2020 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team

2020 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football
2020 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football
Conference	Mountain West Conference
	West Division
Record	0–0 (0–0 MW)
Head coach	Todd Graham (1st season);
Offensive coordinator	G. J. Kinne (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinator	Tony Hull (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Run and gun
Defensive coordinator	Victor Santa Cruz (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Jacob Yoro (1st as coordinator, 4th overall season)
Base defense	Double eagle flex (Desert Swarm)
Home stadium	Aloha Stadium; (Capacity: 50,000)
	Seasons ← 2019 2021 →

2020 Mountain West Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 24 San Jose State y$	7	–	0	7	–	1
Boise State y	5	–	0	5	–	2
Nevada	6	–	2	7	–	2
San Diego State	4	–	2	4	–	4
Hawaii	4	–	4	5	–	4
Fresno State	3	–	3	3	–	3
Air Force	2	–	2	3	–	3
Wyoming	2	–	4	2	–	4
New Mexico	2	–	5	2	–	5
Colorado State	1	–	3	1	–	3
Utah State	1	–	5	1	–	5
UNLV	0	–	6	0	–	6
Championship: San Jose State 34, Boise State 20
$ – Conference champion y – Championship game participant Note: Due to COVID-19, the Mountain West suspended the season, but later decided to begin play on October 24.^[1] Rankings from AP Poll

The 2020 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team will represent the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Rainbow Warriors will play their home games at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. They compete in the West Division of the Mountain West Conference and will be led by first-year head coach Todd Graham.

Previous season

The Rainbow Warriors had their most successful season since 2010. They finished 10-5, 5-3 to finish tied for first in the West Division, claiming the division championship with a 14-11 win over San Diego State. They advanced to the Mountain West Championship, where they lost to Boise State, but won the Hawaii Bowl over archrival BYU, 38-34. This was Hawaii’s first ten-win season since 2010, and just the seventh in program history. Nick Rolovich was also named Mountain West Coach of the Year, the fourth UH coach to receive that honor.

However, Rolovich abruptly resigned on January 13, 2020 to accept the head coaching position at Washington State.^[2] Seven more assistants followed, including assistant coach Mark Banker, offensive coordinator Brian Smith and quarterbacks coach Craig Stutzmann.^[3]

After a week, Athletic Director David Matlin hired former Arizona State head coach Todd Graham as Rolovich's successor on January 21, 2020. He was officially introduced on January 22, 2020.^[4]

Preseason

Award watch lists

To be announced in July.

Mountain West media days

The Mountain West media days will be held in July.

Media poll

The preseason poll will be released at the Mountain West media days in July.

Preseason All-Mountain West Team

The Preseason All-Mountain West Team will be announced at Mountain West media days in July.

Schedule

Times and TV are tentative and subject to change.

Date	Time	Opponent	Site
August 29	TBD	at Arizona*	Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ
September 5	TBD	UCLA*	Aloha Stadium Honolulu, HI
September 12	TBD	Fordham*	Aloha Stadium Honolulu, HI
September 19	TBD	at Oregon*	Autzen Stadium Eugene, OR
October 3	TBD	Nevada	Aloha Stadium Honolulu, HI
October 10	TBD	New Mexico State*	Aloha Stadium Honolulu, HI
October 17	TBD	at Air Force	Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO (Kuter Trophy)
October 24	TBD	Boise State	Aloha Stadium Honolulu, HI
October 31	TBD	at Fresno State	Bulldog Stadium Fresno, CA (Rivalry)
November 7	TBD	New Mexico	Aloha Stadium Honolulu, HI
November 14	TBD	UNLV	Aloha Stadium Honolulu, HI
November 21	TBD	at San Jose State	CEFCU Stadium San Jose, CA
November 28	TBD	at San Diego State	SDCCU Stadium San Diego, CA
*Non-conference game Homecoming All times are in Hawaii time

Personnel

Staff

Name	Position	Seasons at Hawaii	Alma Mater
Todd Graham	Head Coach	1	East Central (1986)
Victor Santa Cruz	Associate Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator / Outside Linebackers	1	Hawaii (1994)
G.J. Kinne	Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks	1	Tulsa (2011)
Danny Phillips	Special Teams Coordinator / Defensive Line	1	Central Oklahoma (1993)
Tony Hull	Co-Offensive Coordinator / Inside Receivers	1	Louisiana–Lafayette (2004)
Jacob Yoro	Co-Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers	3	Hawaii (2008)
Sam Bennett	Run Game Coordinator / Offensive Line	1	Texas Tech (2010)
Brandon "Bo" Graham	Pass Game Coordinator / Running Backs	1	Tulsa (2005)
Brennan Marion	Wide Receivers	1	Tulsa (2008)
Laiu Moeakiola	Safeties	1	Arizona State (2016)
Abe Elimimian	Cornerbacks / Recruiting Coordinator	5	Hawaii (2004)
Trent Figg	Chief of Staff	1	William Jewell (2008)
Kody Cooke	Strength & Conditioning Coordinator / Assistant Head Coach	1	Tulsa

Roster

2020 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Football Team

Quarterback

11 Justin Uahinui – Junior (6'3, 195)
12 Chevan Cordeiro – Sophomore (6'1, 190)
16 Zach Daniel – Freshman (6'0, 190)
18 Boone Abbott – Freshman (6'2, 175)
19 Kamali'i Akina – Senior (5'11, 180)

Running backs

26 Miles Reed – Junior (5'8, 185)
44 Hekili Keliiliki – Junior (6'2, 225)

Wide receiver

4 Kumoku Noa – Senior (5'11, 175)
14 James Phillips – Sophomore (5'9, 155)
15 Jonah Panoke – Freshman (6'2, 185)
23 Jared Smart – Senior (6'0, 190)
35 Jaden Allen – Freshman (5'10, 165)
38 Keliam Brunn – Sophomore (6'0, 185)
80 Mekel Ealy – Freshman (6'3, 180)
81 Grey Ihu – Junior (6'0, 180)
84 Nick Mardner – Sophomore (6'5, 190)
85 Lincoln Victor – Sophomore (5'10, 165)

Offensive lineman

52 Solo Vaipulu – Junior (6'2, 310)
53 Ramsey Aviu – Junior (6'2, 300)
55 Micah Vanterpool – Junior (6'6, 315)
58 Joey Nu'uanu-Kuhi'iki – Freshman (6'3, 290)
60 Caden Hilborn – Freshman (6'5, 285)
61 Eliki Tanuvasa – Sophomore (6'2, 320)
63 Taaga Tuulima – Senior (6'2, 290)
64 Kauka Umiamaka – Freshman (6'4, 310)
65 Elias Wong – Sophomore (6'2, 295)
67 Bubba Wa'a – Freshman (6'2, 295)
68 Ra Elkington – Junior (6'5, 350)
70 Arasi Mose – Freshman (6'5, 340)
72 Kohl Levao – Senior (6'6, 340)
74 Gene Pryor – Senior (6'3, 305)
75 Ilm Manning – Junior (6'4, 280)
76 Michael Eletise – Senior (6'4, 340)
77 Alesana Sunia – Senior (6'3, 320)
78 Ernest Moore – Senior (6'8, 305)

Defensive lineman

10 Mark Blocker II – Freshman (6'3, 230)
30 Kamuela Borden – Sophomore (6'4, 250)
42 Jonah Kahahawai-Welch – Sophomore (6'2, 230)
43 Mason Vega – Senior (6'3, 275)
48 Derek Thomas – Senior (6'3, 225)
50 Justus Tavai – Junior (6'3, 295)
51 Makai Manuwai – Senior (6'1, 280)
54 Kalani Kamakawiwo'ole – Freshman (6'0, 220)
55 Blessman Ta'ala – Junior (6'1, 300)
59 Andrew Choi – Sophomore (6'0, 230)
62 Doug Russell – Junior (6'5, 290)
71 Stephan Bernal-Wendt – Junior (6'1, 310)
79 Samson Siilata – Freshman (6'3, 255)
92 Djuan Matthews – Senior (5'11, 280)
93 Mason Mataafa – Junior (6'4, 250)
94 Alema Kapoi – Junior (6'0, 270)
97 Zach Ritner – Sophomore (6'3, 240)
98 Foi Shaw – Sophomore (6'0, 305)
99 Jonah Laulu – Sophomore (6'5, 280)

Linebacker

1 Penei Pavihi – Junior (6'3, 245)
2 Jeremiah Pritchard – Senior (6'0, 225)
15 Paul Scott – Junior (6'1, 210)
17 Isaiah Tufaga – Sophomore (6'2, 225)
36 Hoku Arias – Freshman (6'0, 205)
45 Payton Awaya – Junior (6'0, 210)
46 Tauivi Ho Ching – Senior (6'1, 230)
53 Darius Muasau – Sophomore (6'1, 225)
56 Zach Bowers – Freshman (6'0, 215)
57 Parker Higgins – Senior (5'11, 225)
58 Kila Kamakawiwo'ole – Freshman (6'0, 220)
61 Wesley Faagau – Senior (6'0, 220)

Defensive backs

5 Khoury Bethley – Junior (5'10, 200)
8 Eugene Ford – Senior (6'2, 200)
18 Cortez Davis – Senior (5'11, 180)
20 Zach Wilson – Senior (6'1, 185)
21 Michael Washington – Freshman (6'0, 160)
23 Akil Francisco – Junior (6'0, 160)
24 Kai Kaneshiro – Sophomore (6'2, 180)
25 Travon Killins – Freshman (6'0, 175)
26 Leonard Lee – Junior (6'1, 190)
28 Nalu Emerson – Freshman (6'1, 205)
29 Donovan Dalton – Junior (6'4, 200)
31 Tiger Peterson – Freshman (6'1, 195)
33 Steven Fiso – Sophomore (6'2, 190)
34 James Green III – Sophomore (5'11, 175)
37 Alakai Mashima – Sophomore (5'11, 185)
38 Brody Padilla – Sophomore (5'11, 170)
39 Kalamaku Kuewa – Sophomore (6'0, 200)
47 Noa Kamana – Junior (6'0, 185)

