 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, Pollard eats up space in the middle of the trenches and has been productive in the pass rush with five pressures – tied for the most among all Rainbow Warrior defenders according to PFF.

With veteran DL Luther McCoy ruled out before the game, Pollard (and the rest of the defensive line group) only see their roles growing bigger to pick up the slack. It’ll be important for the Rainbow Warriors to control the trenches and make life uncomfortable for the SJSU offense and Pollard provides a run stopper and pass rusher in one single player.

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

Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Oct 10, 2026

HONOLULU – Someone tell Joshua Walker to keep his dancing shoes handy. The University of Hawai’i women’s volleyball team continued a perfect start to conference play on Saturday night, slicing through San Jose State (6-10, 1-5 Mountain West) in...

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Oct 10, 2026

The seeds of competence were there. The University of Hawai’i football team traveled to Tempe, took an early lead for the first time in a month and slowly unraveled afterwards on the way to a 30-12 loss to Arizona State (3-2) on Saturday night....

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