A week after Hawaii achieved the biggest win of the coach Timmy Chang era, the Rainbow Warriors are in search of an even larger accomplishment Saturday on the mainland against Arizona at Tucson, Ariz.
Hawaii’s 23-20 season-opening win over Stanford at Honolulu last week was the first victory over a power-conference opponent in Chang’s fourth season as head coach.
A victory over Arizona would be the first road victory over a power-conference program for Chang.
Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado, who completed 27 of 39 pass attempts for 210 yards and two touchdowns, directed a game-winning two-minute drill that included a pass to running back Landon Sims for 24 yards to the Stanford 21.
Hawaii positioned itself for Kansei Matsuzawa’s game-winning field-goal attempt from 38 yards as time expired.
Alejado, hobbled with a right ankle sprain most of the second half, is expected to play against Arizona, according to Chang.
“It wasn’t really a need to talk my way back in; that’s just not something that’s going to take me out of the game,” Alejado said about the sprain, which occurred in the third quarter. “I told the team before we came out, I would die for them, and I know they would die for me. I truly live by that.”
Arizona will begin its second season under coach Brent Brennan after experiencing a turbulent 4-8 campaign in 2024 despite the return of a majority of starters. Included in that group were quarterback Noah Fifita and receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
Multiple publications, including USA Today, CBS Sports and On3, have placed Brennan on their hot seat rankings for 2025.
“At this time in the world, the outside noise has never been louder,” Brennan said. “How do we help our players stay out of that and focus on what you’re trying to do? For us, it’s really simple. How hard do you play? What’s your body language? What’s your attitude? Are you a good teammate?”
Brennan replaced offensive coordinator Dino Babers with Marshall offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Seth Doege, who has developed a healthy relationship with Fifita while installing elements of the spread Air Raid offense.
Defensive coordinator Duane Akina left for Texas to become a defensive assistant, and Brennan elevated Danny Gonzales from linebackers coach and special teams coordinator to fill Akina’s spot.
Arizona also has 61 newcomers, 29 of them from the transfer portal.
