For the first time since November 4, 2023, the University of Hawai’i Rainbow Warrior football team has won an away game.
In a bounce-back performance, redshirt freshman quarterback Micah Alejado and the Hawai’i offense lit up the scoreboard, racking up 535 total yards in a thrilling 44-35 shootout victory over the Air Force Falcons.
Alejado, shaking off a tough outing last week in which he threw three interceptions, delivered a masterclass through the air. He finished 35-of-47 for 457 yards and three touchdowns, slicing apart a young Falcons secondary all day.
With 2:44 remaining in a tight third quarter and the Rainbow Warriors leading 17-14, senior running back Landon Sims muscled in from the 1-yard line for his first rushing touchdown of the season, and the team’s first on the ground, pushing the lead to 24-14.
Just moments later, the Hawai’i defense stepped up. Falcons (1-3, 0-3 Mountain West Conference) sophomore quarterback Liam Szarka, under heavy pressure from grad defensive lineman Luther McCoy, threw up a desperation pass that was picked off by junior defensive back Matagi Thompson, who returned it 14 yards with 1:35 left in the third. This was Thompson’s first interception with the Rainbow Warriors.
Momentum carried into the fourth as Hawai’i struck quickly. Sophomore Cam Barfield sprinted 27 yards for the team’s second rushing touchdown of the year, extending the lead to 31-14.
But, Air Force didn’t back down. Szarka responded with a 73-yard bomb to senior wide receiver Cade Harris, cutting the deficit to 31-21 with 14:04 to go.
After a missed opportunity in the red zone, Hawai’i turned to reliable senior kicker Kansei “The Tokyo Toe” Matsuzawa, who drilled a 39-yard field goal to stay perfect on the year (15-for-15), making it 34-21.
Air Force came roaring back again, as junior fullback Kemper Hodges punched in a touchdown, narrowing the gap to just six points.
Then Alejado put the game on ice, or so it seemed. He connected with sophomore wide receiver Jackson Harris on a 74-yard strike to extend the lead to 41-28 with 5:13 remaining. Harris ended a breakout performance with seven receptions, 144 yards, and two touchdowns.
Still, the fireworks weren’t over.
Szarka hit senior wideout Quin Smith for a 34-yard score just 38 seconds later, pulling the Falcons within six once more at 41-35.
But Hawai’i slammed the door shut with one final drive, capped off by another clutch kick from Matsuzawa, this time from 25 yards out to seal the win, 44-35, with just 34 seconds left.
The Rainbow Warriors (4-2, 1-1 MWC) now head into their bye week riding high before returning to action on October 11th against Utah State (3-2, 1-0 MWC) at 6 p.m. at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex.