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- calendar_today October 26, 2026
Rainbow Warriors End Skid With Convincing Win
The University of Hawaii football team achieved its first Mountain West victory of the season on Saturday, powering past Northern Illinois 56-21 in what was their most dominant performance of the year. The win snapped a four-game losing streak and boosted the Rainbow Warriors' record to 2-6 overall and 1-4 in conference play.
Long Journey, Strong Performance
Hawaii traveled a conference game-record 4,200 miles to face Northern Illinois, and the long trip seemed to inspire a standout effort on both sides of the ball. The offense delivered 504 total yards, marking a dramatic turnaround for a team that had struggled for consistency through the first half of the season.
Offensive Highlights Led by Quarterback Micah Alejado
Quarterback Micah Alejado led the offensive explosion, throwing three touchdown passes. Wide receiver Frank Abreu caught two of those scores, while Oahu native Josiah Fetui recorded his first collegiate touchdown catch. The Rainbow Warriors also found success on the ground, rushing for 175 yards on 42 carries. Davon Rice reached the end zone twice, and both Cam Barfield and TJ Fo’i Lefutu tallied their first rushing touchdowns of the season.
Turnover-Driven Defense Fuels the Victory
Hawaii's football defense played a pivotal role, forcing five turnovers from Northern Illinois. Jeremiah Hughes stood out among the defenders, notching his third interception over the last eight quarters of play. The aggressive defense kept the opposing offense off-balance and contributed to the lopsided scoreline.
Analysis and Looking Forward
In the recent episode of Hawaii Football Final, a Hawaii Sports 2Night production, KHON2 Sports Director Rob DeMello and analyst Rich Miano—a former UH player, coach, and 11-year NFL veteran—broke down the Rainbow Warriors' much-needed victory. Discussion covered the resurgent football offense, the opportunistic defense, and whether this performance could signal a turning point as the team enters the final stretch of the football season.
Fan Engagement and Show Details
DeMello and Miano also addressed viewer questions in the "HFF Mailbox" segment and previewed what's ahead for the Rainbow Warriors. Fans can catch Hawaii Football Final every Sunday at 7 p.m. on the KHON+ app, available on Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV. The show is rebroadcast Mondays at 10:35 p.m. on KHON2, and an extended podcast version is released Sundays at 7:30 p.m. on major podcast platforms, including Spotify.
Source: khon2.com.