Placekickers

Punter

9 Stan Gaudion – Senior (6'3, 210)

Long snappers

44 Wyatt Tucker – Junior (5'10, 205)

Head Coach

Todd Graham

Assistant Coaches

Victor Santa Cruz – Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator & Outside Linebackers Coach
G. J. Kinne – Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach
Danny Phillips – Special Teams Coordinator & Defensive Line Coach
Tony Hull – Co-Offensive Coordinator & Inside Receivers Coach
Jacob Yoro – Co-Defensive Coordinator & Linebackers Coach
Sam Bennett – Run Game Coordinator & Offensive Line Coach
Brandon "Bo" Graham – Pass Game Coordinator & Running Backs Coach
Brennan Marion – Wide Receivers Coach
Laiu Moeakiola – Safeties Coach
Abe Elimimian – Cornerbacks Coach & Recruiting Coordinator

Support Staff

Kody Cooke – Strength & Conditioning Coach
Trent Figg – Chief of Staff
Olivia Vea – Video Coordinator
Myles Gota – Director of Football Operations
Josh Omura – Director of Player Personnel/Quality Control
Brodie Nakama – Graduate Assistant (Special Teams)
Jack Perez – Graduate Assistant (Defense)
Tyler Clifton – Graduate Assistant
Ryan Matviko – Offensive Quality Control (Quarterbacks)

Game summaries

at Arizona

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
1–5	2019	UH, 45–38

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Arizona Wildcats

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0
Wildcats	0	0	0	0	0

at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ

Date: August 29, 2020
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD

UCLA

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
0–3	2017	UCLA, 56–23

UCLA Bruins at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Bruins	0	0	0	0	0
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0

at Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI

Date: September 5, 2020
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD

Fordham

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
First meeting

Fordham Rams at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	0	0	0	0	0
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0

at Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI

Date: September 12, 2020
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD

at Oregon

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
3–4	1994	UH, 36–16

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Oregon Ducks

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0
Ducks	0	0	0	0	0

at Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR

Date: September 19, 2020
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD

Nevada

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
10–14	2019	UH, 54–3

Nevada Wolf Pack at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Wolf Pack	0	0	0	0	0
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0

at Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI

Date: October 3, 2020
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD

New Mexico State

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
8–0	2011	UH, 45–34

New Mexico State Aggies at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Aggies	0	0	0	0	0
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0

at Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI

Date: October 10, 2020
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD

at Air Force

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
7–14–1	2019	L, 56–26

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Air Force Falcons

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0
Falcons	0	0	0	0	0

at Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO

Date: October 17, 2020
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD

Boise State

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
3–14	2019	L 31–10

Boise State Broncos at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	0	0	0	0
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0

at Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI

Date: October 24, 2020
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD

at Fresno State

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
22–29–1	2019	L, 41–38

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Fresno State Bulldogs

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0

at Bulldog Stadium, Fresno, CA

Date: October 31, 2020
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD

New Mexico

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
15–10	2019	W 45–31

New Mexico Lobos at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Lobos	0	0	0	0	0
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0

at Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI

Date: November 7, 2020
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD

UNLV

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
17–12	2019	W 21–7

UNLV Rebels at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Rebels	0	0	0	0	0
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0

at Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI

Date: November 14, 2020
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD

at San Jose

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
22–19–1	2019	W, 42–40

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at San Jose State Spartans

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0
Spartans	0	0	0	0	0

at CEFCU Stadium, San Jose, CA

Date: November 21, 2020
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD

at San Diego State

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
11–21–2	2019	W, 14–11

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at San Diego State Aztecs

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0
Aztecs	0	0	0	0	0

at SDCCU Stadium, San Diego, CA

Date: November 28, 2020
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD

^[5]

References

^ "WE'RE BACK". twitter.com/MountainWest. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
^ "Nick Rolovich resigns; heads to Washington State". Bleacher Report. January 22, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
^ "More assistants join Rolovich at Washington State". The Spokesman-Review. January 22, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
^ "Ex-ASU coach Todd Graham hired by Hawaii". CBS Sports. January 22, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
^ "2020 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Football Schedule". Hawaii Athletic Department. January 22, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.

[1] "WE'RE BACK". twitter.com/MountainWest. Retrieved 2020-09-24.

[2] "Nick Rolovich resigns; heads to Washington State". Bleacher Report. January 22, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.

[3] "More assistants join Rolovich at Washington State". The Spokesman-Review. January 22, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.

[4] "Ex-ASU coach Todd Graham hired by Hawaii". CBS Sports. January 22, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.

[5] "2020 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Football Schedule". Hawaii Athletic Department. January 22, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.

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v t e Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football
Venues	Moiliili Field (1909–1926) Honolulu Stadium (1926–1974) Aloha Stadium (1975–2020) Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex (2021–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Air Force Fresno State San Jose State: Dick Tomey Legacy Game Wyoming
Culture & lore	Vili The Warrior Marching band
People	Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders
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