The University of Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warrior football team (3-9, 2-5 MWC) sent its 20 seniors off with a 31-25 win over Mountain West Conference foe UNLV (4-7, 2-5 MWC) at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on November 19. With the win, UH regained possession of the Island Showdown Trophy, one of four rivalry trophies the Rainbow Warriors play for.
Sophomore quarterback Brayden Schager led the passing game with three touchdowns, going 16-for-27 for 202 yards. Senior tight end Caleb Phillips, senior wide receiver Zion Bowens and junior wide receiver Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala each caught a touchdown pass from Schager. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Jalen Walthall led the team in receptions with five catches for 50 yards. Senior running back Dedrick Parson led the Rainbow Warrior ground game with 19 carries for 115 yards and one touchdown.
Game summary
The Rebels opened the game with a nine-play, 66-yard drive, which ended in a field goal. UH countered on its first possession going nine plays for 80 yards, ending with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Schager to Mokiao-Atimalala. A Matthew Shipley extra point gave the ‘Bows a 7-3 lead midway through the first quarter. Following a three-and-out drive from both teams, UNLV converted on a 48-yard field goal to close the gap to one near the end of the quarter.
Both teams were held scoreless until the Rebels added a touchdown with 3:17 left in the first half. The point after gave UNLV a 13-7 lead going into halftime.
The Rainbow Warriors received the second half kick and cashed in. An 11-yard touchdown pass from Schager to Phillips put an exclamation point on a 12-play, 84-yard drive to put UH back up 14-13. A third Daniel Gutierrez field goal late in the third quarter gave the Rebels a 16-13 lead, UH took the lead again on the play of the game—a 55-yard touchdown pass from Schager to Bowens. In the ensuing possession, senior linebacker Logan Taylor picked off UNLV quarterback Doug Brumfield.
UH took advantage of the turnover, going up 24-16 on a 30-yard Shipley field goal with 12:17 remaining in the game. The Rainbow Warriors got the ball back after a missed UNLV field goal, however, the Rebels defense sacked Schager and forced a fumble, which was recovered for a touchdown, closing the UH lead to 24-22. After a critical turnover on downs by UNLV with less than five minutes remaining, UH extended its lead to 31-22 on a 34-yard touchdown run by Parson. UNLV tacked on a field goal, but it wasn’t enough as the ‘Bows sealed their third win of the season, 31-25.
Up next
The Rainbow Warriors now head on the road for their final game of 2022 against San Jose State (6-4, 4-3 MWC) on November 26 at 10:30 a.m. HST.
—By Marc Arakaki
YESSUH!!!!
#BRADDAHHOOD— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) November 19, 2022
