the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of Western's 2017 football opponents. Today we look at the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

In the opening game of the 2017 season, the Catamounts travel to Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii to meet the Rainbow Warriors.

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


Hawaii

When: Saturday, September 2, 2017

Where: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii

Radio: ESPN 1420 (LISTEN LIVE)

TV / video: TBA

The Series: The Cats Cats and Rainbow Warriors meet for the first time on the football field.

Head Coach:  NIck Rolovich  - Nick Rolovich was formally introduced as the University of Hawai‘i’s new head football coach during a press conference on December 1, 2015, at the UH Athletics Department Lecture Hall. A standing-room-only crowd welcomed the former UH quarterback and assistant coach who was hired after spending the previous four years as the University of Nevada offensive coordinator. Rolovich is the 23rd head coach for the Rainbow Warrior program.



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.


2016 Hawaii Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 2293 yards
Yards per game: 164
Yards per rush: 4.8 yards
TDs rushing: 25
Passing Offense: 3185 yards or 228 yards per game
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 257-438-15
TDs passing: 25
Total Offense: 5478 yards or 391 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 134
Rushing 1st downs: 107
Fumbles-Lost: 20 - 10
3d Down Conversions: 64 of 182 or 35%
4th Down Conversions: 15 of 25 or 60%
Field Goals - Attempts: 13 of 13
Red-Zone Scores: 44 of 49 (90%)
Red-Zone Touchdowns: 33 of 49 (67%)
Punts (No. Yards): 70 (3122 yds) Avg. per punt: 45 yds
PAT-Attempts: 49 of 50 - 98%
Field Goals-Attempts: 13 of 13
On-Side Kicks: 0 of 1


(Next week, a look at game #2 opponent - The Davidson Wildcats)


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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