Honolulu, HI
Hawai'i home opener didn’t go the way the Rainbow Warriors wanted. In front of a sold out crowd at home, Hawai'i fell to UNLV, 21-6, Saturday afternoon in the Mountain West opener. The loss drops the Rainbow Warriors to 0-2 on the season after also losing to Stanford on the road the week before, while UNLV picked up its first win and held onto the Island Showdown Trophy for the fourth straight meeting.
The Rebels came out and set the tone early, leaning heavily on the run game and quarterback Jackson Arnold. Arnold rushed for two of the rebels touchdown before Hawai'i got themselves on the board. Rainbow warrior Sean Olvera-Harle connected on a 39 yard field goal to cut the lead to 14-3 heading into halftime.
Hawai'i came out of the locker room with a different energy after a difficult start. The Rainbow Warriors controlled much of the second half and moved the ball consistently. The biggest turning point came early in the fourth quarter when Hawai'i put together a long drive and moved the ball down to the rebels 10 yard line. the Rebels defense came up with a fourth down stop to take the ball back even with the Warriors still within one possession. Things would look bad for the warriors when UNLV, Jai'den Thomas, found himself in the endzone after a 50 yard rushing touchdown.
Hawai'i had one final opportunity late in the fourth, but Alejado was intercepted with just over three minutes remaining. UNLV took over and was able to run out the clock, closing out the game and handing Hawai'i its fourth straight loss to the Rebels in the Island Showdown. The loss also marked Hawai'i first time being held without a touchdown at home since 2023.
a tough start for the Rainbow Warriors, as they fall to 0-2. Hawai'i will get another chance at home next Saturday when New Mexico State comes to the Ching Complex. After two close games to open the year, the Warriors will be looking to put together a full four quarters and finally get that first win of the season.
Final Score: UNLV 21 - Hawai'i 6
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Pictures taken by: Pakela Wheeler - @pakela._
