After a convincing win over Utah State, Hawaii traveled to the Mountain Time Zone for the second time this season, this time against Colorado State and Timmy Chang’s mentor Jay Norvell. With former Hawaii kicking legend Jason Elam in the building, kicker Kansei Matsuzawa set a new program record and more importantly, Hawaii defeated Colorado State 31-19 to become bowl eligible.
Let’s take a look at the key moments from the victory:
-The Warriors started off as well as they possibly could, forcing the Rams
into a three-and-out on the first possession. Quarterback Micah Alejado then marched down for a 65-yard scoring drive, capped off by a 17-yard throw to wide receiver Nick Cenacle. It was Cenacle’s penalty that pushed the 2nd-and-goal to the 17-yard line, but promptly made up for it to give Hawaii a 7-0 lead.
-Special teams were an enormous factor in the first quarter. Hawaii’s defense was playing well, but a punt downed to the 1-yard line put the offense into a situation where protecting the ball was more important than scoring. A back-and-forth punting affair broke out and was broken by a 91-yard return for touchdown by the Rams Javion Kinnard. Just like that it was 7-7 despite Hawaii seemingly controlling the game.
-On the ensuing drive, Hawaii marched into Colorado State territory but Alejado threw an interception to Colorado State’s Jace Bellah, a frustrating series of events for the Warriors.
-After the defense forced the Rams to punt again, Hawaii responded offensively with a lightning bolt. A high pass that was nearly overthrown by Alejado to wide receiver Jackson Harris was hauled in and taken 75-yards to the house, stunning the homecoming crowd. Hawaii took that 14-7 lead into the halftime locker room in front of 40,416 Rams fans, although did force turnover before the break. Linebacker Jalen Smith came through with the peanut punch and defensive end Jackie Johnson III recovered the fumble.
-Hawaii came out of the halftime locker room with a purpose on offense, Alejado displaying some surprising arm talent for someone of his size. Nick Cenacle played a key role in moving the ball down the field and Jackson Harris scored again. Early in the third quarter, Hawaii found themselves in rare territory: up double digits on the mainland.
-Hawaii’s defense started off the second half strongly as well, the Rams forced to punt after Hawaii’s Luther McCoy sacked the quarterback.
-The following drive was filled with drama. On a 2nd-and-goal scramble, Micah Alejado came away limping after a Ram defender dove at his ankles. Head coach Timmy Chang took a timeout to assess the situation, but Alejado stayed in.
Two plays later, history was made. With former Hawaii legend Jason Elam in the broadcast booth to witness, kicker Kansei Matsuzawa, the Tokyo Toe, broke Elam’s record for the most consecutive field goals in-a-row with 21. A pretty cool scene to witness.
-Hawaii led 24-7 after three quarters. Colorado State scored their first offensive touchdown of the game with 11:58 left in the fourth quarter to make it 24-13 after a failed two-point attempt. Throughout the fourth quarter, Hawaii took their foot off the gas pedal and paid for it. Hawaii’s composure was tested, personal foul penalties and a long 4th-down conversion gave the Rams life through a 3-yard rushing touchdown by Tahj Bullock. Once again, the two-point conversion failed and Hawaii led 24-19 needing to respond.
-With 6:44 remaining, it was Micah Alejado and Hawaii’s running game that took over, leading the team into Colorado State territory. A 4-yard pass to Nick Cenacle left Hawaii in a 4th-and-manapua situation. Needing a yard to ice the game, running back Cam Barfield called game with a 35-yard sprint to the house after initially trucking a Rams defender.
Hawaii added some drama, but in the end Hawaii defeated Colorado State 31-19 in Ft. Collins. The defense performed very well and the offense was methodical in victory.
-Timmy Chang took over an embattled football program in 2022 that saw an exodus of talent. On opening night of that season, Vanderbilt defeated Hawaii 63-10 at Clarence T.C. Ching Complex, signaling that a dark period in Hawaii football history had begun. A lengthy rebuild. Four years later, Hawaii is 6-2 in the middle of October. A bowl berth secured and the Rainbow Warriors very much in the thick of the Mountain West race. Rejoice, Hawaii fans. Drink it in.