CONVINCING VICTORY FOR THE WARRIORS 34-13 FOR THEIR HOMECOMING "IN PARADISE"
Photo credit: Hawaii Warriors Athletics
For this second half of the college football season, I had the opportunity, on behalf of Travel Fit Sports, to undertake one of the most exotic and distant trips of 2024: heading to "paradise," the Hawaiian archipelago, specifically the island of Oahu, to witness the face-off between the University of Hawaii at Manoa Warriors and the Nevada Wolfpack. Imagine yourself in the heart of the Pacific, under clear blue skies and the warmth of a tropical climate, ready to cheer alongside local fans in an atmosphere unlike any other in the world.
The University of Manoa's Facilities: A Setting Rich in History
The Warriors, who inspired generations of fans at the legendary Aloha Stadium for 45 years (from 1975 to 2020), now play at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, a 16,909-seat stadium that offers an intimate and intense atmosphere.
The former Aloha Stadium, a venue for the Pro Bowl—the NFL's equivalent of the All-Star Game—from 1980 to 2016, also hosted major concerts and iconic sports events, drawing massive crowds. Now awaiting demolition, the stadium has become a collector's item: seats from the iconic stadium are even available for purchase online for those who want to own a piece of this legend.
Above: Video of the Future Aloha Stadium
The new Aloha Stadium project is already taking shape on the horizon: an ultramodern 35,000-seat complex will be built in Halawa, surrounded by entertainment venues, shops, restaurants, hotels, and cultural spaces, creating a true hub of activity for locals and visitors alike.
In the meantime, the University of Hawaii has invested $3.3 million to upgrade its sports campus, inaugurating the Alexander Waterhouse Performance Center, equipped with 24 Samson Power Rack weight stations and a nutrition center. This state-of-the-art facility will allow the university to compete with the best Division I campuses and enhance recruitment efforts for future athletes.
A Homecoming Filled with Pride and Emotion
As for the Warriors' performance this season, they were determined to secure a homecoming victory to end their three-game losing streak, having won only two out of seven games against FCS (Division I but generally lower-level) opponents.
Several members of the 1999 team made the trip for the occasion, reliving the Warriors' glorious past, and a strong performance tonight could help rejuvenate their season.
The entrance of the Hawaii players is truly unique, beginning with a meaningful song ("Hawai'i '78") by the iconic Hawaiian artist Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, setting the tone in the introduction video.
Afterward, the team is ushered in by powerful drumming from five impressive performers, accompanied by several "Hawaiian warriors," who pave the way for the players onto the field. And as sometimes images speak louder than words, here’s the entrance video—goosebumps guaranteed from my side!
Game Recap:
The Warriors started the game with possession and took an early lead with a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Brayden Schager, completing a nine-play, 75-yard drive primarily on the ground. On the opposing side, Chubba Purdy—brother of the San Francisco 49ers quarterback—started for Nevada in the absence of regular starter Brendon Lewis. Nevada’s offense struggled to gain momentum, and after Nalu Emerson sacked Purdy, Hawaii regained possession. The Warriors extended their lead with another touchdown by Schager, making the score 14-0.
On their second drive, the Wolf Pack made some progress, but Hawaii’s defense held firm, forcing Nevada to attempt a 46-yard field goal, which the kicker missed, leaving the score unchanged. During the possession change, the Hawaiian spirit was felt in the stadium with the Paddle Cam and Hawaii Five-0 theme music, adding a refreshing touch of local surf culture!
An interception by Michael Coats Jr. briefly revived Nevada’s hopes, and they brought in local talent AJ Bianco (from St. Louis High School) as quarterback for the third drive. Despite some advancements, Hawaii’s defense stood strong, and Hawaii regained possession on their 37-yard line with only 1:20 left before halftime. A 30-yard reception by Nick Cenacle set up a field goal, which Kansei Matsuzawa converted from 27 yards, giving Hawaii a 17-0 lead at the half.
Purdy returned for Nevada and immediately connected with Marcus Bellon on a 63-yard pass, reducing the score to 17-7. Schager responded with a 3-yard touchdown run at the end of the third quarter and added another 6-yard run just 53 seconds into the fourth quarter, bringing the score to 31-7 and putting the game out of Nevada’s reach. Marcus Bellon scored his second touchdown of the game on a pass from Bianco, but the outcome was already decided.
The game ended without suspense as Hawaii maintained a comfortable lead in front of a delighted home crowd, thanks to Schager’s solid performance and strong defensive play. The Warriors secured their first conference win of the season, snapping a three-game losing streak just in time to host Fresno State next Saturday.
Schager was brilliant, finishing with 14 completions out of 25 attempts for 153 yards and one interception. However, his rushing game truly made the difference, as he ran for 120 yards and scored four touchdowns. Hawaii ended the game with 242 rushing yards, including 82 yards from Landon Sims.
For Nevada, Purdy threw for 155 yards with one interception, while his replacement, AJ Bianco, passed for 131 yards and one touchdown. Nevada’s receiver, Marcus Bellon, finished with 111 yards and two touchdowns.
This marked my fourth Hawaii game (second at home), and it was a unique experience as I’ve followed this team for years, drawn to the Polynesian culture they represent, their extraordinary geographic setting, and their distinct traditions. Covering the game as media was truly a memorable opportunity.
In my view, Hawaii deserves more recognition for its program, which consistently produces high-caliber athletes (many UH players have gone on to join the NFL and CFL). While their facilities may not rival those of higher-budget NCAA programs (though recent upgrades have partially closed the gap), the human aspect, the magic of the archipelago, and its culture make it a unique place in the football world.
For me, this game was an unforgettable experience—a dream under Oahu’s sky.
Performance and Statistics:
Hawaii Warriors:
Brayden Schager: 14/25, 153 yards, 1 interception
Rushing: 19 carries, 120 yards, 4 touchdowns
Landon Sims: 9 carries, 82 yards
Jonah Panoke: 5 receptions, 58 yards
Nick Cenacle: 3 receptions, 57 yards
Nevada Wolf Pack:
Chubba Purdy: 13/18, 155 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception
Caleb Ramseur: 9 carries, 28 yards
Marcus Bellon: 6 receptions, 111 yards, 2 touchdowns
Best Moments in Video:
Here are some scores from Week 8:
