Russ Cannon
10
Teams: Hawaii (HAW)
Record: 4-7, 2-4
55
Winner: Utah State (USU)
Record: 3-7, 2-3
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAW Hawaii | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| USU Utah State | 17 | 7 | 21 | 10 | 55 |
Game Recap: Football | 11.16.2024
Next Game:
New Mexico
Date: 11/30/2024 | Time: 6:00 P.M. HT
Broadcast: Spectrum Sports PPV
Radio: ESPN Honolulu
LOGAN, Utah – The University of Hawai’i football team stumbled out of the gates and couldn’t recover in their recent matchup, suffering a blowout 55-10 defeat against Utah State at Maverik Stadium on Saturday afternoon. With this loss, the Rainbow Warriors find themselves with a disappointing record of 4-7 overall and 2-4 in the Mountain West Conference, marking their second straight loss.
Conversely, Utah State improved to 3-7 overall and 2-3 in conference play, marking their second consecutive victory. This win continues Utah State’s dominance over Hawaii, extending their winning streak in this series to an impressive eight games, with six of those contests decided by a margin of 20 points or more.
The Aggies, boasting one of the top statistical offenses in the nation, made their presence felt early in the game, scoring their first touchdown just 93 seconds after kickoff and accumulating nearly 200 offensive yards in the first quarter alone. They rapidly established a commanding 17-0 lead, setting the tone for the remainder of the match.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, they struggled offensively, failing to find the end zone in six of their first seven drives, while turning the ball over three times. Utah State capitalized on Hawaii’s mistakes, converting 14 points off those turnovers. The only points for the Warriors in the first half were a late 40-yard field goal, leaving them trailing 24-3 at halftime.
Any hopes of a comeback for the Rainbow Warriors were swiftly dashed early in the third quarter when Rahsul Faison broke free for a 37-yard touchdown, a pivotal play set up by a 44-yard punt return. The Aggies quickly added to their lead with another 37-yard touchdown following the very next possession.
Faison had an outstanding game, accumulating 191 yards on 20 carries. Utah State’s quarterback, Spencer Petras, also had a productive outing, completing 20 of 30 passes for 255 yards and two touchdown throws. By the end of the contest, Utah State had amassed a staggering 580 total yards of offense, including an impressive 321 yards on the ground.
On the other side, Hawaii’s Brayden Schager went 11-of-19 for 124 yards but was unable to avoid three interceptions before leaving the game early in the second half. In relief, true freshman Micah Alejado completed 11 of 12 passes for 111 yards, including his first career touchdown on a 44-yard reception to Dekel Crowdus.
Looking ahead, the Warriors will enjoy a much-needed bye week before hosting New Mexico in their season finale on Saturday, November 30. The game will also feature Senior Night festivities, honoring nearly two dozen players. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. at the Ching Complex.
#HawaiiFB
What were the primary struggles Hawaii faced in their recent game against Utah State, according to Russ Cannon?
**Interview with Russ Cannon, Sports Analyst**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Russ. Let’s dive into that recent game between Hawaii and Utah State. What stood out to you the most from the Rainbow Warriors’ performance?
**Russ Cannon**: Thanks for having me. One of the most glaring issues for Hawaii was their slow start. Being down 17-0 just in the first quarter is incredibly hard to come back from, especially against a team like Utah State that has such a potent offense. The defense seemed a bit disorganized, which allowed Utah State to storm through them early on.
**Editor**: Absolutely. The stats show that Hawaii only scored 10 points throughout the game. What do you think are the key areas they need to address moving forward?
**Russ Cannon**: Scoring only 10 points indicates some significant inefficiencies on offense. They need to focus on building a stronger offensive line and better pass protection. Additionally, establishing a solid run game could help diversify their offensive strategy. I also think they need to work on their quarterback’s decision-making under pressure.
**Editor**: Right. With this loss, Hawaii’s record now stands at 4-7. How does this impact their prospects for the rest of the season?
**Russ Cannon**: It certainly puts them in a challenging position. Although they have a chance to finish the season positively, they’ll need to win their remaining games, starting with New Mexico. Every game is crucial now, and building momentum could be a significant confidence boost heading into the off-season.
**Editor**: Speaking of New Mexico, their next game is just around the corner. What do you think Hawaii should focus on this week in preparation?
**Russ Cannon**: Preparation will be key. They need to analyze New Mexico’s recent performances and make tactical adjustments accordingly. Emphasizing the fundamentals, such as tackling and ball security, will also be essential to avoid any mistakes that could lead to another disappointing result.
**Editor**: Lastly, any predictions for that game on November 30th?
**Russ Cannon**: If Hawaii can regroup and come out with a renewed sense of purpose, they have the talent to compete. But they need to play with intensity from kickoff. If they can establish an early lead and play well defensively, they could turn things around. It all hinges on how they respond after this loss.
**Editor**: Thank you, Russ, for your insights. It’ll be interesting to see how Hawaii bounces back against New Mexico.
**Russ Cannon**: My pleasure! Looking forward to it.