Honolulu, HI
After a tough 0–2 start to the season, the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors finally got into the win column Saturday night, defeating the New Mexico State Aggies 29–19 at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Hawai'i came into the game looking to bounce back after losses to Stanford and UNLV to open the season.
The Warriors came out strong, taking a 16–0 lead and controlling much of the first half. Warriors Quarterback, Micah Alejado, had his best game of the young season, completing 33 of 45 passes for 346 yards. Hawai'i passing attack was led by Tama Uiliata and Audric Harris, who both went over 100 receiving yards. Uiliata finished with 10 catches for 107 yards, while Harris recorded 105 yards.
New Mexico State fought its way back into the game, scoring 13 points in the second quarter before tying the game in the third. The Aggies took advantage of a fumble from Alejado that was returned 84 yards for a touchdown, making it a completely different game heading into the fourth quarter.
Hawai'i responded when it mattered most. DeVon Rice scored twice on the ground, finishing with 59 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Warriors then added another score late in the fourth quarter when Uiliata took a direct snap and threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Frank Abreu, putting Hawaiʻi up by 10 and helping seal the victory.
The 29–19 victory gives Hawai'i its first win of the 2026 season and improves the Warriors to 1–2. Hawai'i now enters its first bye week of the season before traveling to Wyoming on September 26.
Final Score: Hawai'i 29 - New Mexico State 19
For more pictures, head over to our photo gallery
pictures taken by: Pakela Wheeler - @pakela._
