After a narrow 23-21 loss to Fresno State, the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warrior football team is looking to regroup and reset as they head out on their first road trip of the season: a challenging matchup against the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

The Falcons, like other service academies, are known for their disciplined and difficult-to-defend triple-option offense, a run-heavy scheme that requires focus and preparation.

With just 14 seconds left in the fourth quarter, redshirt freshman quarterback Micah Alejado lined up in the shotgun formation on third and two at the Fresno State 10-yard line. Despite throwing three interceptions, including a costly 59-yard pick-six earlier in the fourth, Alejado and the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors were mounting one final drive in a do-or-die moment.

Off to its best start since 2019, the University of Hawai’i 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.

With 13:09 left in the second quarter, junior running back Cam Barfield finally had his moment. 

Lining up in the backfield, Barfield swung out on a checkdown route, where junior quarterback Luke Weaver found him in stride. Barfield does the rest, running 16 yards to the endzone. The Clarence T.C. Ching Sports Complex erupted as Barfield celebrated, scoring touchdown number one as a Rainbow Warrior.

In the second game of a three-game homestand, the University of Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors gear up to take on the Portland State Vikings at 6 p.m. this Saturday in the annual homecoming game at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.

Following a triumphant victory against Sam Houston State, Head Coach Timmy opened Tuesday’s practice with a fiery message: do not look over Portland State.

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.

After a 40-6 thrashing in Tucson at the hands of the University of Arizona Wildcats, the University of Hawaii football team is looking to rebound in a three-game homestead at the Clarence T.C Ching Complex, starting with the Sam Houston State Bearkats.