As the sun sets over Diamond Head, junior quarterback Luke Weaver lines up in the shotgun at the Sam Houston one-yard line. On the snap, Weaver rolls out and finds a wide-open senior running back, Landon Sims, for a one-yard touchdown pass, making the score 7-0.
Weaver opened the drive with a 47-yard bomb to junior wide receiver Pofele Ashlock, setting the tone for his big night. The Modesto Junior College transfer finished going 27-for-43 with 294 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, securing his first win as starting quarterback as Hawaiʻi defeated Sam Houston State 37-20.
“I had some butterflies,” Weaver said. “Ever since I was in youth football, I have been a little anxious before the game. Once I caught the first snap, it’s all good.”
Weaver had family in attendance, with his mother and sister flying down from Manteca, California to support him in his first start.
“I was very blessed to be able to have them come to the game today,” Weaver said. “I got the news that I might be able to get in the game this week, so they booked flights right away to try to watch.”
On 3rd and 4 with 13:41 left in the fourth quarter, Weaver found Ashlock on the flat route, strolling in for a six-yard touchdown, making the score 27-13.
“He’s a dog,” Weaver said. “Five’s gonna score a touchdown, it’s as simple as that.”
The duo connected once more with 1:47 remaining in the fourth quarter, linking up for a 15-yard dime to the back of the endzone, sealing the win at 37-20.
It wasn’t just the offense that was making plays. The Warrior defense (2-1) stepped up in a big way in Weaver’s first start.
“I thought they played Hawaiʻi Warriors Football. I’m very proud of them,” Head Coach Timmy Chang said.
With 5:45 left in the second quarter, senior safety Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen tipped a pass over the middle from Bearkats quarterback Mabrey Mettauer, deflecting into the outstretched hands of graduate linebacker Giovani Iovino. Iovino returned the interception 41 yards to the endzone, making the score 14-3.
“I knew I just had to run as fast as I could,” Iovino said. “The endzone was an awesome experience.”
The University of San Diego transfer hadn’t scored a touchdown since his pee-wee football days.
“I haven’t had a ball in my hands like that, I got excited,” Iovino said.
It was the first defensive touchdown for the Rainbow Warriors since September 17th, 2022, where linebacker Penei Pavihi took a pick for a touchdown against Duquesne.
The Hawaiʻi defense limited Sam Houston State (0-3) to 248 total yards, with 159 of those yards in the air, and 89 on the ground. Both were season lows for the Bearkats. The Rainbow Warriors contained Sam Houston State to just six points in the first half and held the Bearkats to just 2-for-11 on third down, and only 4.1 yards per play.
Hawaiʻi did not allow a touchdown until 3:18 left in the third quarter, where Sam Houston State senior defensive back Emon Allen intercepted Weaver for a 66-yard pick six.
“We were all flying around, we were communicating,” Iovino said. “Every time we were off the field, we were saying ‘let’s go, next drive.’”
Even special teams got in on the action, with senior kicker Kansei Matsuzawa going a perfect 3-for-3 hitting a career-long 43-yard field goal with 10:13 left in the third quarter, making the score 20-6.
“Kansei is starting to be really consistent with what he’s doing,” Chang said. “For him, it’s all about mindset and how he’s operating and working.”
Matsuzawa is still perfect on the year, going 8-for-8 in three weeks for the Rainbow Warriors.
Hawaiʻi continues its homestead, facing the Portland State Vikings (0-3) at 6 p.m. on September 13th at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex.