UH falls to New Mexico 21-10 on Homecoming
By WAA Staff 10/17/26
Hawai‘i Falls to New Mexico 21-10 After Second-Half Collapse on Homecoming Night
HONOLULU, Hawai‘i — The University of Hawai‘i football team appeared poised for a major upset on Homecoming night, but a second-half comeback by New Mexico handed the Rainbow Warriors a disappointing 21-10 loss Saturday evening at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.
Hawai‘i entered halftime with a 10-0 advantage behind a strong defensive performance that kept the Lobos off the scoreboard. However, New Mexico responded with 21 unanswered points in the second half to secure the victory.
The Rainbow Warriors opened the scoring with a 27-yard field goal from Sean Olvera-Harle in the first quarter. Quarterback Micah Alejado later connected with freshman Titan Lacaden for a one-yard touchdown with six seconds remaining before halftime, giving Hawai‘i a 10-point lead.
Defensively, Hawai‘i delivered one of its better performances of the season. Defensive back Jeremiah Hughes recorded two interceptions, while the Warriors forced three turnovers overall.
Despite the strong start, the momentum shifted after halftime.
New Mexico cut the deficit to 10-7 in the third quarter before taking its first lead on a 21-yard touchdown run by quarterback Toa Fa‘avae with 6:57 remaining in the fourth.
One of the game’s biggest turning points came when Hawai‘i fumbled near the New Mexico goal line, missing an opportunity to extend its lead. The Lobos capitalized with an 80-yard touchdown drive.
New Mexico running back Scottre Humphrey later broke free for a 49-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 21-10 and putting the game out of reach.
Alejado finished 23-of-40 passing for 250 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Warriors struggled to establish their rushing attack, managing just 48 yards on the ground.
New Mexico finished with 337 total yards, including 243 rushing yards, while Hawai‘i totaled 298 yards of offense.
The loss drops Hawai‘i to 1-6 overall and 0-4 in Mountain West Conference play, continuing a frustrating season for head coach Timmy Chang and the Rainbow Warriors.
Despite showing signs of improvement defensively, costly turnovers and missed offensive opportunities once again proved difficult to overcome.
Hawai‘i will now turn its attention to Northern Illinois, traveling to DeKalb to face the Huskies on Saturday, October 24, as the Rainbow Warriors search for their first conference victory of the season.
📸: New Mexico Football
Hawai‘i Falls on the road to Arizona State 30-12
By WAA Staff
Hawai‘i Falls to Arizona State 30-12 in Nonconference Road Matchup
Rainbow Warriors struggle offensively as Sun Devils pull away in Tempe
TEMPE, Ariz. — The University of Hawai‘i football team suffered another setback Saturday night, falling 30-12 to Arizona State at Mountain America Stadium in a nonconference matchup.
The Rainbow Warriors entered the contest looking to turn their season around after consecutive Mountain West losses to Wyoming and San José State. Instead, Hawai‘i struggled to find consistency offensively against a Sun Devils team looking to rebound from its own disappointing loss to Baylor. Hawai‘i drops to 1-5 overall, extending its losing streak to three games.
Arizona State Takes Control Early
Arizona State established momentum in the opening half, using its ground attack and timely offensive plays to build a 17-6 halftime advantage. The Rainbow Warriors managed to put points on the board with two field goals but struggled to finish drives in the end zone.
Arizona State’s offense capitalized on opportunities, including a touchdown from running back Cardae Mack, helping the Sun Devils establish control before halftime.
The game also featured a weather delay after lightning was detected in the Tempe area during halftime, forcing fans to temporarily leave the stadium seating areas.
Hawai‘i Offense Struggles to Find Rhythm
Quarterback Micah Alejado and the Rainbow Warriors’ offense faced another challenging night against a Power Four opponent.
Hawai‘i moved the football at times but struggled to convert opportunities into touchdowns. The inability to consistently finish drives continued to be a major obstacle for an offense that entered the game searching for answers.
Arizona State extended its advantage to 24-6 in the third quarter, putting additional pressure on the Rainbow Warriors to mount a comeback.
Hawai‘i finally reached the end zone in the fourth quarter when Alejado connected with wide receiver Audric Harris for a 32-yard touchdown.
The late score provided a bright spot for the Rainbow Warriors, but Arizona State ultimately secured the 30-12 victory.
Rainbow Warriors Searching for Answers
Saturday’s loss adds to a difficult stretch for a Hawai‘i team that entered the 2026 season with high expectations.
