The University of Hawaiʻi football team dropped its season opener and the start of the Timmy Chang “Braddahhood” era to Southeastern Conference member Vanderbilt, 63-10, in front of a sold out Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on August 27.
The Rainbow Warriors were led by senior running back Dedrick Parson with 13 rushes for 82 yards and UH’s lone touchdown. Junior wide receiver Jonah Panoke led the Rainbow Warrior receiving corps with seven receptions for 101 yards. Sophomore Brayden Schager started at quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors, going 13-for-25 with 111 passing yards in the first half, before being replaced by junior Joey Yellen to start the second half. Yellen finished 10-for-20 with 89 passing yards. Schager returned in the fourth quarter going 5-for-10 with 50 passing yards.
On the defensive side, defensive backs Virdel Edwards and Leonard Lee led the way with six tackles.
“This first game, I know these guys were excited to play,” Chang said. “Their intentions were in the right place. They played pretty good coming out of the gate and through time things started to happen and the result is what it is. For me, it’s back to the drawing board. It’s getting those guys in there, grading themselves really hard. It’s a self evaluation of us as coaches, and knowing what we have and what we can do and cannot do, and continue to get better because this next week is coming up quick.”
UH came out firing on its opening possession, going 75 yards on eight plays, capped off by a 37-yard rushing touchdown by Parson. The Rainbow Warriors would add a 40-yard field goal into the setting sun by junior placekicker Matthew Shipley to close the Vanderbilt lead at 14-10 midway through the second quarter. However, UH would be held scoreless the remainder of the game.
Vanderbilt dominated on both sides of the ball, racking up 601 total yards and seven touchdowns on offense, while the defense forced two Rainbow Warrior fumbles that were both recovered for Vanderbilt touchdowns. UH finished the game with 358 total yards and 20 first downs.
Next up for the Rainbow Warriors is a home matchup against Western Kentucky out of Conference USA. The Hilltoppers defeated Austin Peay on August 27, 38-27. Kickoff at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex is set for 6 p.m. on September 3.
For more, visit the UH Mānoa Athletics website.
—By Marc Arakaki
