ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ kicks off the second season of the Brent Brennan era against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors — aka the Dick Tomey Bowl. Here's a look atÌýstarting lineups, key matchups and a prediction from Star reporter Justin Spears.Ìý
Hawaii (1-0) at ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ (0-0)
When:Ìý7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where:ÌýÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Stadium
TV:ÌýTNT/HBO Max
Radio:Ìý1290-AM, 107.5-FM
Hawaii head coach Timmy Chang, front right, wears a shirt showing his team’s Rainbow Warriors mascot before a game against San Diego State on Oct. 14, 2023, in Honolulu.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
2024 record:Ìý5-7 (3-4 Mountain West)
WHEN HAWAII IS ON OFFENSE (PROJECTED):Ìý
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[Pos. | No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Yr.]
WR | 9 | Jackson Harris | 6-3 | 205 | So.
TE | 87 | Devon Tauaefa | 6-5 | 215 | Jr.
LT | 52 | Dean Briski | 6-5 | 300 | Jr.
LG | 58 | Zhen Sotelo | 6-3 | 310 | Sr.
C | 57 | Ethan Spencer | 6-2 | 295 | Jr.
RG | 59 | Kuao Peihopa | 6-3 | 290 | Sr.
RT | 70 | James Milovale | 6-6 | 320 | Sr.
WR | 3 | Nick Cenacle | 6-2 | 200 | Sr.
WR | 5 | Pofele Ashlock | 6-2 | 194 | So.
QB | 12 | Micah Alejado | 5-10 | 180 | Fr.
RB | 30 | Landon Sims | 6-2 | 220 | Sr.
WHEN HAWAII IS ON DEFENSE (PROJECTED):
[Pos. | No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Yr.]
DE | 51 | Lesterlaisene Lagafuaina | 6-4 | 240 | So.
NT | 98 | Carsen Stocklinski | 6-3 | 295 | Sr.
DT | 79 | De'Jon Benton | 6-2 | 270 | Grad.
DE | 5 | Tariq Jones | 6-2 | 245 | Sr.
LB | 11 | Jamih Otis | 5-11 | 220 | Jr.
LB | 3 | Jalen Smith | 6-0 | 220 | Sr.
CB | 14 | Jaheim Wilson-Jones | 5-11 | 175 | Sr.
NB | 4 | Elijah Palmer | 5-8 | 180 | Jr.
SS | 1 | Peter Manuma | 6-0 | 205 | Sr.
FS | 8 | Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen | 6-1 | 170 | Sr.
CB | 23 | Virden Edwards | 6-2 | 210 | Sr.
UH 2025 SCHEDULE
August
23 |ÌýSTANFORDÌý| W, 23-20
30 | at ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
September
6 |ÌýSAM HOUSTON
13 |ÌýPORTLAND STATE
20 | FRESNO STATEÌý
27 | at Air Force
October
11 |ÌýUTAH STATE
18 |Ìýat Colorado State
November
1 |Ìýat San Jose State
8 | SAN DIEGO STATE
21 |Ìýat UNLV*
29 | WYOMING
Home games inÌýBold;Ìý*=Friday game
UH 2025 STATS^
PASSING
[Name | Comp-Att-INT | Yards | TDs | Long]
Alejado | 27-39-0 | 210 | 2 | 25
RUSHING
[Name | Carries | Yards | TDs | Per carry | Per game]
Barfield | 6 | 45 | 0 | 7.5 | 45.0
Alejado | 10 | 36 | 0 | 3.6 | 36.0
Sims | 7 | 12 | 0 | 1.7 | 12.0
Vaughn | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3.0 | 3.0
RECEIVING
[Name | Receptions | Yards | TDs | Per catch | Per game]
Ashlock | 9 | 69 | 1 | 7.7 | 69.0
Harris | 6 | 59 | 1 | 9.8 | 59.0
Sims | 4 | 32 | 0 | 8.0 | 21.0
White | 2 | 17 | 0 | 8.5 | 17.0
Cenacle | 3 | 12 | 0 | 4.0 | 12.0
DEFENSE
[Name | Tackles | Sacks | INTs | FR | FF]
Manuma | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0
Otis | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Wilson-Jones | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Smith | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Mendiola-Jensen | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0
Palmer | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Benton | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
[^ = Through 1 game in 2025 so far]
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ wide receiver Chris Hunter steps around West Virginia linebacker Ben Cutter after making a catch and getting outside in their Big 12 game, Oct. 25, 2024.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
2024 Record:Ìý4-8 (2-7 Big 12)
WHEN ARIZONA IS ON OFFENSE (PROJECTED):
[Pos. | No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Yr.]
