The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa football team lost its third straight game—and fourth straight in conference—with a 27-13 loss to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) on November 13, at Allegiant Stadium. The Rainbow Warriors fell to 4-7 overall and 1-5 in the Mountain West.
UNLV’s Charles Williams rushed for a career-high 266 yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries and the Rebels scored 13 unanswered points bridging the second and third quarters to gain their first win over UH since 2017. With the win, the Rebels (2-8, 2-4) regained possession of the Island Showdown Trophy.
Early TD only offensive spark
UH struck early when Chevan Cordeiro found Nick Mardner for a 79-yard bomb on UH’s first play from scrimmage. It marked the third time this year that the Warrior offense scored on the game’s very first play as UH took a quick 7-0 lead.
But the UH offense struggled the rest of the way, managing a season-low 240 yards and 10 first downs for the game. The Warriors also went just 2-of-14 on third down conversions.
The UH defense was stellar early and forced three turnovers in the first-quarter alone, including two in UNLV territory. But UH was only able to net three points off those turnovers. The teams eventually went into the locker room knotted up 10-10.
UNLV took the opening possession of the second half 88 yards to take its first lead of the game. It was a lead they would not relinquish.
The Rainbow Warriors play their final home game of the season when they host Colorado State on November 20. Kickoff is 6 p.m. at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.
