Thursday, August 31, 2017

Game #1 - The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors



Just one week after Hawaii made its longest trip in school history with a season-opening trip to Amherst, Mass., Western Carolina will make its longest trip in school history for Saturday's match-up with the Rainbow Warriors at Aloha Stadium.

This will be the first-ever meeting between the Catamounts and Rainbow Warriors of the Mountain West Conference, one of two FBS games the Cats will play in 2017.

When: Saturday, September 2, 2017
Where: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Radio: ESPN 1420 (LISTEN LIVE)
TV / video: Spectrum Sports PPV -  The game will also be distributed outside the state of Hawai‘i via the Mountain West Network and through the MW’s digital media partner Stadium on www.WatchStadium.com.

The Series: The Cats and Rainbow Warriors meet for the first time on the football field. This will also be the first meeting between a SoCon team and the Rainbow Warriors.

Game Notes:  Western Carolina          Hawaii        SoCon Release

Last year’s record (Hawaii): 7-7 overall, 4-4 conference

Offensive starters - Returning/Lost:  8  /  3
Defensive starters - Returning/Lost:  6  /  5

Key losses: WR Marcus Kemp, OL Leo Koloamatangi, K Rigoberto Sanchez
Top returnees: QB Dru Brown, OL Dejon Allen, LB Jahlani Tavai, DL Meffy Koloamatangi, DB Trayvon Henderson

Strengths: Hawaii’s passing attack improved considerably in 2016, going from No. 98 in the nation with 192.4 yards per game to No. 68 with 227 yards per game. Dru Brown will lead a group of eight returning starters trying to build on their 2016 offensive success.

Weaknesses: The Rainbow Warriors have to offset the loss of five defensive starters and improve a defensive unit that struggled last season. The defense ranked No. 113 nationally (FBS) in scoring defense, and surrendered 37 points per game, a figure that puts considerable pressure on the offense.

Game(s) played before Western Carolina:  The Rainbow Warriors (1-0) come into Saturday's game against the Catamounts riding a four-game win streak dating back to last season following a come-from-behind 38-35 victory over UMass last weekend in Amherst, MA. Hawaii scored the final 10 points of the game, including the game-winning touchdown pass with just 48 seconds remaining. Quarterback Dru Brown completed 25 passes for 391 yards and rushed 8 times for 48 yards. The leading rusher was senior running back Diocemy Saint Juste with 23 attempts, gaining 80 yards, averaging 3.4 yards per carry and a long of 11 yards.  Hawaii's leading receiver was RS sophomore WR John Ursua, with 12 receptions for 272 yards, averaging 22.7 yards and a long of  85 yards. RS junior linebacker Jahlani Tavai led all tacklers with a total of 13, 6 solo.


2017 Hawaii Statistics (one game):
Rushing Offense: 143 yards
Yards per game: 143
Yards per rush: 3.2 yards
TDs rushing: 2
Passing Offense: 391 yards or 391 yards per game
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 25-38-1
TDs passing: 3
Total Offense: 503 yards
Passing 1st downs: 12
Rushing 1st downs: 6
Fumbles-Lost: 2 - 0
3d Down Conversions: 6 of 14 or 43%
4th Down Conversions: 2 of 4 or 50%
Field Goals - Attempts: 1 of 1
Red-Zone Scores: 4 of 6 (67%)
Red-Zone Touchdowns: 3 of 6 (50%)
Punts (No. Yards): 3 (104 yds)
Avg. per punt: 35 yds
PAT-Attempts: 5 of 5 - 100%
Field Goals-Attempts: 1 of 1
On-Side Kicks: 0 of 0


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