WR | 12 | Tre Spivey III | 6-4 | 212 | R-So.
WR | 4 | Kris Hutson | 5-11 | 173 | R-Sr.
LT | 75 | Ty Buchanan | 6-6 | 314 | R-Sr.
LG | 77 | Michael Wooten | 6-5 | 323 | R-Jr.
C | 52 | Ka'ena Decambra | 6-3 | 308 | R-Sr.
RG | 63 | Alexander Doost | 6-7 | 330 | R-So.
RT | 71 | Tristan Bounds | 6-8 | 291 | R-Sr.
TE | 87 | Tyler Powell | 6-6 | 248 | Jr.
WR | 11 | Chris Hunter | 6-1 | 195 | R-Jr.
QB | 1 | Noah Fifita | 5-10 | 195 | R-Jr.Ìý
RB | 21 | Ismail Mahdi | 5-9 | 184 | Sr.
WHEN ARIZONA IS ON DEFENSE (PROJECTED):
[Pos. | No. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Yr.]
DE | 42 | Dominic Lolesio | 6-4 | 252 | R-So.
DT | 0 | Deshawn McKnight | 6-3 | 288 | Sr.
DT | 98 | Tiaoalii Savea | 6-4 | 301 | R-Sr.
DE | 3 | Tre Smith | 6-5 | 262 | R-Sr.
LB | 6 | Taye Brown | 6-2 | 231 | Jr.
LB | 4 | Max Harris | 6-0 | 230 | Sr.
NB | 23 | Gavin Hunter | 6-2 | 204 | R-So.
CB | 9 | Ayden Garnes | 6-0 | 183 | R-Sr.
CB | 25 | Michael Dansby | 5-11 | 185 | Sr.
BS | 43 | Dalton Johnson | 5-11 | 198 | R-Sr.
FS | 12 |ÌýGenesis Smith | 6-2 | 204 | Jr.
UA 2025 SCHEDULE
August
30 |ÌýHAWAII
September
6 |ÌýWEBER STATEÌý
12 | No. 17 KANSAS STATE*Ìý
27 | at No. 22 Iowa State
October
4 |ÌýOKLAHOMA STATE
11 | BYUÌý(Family Weekend)
18 | at Houston
November
1 | at Colorado
8 |ÌýKANSASÌý(Homecoming, Military Appreciation)
15 | at Cincinnati
22 |ÌýBAYLORÌý(Senior Day)
28 | at No. 11 ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ State* (Territorial Cup)
Home games inÌýBold;Ìý*=Friday game
UA 2024 STATS
PASSING
[Name | Comp-Att-INT | Yards | TDs | Long]
Fifita* | 260-430-12 | 2,958 | 18 | 78
McMillan | 1-2-0 | 14 | 0 | 14
RUSHING
[Name | Carries | Yards | TDs | Per carry | Per game]
Conley | 150 | 745 | 8 | 5.0 | 62.1
Reescano* | 78 | 372 | 1 | 4.6 | 29.9
Croskey-Merritt | 13 | 110 | 1 | 8.2 | 106.0
Luke* | 5 | 20 | 0 | 4.0 | 1.7
Fifita* | 66 | 17 | 1 | 0.3 | 1.4
RECEIVING
[Name | Receptions | Yards | TDs | Per catch | Per game]
McMillan | 84 | 1,319 | 8 | 15.7 | 109.9
Hunter* | 35 | 323 | 3 | 9.2 | 26.9
Conley | 39 | 245 | 1 | 6.3 | 20.4
Burnett* | 18 | 217 | 1 | 12.1 | 27.1
Olson* | 13 | 196 | 2 | 15.1 | 17.8
DEFENSE
[Name | Tackles | Sacks | INTs | FR | FF]
Johnson* | 94 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2
Brown* | 69 | 2.5 | 0 | 1 | 1
G. Smith* | 63 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2
T. Smith* | 53 | 4.5 | 0 | 0 | 1
Goss | 52 | 1.0 | 0 | 2 | 3
[* = on 2025 roster]
Head to Head
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ quarterback Noah Fifita cranks a throw to the corner, working with the receivers during preseason training camp on Aug. 12, 2025.