For head coach Timmy Chang and his staff, improving offensive execution, limiting costly mistakes and finding ways to sustain drives will be critical as the team returns to conference competition. Despite the difficult start, the Rainbow Warriors still have opportunities to turn their season around during the remainder of their Mountain West schedule.
What’s Next for Hawai‘i?
The Rainbow Warriors return home Saturday, October 17, to face New Mexico in their Homecoming matchup at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.
📸:ASU Football
Hawai‘i Rally Falls Short Against San José State, 20-16
By WAa Staff 10/3/26
HONOLULU — The University of Hawai‘i football team mounted a strong second-half comeback Saturday night, but the Rainbow Warriors ultimately came up short in a 20-16 loss to San José State at Clarence T.C. Ching Complex.
The loss dropped Hawai‘i to 1-4 overall and 0-3 in Mountain West play, while San José State improved to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in conference action. The Spartans also retained the Dick Tomey Legacy Trophy and extended their winning streak over Hawai‘i to six games.
Hawai‘i struggled to generate points early and entered halftime trailing 14-0 after San José State quarterback Luke Weaver threw a pair of second-quarter touchdown passes.
The Rainbow Warriors came alive after the break.
Kicker Sean Olvera-Harle put Hawai‘i on the board with field goals of 44 and 24 yards before quarterback Micah Alejado connected with Devin Alves for a 58-yard touchdown, cutting the Spartans’ advantage to 14-13 late in the third quarter.
After San José State added a field goal, Olvera-Harle drilled another 44-yarder early in the fourth quarter to bring Hawai‘i within one at 17-16.
The Rainbow Warrior defense kept the game within reach, but the Spartans put together a critical late drive and added a 30-yard field goal with 1:15 remaining to stretch their lead to four.
Hawai‘i had one final opportunity.
Alejado helped move the Warriors from their own 29-yard line into San José State territory in the final minute. UH eventually reached the Spartan 37, but Alejado’s pass toward the end zone on fourth down with two seconds remaining was broken up, ending Hawai‘i’s comeback attempt.
Despite the loss, Hawai‘i produced a season-high 438 yards of total offense, outgaining San José State, which finished with 324. Alejado completed 23 of 35 passes for 341 yards and one touchdown, though two interceptions proved costly. He also led Hawai‘i with 36 rushing yards.
Alves provided the biggest spark in the passing game, finishing with three receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown, including the 58-yard score. Hawai‘i’s defense limited the Spartans to just 78 rushing yards and 20 total points.
Penalties and missed opportunities hurt the Warriors throughout the night. Hawai‘i was flagged 12 times for 85 yards, went just 4-of-13 on third down and failed on both of its fourth-down attempts. San José State, meanwhile, converted all four of its trips into the red zone into points.
For Hawai‘i, the loss continues a difficult opening stretch to the 2026 season. The Warriors have now dropped three straight Mountain West games and six consecutive meetings with San José State.
Hawai‘i will look to regroup on the road when it travels to face Arizona State on Saturday, October 10.
Hawai‘i Falls to Wyoming 27-10, Loses Paniolo Trophy
By WAA Staff 9/26/26
Hawai‘i Falls to Wyoming 27-10, Loses Paniolo Trophy in Laramie
LARAMIE, Wyo. — The University of Hawai‘i football team struggled to find its offensive rhythm Saturday, falling to Wyoming 27-10 at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium and surrendering the Paniolo Trophy back to the Cowboys.
The loss dropped the Rainbow Warriors to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in Mountain West play, while Wyoming improved to 2-2 and 1-0 in conference action.
Hawai‘i entered the matchup coming off a bye week and a 29-19 victory over New Mexico State, but the Warriors were unable to carry that momentum into Laramie.
Both teams opened the game with field goals. Wyoming’s Erik Sandvik connected from 28 yards before Hawai‘i’s Sean Olvera-Harle answered with a 28-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3.
Wyoming began to take control in the second quarter. Sandvik’s second field goal gave the Cowboys a 6-3 advantage before Markell Holman scored on a one-yard touchdown run late in the half, sending Hawai‘i into the locker room trailing 13-3. The Warriors managed just 90 yards of offense in the opening half.
Hawai‘i appeared poised to change the momentum with its opening possession of the third quarter.
Quarterback Micah Alejado completed 10 consecutive passes as the Warriors put together a 16-play drive that consumed more than nine minutes. Hawai‘i advanced inside the Wyoming 5-yard line but came away empty after failing to score on four consecutive plays near the goal line.
The missed opportunity proved costly.
