NDL: S30W10 - Fresno State (28) at Hawai'i (31)
CHEE PONO upset Fresno State
Article By: HONOLULU — In one of the most electric atmospheres the Aloha Stadium has seen in years, the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors stunned the Fresno State Bulldogs 31-28 on Saturday night in a rivalry game that lived up to the hype. Behind a stellar performance from quarterback Brayden Schager and a high-powered offense that executed Coach JeffDaddy's "Chee Pono" attack to perfection, the Rainbow Warriors pulled off the dramatic win in front of a sold-out crowd that was as loud as it was passionate.
Brayden Schager, the junior quarterback, was at the center of it all, showing poise and precision as he led the offense with a 26-of-35 passing performance for 249 yards, 1 touchdown, and no interceptions. His ability to move the ball downfield, spread it around to multiple receivers, and manage the clock in critical moments was key in securing the victory.
“Brayden was the leader we’ve been waiting for,” said Coach JeffDaddy after the game. “He’s been taking control of this offense all season, and tonight, he showed the maturity and leadership we knew he had. That’s what you want from your quarterback in a big game.”
The offensive system known as "Chee Pono" — a playbook tailored to the strengths of Schager and the team’s versatile skill players — was firing on all cylinders.
The offensive line, which has been much maligned at times this season, put together one of its best performances of the year. Schager had plenty of time in the pocket to survey the field and deliver accurate throws, while the ground game was able to chew up important yards and control the tempo.
What truly set this game apart, however, was the atmosphere. Hawaii’s marketing team set the stage for a memorable night by running a New Belgium beer promotion that brought fans in droves to the stadium. The crowd was so loud that it seemed to shake the very foundation of the venue, with the roar of the fans ringing in the ears of everyone in attendance.
"The energy from the crowd was unreal," said Schager. "Every time we made a big play, it felt like the stadium was going to explode. The fans were behind us the whole game, and that kind of support is something special. It definitely helped us stay focused and motivated.”
The sold-out crowd was a testament to the growing excitement surrounding this program under Coach Chang, and it didn’t disappoint. With the stands packed and the fans chanting throughout, the intensity was palpable from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.
“We’ve got a lot of football left to play, and this is just the beginning,” said Jeffdaddy. “Tonight was a big step for this program. The fans, the team, the community — it’s all coming together, and this is a moment we can build on. I’m proud of how hard everyone fought.”
For the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, this victory over Fresno State is more than just another win — it’s a statement. They’ve sent a message to the rest of the conference that they are a force to be reckoned with, and with Schager at the helm and the "Chee Pono" offense clicking, this team is setting itself up for an exciting second half of the season. And as for the fans? Well, they’ve got memories of one unforgettable night in Aloha Stadium to carry them through until the next big game.
Fresno Comes Up Short At Hawaii!!!
Article By: This was a very competive game that Fresno came up short 31-28. Hawaii took away Sherrod and forced Fresno to pass, which to Keen's credit threw for 300 3 tds and 1 int. Hawaiis un predictable offense was the difference in this one. They had Fresno fooled all 2nd half and really confused them when trying to run the clock out. Fresno had time outs and Hawaii threw twice to get first downs and drained Fresnos Last Time outs. Very good competitive game.
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