1 Noah Fifita vs. 1 Peter Manuma
For the first time since Fifita was in the seventh grade, he's taking snaps without Tetairoa McMillan on the field, albeit the former UA star will be in attendance to be inducted into the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Stadium Ring of Honor. Fifita likely won't replicate the magic he created with McMillan, who set the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ single-game receiving record with 304 yards and four touchdowns. Fifita lauded ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥'s receivers room — highlighted by Chris Hunter, Tre Spivey, Kris Hutson, Javin Whatley and Luke Wysong — for being the deepest it's been since he joined ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥.Ìý Ìý
Manuma, a second-year team captain, led the Rainbow Warriors in tackles last week against Stanford. The senior safety also had a sack against the Cardinal. Manuma started nine games last season and had the bestÌýoverall defensive grade (82.6) and coverage grade (87.2) for Mountain West safeties, according to Pro Football Focus. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ head coach Brent Brennan said Manuma "is the straw that stirs the drink" in Hawaii's defense.Ìý Ìý
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ defensive back Genesis Smith (12), right, keeps track of defensive back Jack Luttrell (13) as the DB’s run some coverage drills, Aug. 12, 2025
12 Micah Alejado vs. 12 Genesis Smith
Alejado signed with Hawaii as a three-star prospect out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas last year. Alejado played in four games and preserved his freshman season, and became the starter this year. In the final game of the 2024 season against New Mexico, Alejado passed for 469 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Between his high school and college careers, Alejado has passed for a combined 10,028 yards, 133 touchdowns and four interceptions.Ìý
Alejado's last interception was thrown during his junior season at Bishop Gorman, and if there's anyone capable of ending Alejado's hot streak, it's Smith, who led the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ in interceptions last season. Smith was ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥'s unofficial leader in interceptions during spring practices and training camp. Alejado suffered a leg injury against Stanford, so maybe a less mobile Alejado will force the Hawaii quarterback to sit in the pocket and throw an interception.Ìý ÌýÌý
Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Seth Doege watches with a couple of his charges, Braedyn Locke, left, and Noah Fifita, as the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ run offensive drills in preseason training camp, Aug. 9, 2025, in Tucson.
The matchup
When ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ has the ballÌý…Ìý
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ offensive coordinator Seth Doege is making his UA debut, and his uptempo, no-huddle offense will be on display for the first time. One stat to monitor on Saturday will be Fifita's time to throw (TTT), a statistic tracked on Pro Football Focus. Fifita's TTT last season was an average of 3.14 seconds. Fifita had nine games with a TTT higher than three seconds. In his first season as a starter, Fifita's time-to-throw average was 2.55 seconds and didn't have any games with a TTT higher than three seconds. How quickly Fifita gets the ball out of his hands will be something to watch.Ìý Ìý
When Hawaii has the ballÌý…Ìý
Once Alejado went down with a leg injury last week against Stanford, the Rainbow Warriors failed to score touchdowns and had their six second-half drives result in three punts and three field goals. With a hobbled Alejado under center, the Rainbow Warriors had to rely on their run game, although Hawaii had 96 rushing yards and no rushing touchdowns against Stanford. In the passing game, Alejado will likely rely onÌýAshlock, who has a reception in all 26 career games he's played.Ìý
College Football 26 prediction: ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ 28, Hawaii 13
We simulated the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥-Hawaii season opener on EA Sports' College Football 26 video game, and the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ came out with a two-touchdown victory. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ led 21-13 entering the fourth quarter, but delivered the knockout blow with a 42-yard over-the-shoulder touchdown pass from Fifita to Wysong, who had seven catches for 85 yards, on third-and-long. Fifita completed 25 of 30 passes for 227 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, along with a rushing touchdown. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥'s defensive line combined for 14 sacks, including four from defensive lineman Jarra Anderson. If UA comes anywhere close to even half of that sack total, along with a clean game from the offense, the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ should handle business on Saturday.
Contact Justin Spears, the Star's ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports
Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
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