Off to its best start since 2019, the University of Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warrior football team begins Mountain West play this Saturday against long-time rival Fresno State, closing out a three-game homestand.
But this meeting may mark the end of an era. With Fresno State (3-1) set to join the PAC-12 on July 1, 2026, this could be the final matchup between the two programs for the foreseeable future. Saturday’s showdown will be the 57th all-time meeting between the Bulldogs and the Rainbow Warriors (3-1), a rivalry that began in 1938 with the inaugural Pineapple Bowl.
“What an opportunity,” head coach Timmy Chang said. “Especially the way it’s timed out. But more importantly, the history of Warrior and Bulldog football.”
Redshirt freshman quarterback Micah Alejado, who has been sidelined with injury, was a full participant in practice this week and is expected to start on Saturday against the Bulldogs.
“It’s been a long process,” Alejado said. “Now it’s just getting back stronger. Other than that, I feel great.”
Alejado also reflected on the magnitude of the rivalry and the honor of starting in what could be its final edition.
“It’s a big rivalry for the state of Hawaiʻi, it’s their last game here,” he said. “We want to win. It’s all about playing our game.”
A Storied Rivalry: Hawaiʻi vs. Fresno State
Over 56 meetings, Hawai‘i has 25 wins against Fresno State — the Rainbow Warriors’ most familiar rival. Many of those victories have come in dramatic fashion, with the series often decided by narrow margins and late-game comebacks. Here are some of the rivalry’s most memorable moments:
November 13th, 1999: Hawaiʻi 31, Fresno State 24
After being up 21-7 after a 15-yard Hawaiʻi quarterback Dan Robinson touchdown pass to Ashley Lelie with 14:13 to go, Fresno State scored twice in the final nine minutes to force overtime. Bulldogs quarterback Billy Volek, who went on to play for the Tennessee Titans, snuck in from the one-yard line to make it 21-14 with 9:12 left in the fourth quarter, and hit wide receiver Charles Smith on a 28-yard touchdown pass to the back corner of the endzone, tying the game at 21.
Fresno State and Hawaiʻi traded field goals in the first overtime, but Robinson delivered once more to receiver Craig Stutzmann to seal the victory for the Rainbow Warriors.
A winless campaign the year before, Coach June Jones orchestrated a 9-4 1999 campaign, capping it off with a win over the Bulldogs and a share of the Western Athletic Conference title at Aloha Stadium.
October 25, 2002: Hawaiʻi 31, Fresno State 21
Head Coach Timmy Chang, then a sophomore in the 2002-03 season, led a comeback down 21-9 entering the fourth quarter, where he threw a career-high 462 yards and two touchdowns to lead an epic 22-point fourth quarter comeback at Valley Children’s Stadium.
Chang threw a 58-yard strike to wide receiver Justin Colbert with 13:44 left in the fourth quarter, making the score 21-16. Following Warrior possession, Chang led a nine play 51-yard drive capped off by a 13-yard touchdown pass to Britton Komine with 2:25 left in the fourth quarter to give Hawaiʻi the lead 24-21. Running back John West delivered the dagger to Fresno State, breaking off for an 81-yard run to seal the deal for the Rainbow Warriors.
Chang followed up his performance the next year with a 353 yard, five touchdown performance, crushing the Bulldogs 55-28 at Aloha Stadium. Chang is 2-1 against the Bulldogs as a player.
November 10th, 2007: No.14 Hawaiʻi 37, Fresno State 30
During a magical 2007 season led by Hawaiʻi record-setting quarterback Colt Brennan, the Rainbow Warriors finished an undefeated 9-0 season to earn themselves a BCS bid to the Sugar Bowl against Georgia. Brennan went 28-for-29 for 396 yards and two touchdown passes before leaving in the fourth quarter after a big hit on the sideline. Brennan threw his 121st touchdown pass that game, tying a then NCAA record, throwing a five-yard pass to Davone Bess to make the record.
Fresno State tried to start a late rally after being down by three scores, but Hawaiʻi recovered an onside kick to seal the win at Aloha Stadium.
October 2nd, 2021: Hawaiʻi 27, No.18 Fresno State 21
In the first season at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex, Hawaiʻi shut down the then best passing attack in the country behind a standout performance by the Warrior defense. Safety Khoury Bethley picked off current Saints quarterback twice and forced a fumble, while the Hawaiʻi defense forced six Bulldog turnovers. In his starting debut, true freshman quarterback Brayden Schager led a 17-point fourth quarter comeback, leading Hawaiʻi to a victory. This still remains as the last ranked opponent that the Warriors have defeated.
November 9th, 2024: Hawaii 21, Fresno State 20
After trailing 20-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Rainbow Warriors scored 14 points in the final frame to upset the Bulldogs at Valley Children’s Stadium. Wide receiver Nick Cenacle hauled in two touchdown passes to seal the win, catching a three-yard touchdown pass with fifteen seconds to go to stun Fresno State in the win. This was the largest comeback by Hawaiʻi against the Bulldogs since their 2021 meeting at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex.
With conference realignment on the horizon and history on the line, Saturday’s game promises to be an emotional one for players, coaches, and fans alike.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. HST at Clarence T.C. Ching Field. Don’t miss the final chapter in one of the Mountain West’s most thrilling rivalries — Rainbow Warriors vs. Bulldogs, one last time.