Wyoming responded with a 99-yard scoring drive, capped by Holman’s 18-yard touchdown run just eight seconds into the fourth quarter. The score pushed the Cowboys’ advantage to 20-3.
Hawai‘i finally found the end zone on its next possession. Alejado connected with Devon Tauaefa for a 20-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 20-10 with 12:11 remaining.
The Warriors had an opportunity to make it a one-score game later in the fourth quarter, but Olvera-Harle’s 54-yard field-goal attempt was unsuccessful. Wyoming then put the game away when Samuel Harris broke free for an 18-yard touchdown with under two minutes remaining, producing the final 27-10 margin.
Alejado finished 28-of-44 for 226 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. DeVon Rice provided a spark on the ground with 75 yards on 11 carries, while Tama Uiliata led Hawai‘i’s receivers with six catches for 39 yards.
Wyoming’s rushing attack ultimately proved to be the difference. The Cowboys finished with 183 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Holman rushed for 87 yards and two scores, while Harris added 94 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Tyler Hughes completed 17-of-23 passes for 204 yards as Wyoming finished with 387 total yards.
Hawai‘i totaled 328 yards but struggled to finish drives, converting only two of four red-zone opportunities. Wyoming, meanwhile, scored on all five of its trips into the red zone. Neither team committed a turnover.
Defensively, linebacker Wynden Ho‘ohuli led the Rainbow Warriors with a career-high 10 tackles while adding a sack and forced fumble.
Hawai‘i will now return home looking to get back on track when it hosts San José State on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex. Another rivalry trophy will be at stake, with the Spartans currently holding the Dick Tomey Legacy Trophy.
📸:University of Wyoming Football
Hawai‘i Earns First Win of 2026 With 29-19 Victory Over NMSU
By WAA Staff 9/12/2026
Hawai‘i Earns First Win of 2026 With 29-19 Victory Over New Mexico State
HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors are officially in the win column. Hawai‘i defeated New Mexico State 29-19 Saturday night at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, improving to 1-2 on the season and giving the Rainbow Warriors a much-needed victory after opening the year with losses to Stanford and UNLV.
The Rainbow Warriors jumped out to a 16-0 advantage behind a fast start from the offense. Running back DeVon Rice accounted for both early touchdowns, scoring on runs of seven and 11 yards, while kicker Sean Olvera-Harle connected from 32 yards.
New Mexico State responded in the second quarter. James Jones scored on a two-yard run before quarterback Trey Hedden connected with TK King for a 33-yard touchdown, cutting Hawai‘i’s advantage to three. Olvera-Harle answered with a career-long 42-yard field goal just before halftime to send the Warriors into the locker room leading 19-13.
The momentum swung dramatically early in the third quarter. After a 69-yard kickoff return by Titan Lacaden put Hawai‘i in scoring position, quarterback Micah Alejado was hit while scrambling and fumbled. New Mexico State’s De’Marcus Peters recovered the ball and returned it 84 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 19.
Hawai‘i didn’t fold.
Alejado remained in the game and immediately helped engineer an 11-play drive that ended with Olvera-Harle’s 33-yard field goal, putting UH back ahead 22-19. The Rainbow Warrior defense kept the Aggies off the scoreboard for the remainder of the night.
Hawai‘i finally delivered the knockout blow midway through the fourth quarter.
Facing fourth-and-four from the New Mexico State seven-yard line, UH reached into its bag of tricks. Wide receiver Tama Uiliata took the snap, rolled right and found tight end Frank Abreu for a seven-yard touchdown. The fourth-down conversion extended Hawai‘i’s lead to 29-19 with 5:41 remaining.
Linebacker Jamih Otis then put the finishing touches on the victory with an interception with 3:58 remaining. Otis was at the center of a strong night for the Hawai‘i defense, also recovering a first-quarter fumble and tying Kona Moore for the team lead with six tackles. UH forced three turnovers after entering the game without a takeaway through its first two contests.
Alejado delivered his best statistical passing performance of the young season, completing 33 of 45 attempts for 346 yards. Uiliata had a career night with 10 catches for 107 yards in addition to throwing the fourth-quarter touchdown. Audric Harris added a career-high 105 yards on four receptions, while Kainoa “Kaikai” Carvalho finished with nine catches for a career-high 82 yards.
Hawai‘i finished with 420 yards of total offense, including 353 through the air. New Mexico State totaled 380 yards but couldn’t overcome the turnover battle, with Hawai‘i collecting two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
The win also continued Hawai‘i’s dominance over New Mexico State in Honolulu. The Rainbow Warriors are now 12-1 all-time against the Aggies and a perfect 8-0 against them at home.
After finally breaking through for its first victory, Hawai‘i will get a week off before returning to Mountain West action. The Rainbow Warriors travel to Laramie to face Wyoming on Saturday, Sept. 26, with kickoff scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Hawai‘i time on The CW.
Hawai‘i Falls to UNLV 21-6 in Mountain West Opener
By WAA Staff 9/5/2026
Hawai‘i Falls to UNLV 21-6 in Mountain West Opener
HONOLULU — The University of Hawai‘i football team struggled to finish drives in its Mountain West opener, falling to UNLV 21-6 on September 5 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.
The loss dropped the Rainbow Warriors to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in Mountain West play, while UNLV improved to 1-1 and 1-0 in conference action. The Rebels also retained the Island Showdown Trophy for the fourth consecutive meeting.
UNLV Controls the First Half
Both defenses dictated the early stages of the game, but UNLV struck first when quarterback Jackson Arnold capped an 80-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown run.
Hawai‘i responded early in the second quarter. Quarterback Micah Alejado connected with Kaikai Carvalho for 26 yards during an 11-play drive before the Warriors settled for a 39-yard field goal from Sean Olvera-Harle, cutting UNLV’s lead to 7-3.
The Rebels extended their advantage late in the half. A 44-yard completion helped move UNLV deep into Hawai‘i territory before Arnold scored his second rushing touchdown, this time from two yards out, giving the Rebels a 14-3 halftime lead.
Hawai‘i Moves the Ball, But Can’t Find the End Zone
The Rainbow Warriors found more offensive rhythm after halftime and controlled possession for extended stretches. Hawai‘i ultimately held the ball for more than 32 minutes and ran 76 offensive plays, but repeatedly came away without touchdowns.
One of Hawai‘i’s best opportunities came late in the third quarter.
With UH facing first-and-goal, Alejado was forced to leave the game after being injured. Backup quarterback Bjorn Jurgensen entered and appeared to connect with Audric Harris for a 15-yard touchdown, but the score was overturned following review.
Olvera-Harle instead converted a 33-yard field goal, bringing Hawai‘i within 14-6 with 1:32 remaining in the third quarter.
The Warriors threatened again early in the fourth quarter, driving inside the UNLV 10. But the Rebels stopped Hawai‘i on fourth down, ending another promising possession without points.
That inability to finish drives ultimately proved costly.
Rebels Put It Away
Hawai‘i’s defense kept the game within reach for most of the night, but UNLV delivered the decisive blow late in the fourth quarter.
Running back Jai’Den Thomas broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run, extending the Rebels’ lead to 21-6 with less than five minutes remaining.
Thomas finished with 143 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, while Arnold added 89 rushing yards and two touchdowns. UNLV accumulated 248 rushing yards and 364 total yards.
Hawai‘i finished with 294 yards of offense, including 185 in the second half. Alejado completed 17 of 41 passes for 176 yards with one interception, while DeVon Rice led the Warriors on the ground with 73 yards on 15 carries and added 27 receiving yards.
Defense Keeps Warriors Alive
Despite the loss, Hawai‘i’s defense gave the offense opportunities to get back into the game.
Linebacker Jamih Otis tied his career high with 12 tackles, while safety Kona Moore recorded 10. UH held UNLV scoreless throughout the third quarter and remained within one possession until Thomas’ late touchdown.
The biggest concern was Hawai‘i’s inability to turn sustained drives into touchdowns. UH reached UNLV territory multiple times but finished with only two field goals, marking the first time the Rainbow Warriors failed to score a touchdown at home since 2023.
UNLV’s 21-6 victory marked its fourth consecutive win over Hawai‘i and gave the Rebels an early Mountain West conference victory.
Up next for the ‘Bows: A non conference home game against the Aggies of New Mexico State(1-1).
UH rally falls short to Stanford 37-27
By WAA Staff
STANFORD, Calif. — Hawai‘i nearly pulled off a remarkable comeback in its 2026 season opener, erasing a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit and briefly taking the lead before Stanford answered late to hand the Rainbow Warriors a 37-27 loss Saturday afternoon at Stanford Stadium.
Trailing 23-7 entering the final quarter, the Rainbow Warriors scored 20 unanswered points to surge ahead 27-23 with just over four minutes remaining. But Stanford responded with a late touchdown before adding a defensive score in the closing minutes to escape with the win. Hawai‘i opens the season at 0-1, while Stanford improves to 1-0.
