The combination of University of Hawaiʻi quarterback Brayden Schager throwing a career-high four touchdown passes and key defensive stops in the fourth quarter helped the Rainbow Warriors notch their first win of the season with a 31-20 victory over UAlbany on September 9.
Schager completed 23 of 40 passes for 266 yards and threw for at least three touchdowns for the third straight game. Wide receiver Steven McBride finished with seven receptions for 72 yards and two touchdowns.
Running back Jordan Johnson saw his first action of the season and led the Warriors with 76 rushing yards on 11 carries.
With the Warriors protecting a 24-20 lead going into the fourth quarter, UAlbany twice started drives in UH territory. But linebacker Isaiah Tufaga came up with a stop on fourth down at the UH 17 to thwart a threat. On the Great Danes’ next possession, linebacker Noah Kema scooped up a fumbled option pitch and returned it 41 yards to set up UH‘s final scoring drive of the game.
UH finished with 379 yards in total offense while holding UAlbany to 239 and extended its winning streak against Football Championship Subdivision opponents to 20 dating back to 2001. Safety Peter Manuma led the Warriors with eight tackles and defensive lineman Ezra Evaimalo had three of UH‘s nine tackles for loss, including two sacks.
The Warriors head on the road to face their third Power 5 conference opponent of the season when they take on No. 13 Oregon (2-0) on September 16, in Eugene, Oregon 2 p.m. HST.
Read more details about the game at HawaiiAthletics.com.