Alejado Ignites Fourth-Quarter Comeback
Sophomore quarterback Micah Alejado led Hawai‘i’s furious rally, completing 30 of 50 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Alejado spread the ball around throughout the afternoon, with 12 different Rainbow Warriors recording at least one reception.
Stanford quarterback Davis Warren finished 22-of-34 for 310 yards and a touchdown, while running back Micah Ford powered the Cardinal rushing attack with 99 yards and three touchdowns.
Hawai‘i struggled to generate offense early and entered halftime trailing 14-7.
Ford opened the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run on Stanford’s second possession. The Rainbow Warriors answered early in the second quarter when Kansas State transfer DeVon Rice scored Hawai‘i’s first touchdown of the 2026 season on a 3-yard jet sweep.
Stanford quickly reclaimed the lead when Warren connected with Atticus Joseph for a 6-yard touchdown, making it 14-7.
Despite being outgained 257-81 in the opening half, the Hawai‘i defense came up with a pair of late stops to keep the Rainbow Warriors within one score at halftime.
Stanford Builds a 16-Point Advantage
Things got more difficult for Hawai‘i early in the second half.
Charlie Eckhardt blocked a UH punt that rolled out of bounds for a safety, extending Stanford’s advantage to 16-7. Following the Hawai‘i free kick, the Cardinal capitalized on the extra possession, with Ford scoring his second 2-yard touchdown of the afternoon. Suddenly, Hawai‘i faced a 23-7 deficit.
After five consecutive three-and-outs, however, the Rainbow Warrior offense finally found its rhythm.
UH put together a 16-play, 80-yard drive that consumed more than five minutes. Facing fourth-and-1 from the Stanford 5-yard line, sophomore running back Sitane Mikaele broke through for his first career touchdown.
Tama Uiliata followed with a successful two-point conversion, cutting Stanford’s lead to 23-15.The comeback was on.
Rainbow Warriors Take the Lead
Hawai‘i’s defense quickly forced a three-and-out, giving Alejado another opportunity.This time, the Rainbow Warriors needed just five plays to cover 63 yards. Alejado connected with Uiliata for an 11-yard touchdown, pulling Hawai‘i within two at 23-21 with 9:39 remaining after an unsuccessful two-point attempt.Uiliata turned in a career performance, leading Hawai‘i with eight receptions for 62 yards while hauling in the first touchdown catch of his collegiate career.
Another UH defensive stand gave the Rainbow Warriors possession with a chance to complete the comeback.Micah Alejado delivered.The sophomore engineered a nine-play, 90-yard drive. Facing second-and-13 from the Stanford 29-yard line, Alejado found Rice, who raced into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown.The score completed a run of 20 unanswered Hawai‘i points and gave the Rainbow Warriors their first lead of the afternoon, 27-23, with 4:06 remaining.Rice made an immediate impact in his Rainbow Warrior debut, finding the end zone both as a runner and receiver.
Stanford Answers Late
Hawai‘i’s lead wouldn’t last. Warren responded by directing Stanford on a seven-play, 62-yard drive. Ford finished it with his third 2-yard touchdown run of the game, putting the Cardinal back in front 30-27 with 1:41 remaining.The Rainbow Warriors still had time for one final drive, but their comeback hopes ended when Stanford’s Tevarua Tafiti recovered a fumble and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown with 1:12 left.
The defensive score provided the final points in Stanford’s 37-27 victory.
Defense Delivers Career Performances
Despite the loss, several Rainbow Warriors produced standout performances defensively.
Junior safety Kona Moore recorded a career-high 14 tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss. Senior safety Matagi Thompson also established a career high with eight tackles.For Hawai‘i, the loss will sting after coming so close to completing a dramatic road comeback. But the fourth-quarter response provided a glimpse of the explosiveness the Rainbow Warriors are capable of bringing into the rest of the season.
Up next: UNLV
The Rainbow Warriors return to Honolulu for their 2026 home opener and an early Mountain West showdown against UNLV on Saturday, Sept. 5.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at the Ching Complex and will be shown on the CW Network.
Hawaii Football
2026 Hawai’i Football
2027 HS Commits
RB - Carvell “Butter” Wafer Jr - Buchanan HS(CA)
EDGE - Davian Whitener - Desert Mountain HS(AZ)
DB - Khalil Abdullah - Mater Academy- E. Las Vegas
WR - Shaison Kupuka’a - Campbell HS
OL - Asofa Lauifi - Cathedral Catholic HS(CA)
QB - Jaden Jefferson - Corona Centennial HS(CA)