It’s not even on national tv, but it is one of five games featuring FBS teams on opening weekend. Here’s all the high points from the Hawaii vs. UMass game.
Hawaii did not have a stellar campaign in 2016. They reached a low point of 4-7 before winning their final three games to finished at 7-7, right at .500. The Minutemen of UMass did not fair as well. Mark Whipple’s team ended the season with a 2-10 record. It’s no Alabama vs Florida State, but it does promise to be a competitive, albeit somewhat sloppy football game.
When it’s all said and done there will be five games featuring FBS teams on Saturday. The only game not on national television is this one. In an age where essentially ever game is at least streaming on ESPN3 that says something about the quality of the teams involved. You can catch the game on the UMass Athletics website. If streaming isn’t an option for you then follow along on a game tracker or right here.
Nevertheless, this is college football, and we’ve been waiting for its return for months. Stay right here for live updates, highlights top performers and the final score.
Three Stars
- Dru Brown – The Hawaii quarterback led the Rainbow Warriors on three fourth quarter scoring drives to ice the victory, throwing for 391 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
- John Ursua – Brown’s favorite target, Ursua went absolutely bonkers. He caught 12 passes for 272 yards and accounted for nearly half of the all Hawaii reception
- Adam Breneman – The UMass tight end was the safety net that never failed quarterback Marquis Young. He hauled in nine receptions for 179 yards.
Highlights
#HawaiiFB pregame rendition of the ha'a! Kickoff in just a few minutes! pic.twitter.com/hrfw8nHYui
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) August 26, 2017
Hawaii touchdown on a 29-yard run by Dru Brown; Puts Rainbow Warriors up 7-0 after PAT with 8:51 left in 1Q
— UMass Football (@UMassFootball) August 26, 2017
Here's a look at the Andy Isabella touchdown!
— UMass Football (@UMassFootball) August 26, 2017
Hawaii 7, @UMassFootball 7 with 6 min left in 1Q pic.twitter.com/JFLlBz9glN
Isaiah Rodgers with an incredible INT! Do work young man! #UMass
— Chowder & Champions (@CandCFanSided) August 26, 2017
HIGH POINT THAT BALL! pic.twitter.com/7iJOp6ifhJ
— UMass Football (@UMassFootball) August 26, 2017
At the end of Q1, we're tied and #HawaiiFB is driving.
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) August 26, 2017
UH with 79 rushing yards & 70 passing yards
Brown is 6-for-11#LiveAlohaPlayWarrior pic.twitter.com/EDtE5yXNCG
TOUCHDOWN! Ursua with a HUGE catch-and-run for an 85-yard reception from Brown, putting #HawaiiFB up 14-7 just before half. pic.twitter.com/fCECttx8wv
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) August 26, 2017
UMass ties the game at 14-14 with a 2-yard pass from Ford to Isabella. 2 seconds to halftime. #HawaiiFB
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) August 26, 2017
At Halftime
— Saturday Blitz (@SaturdayBlitz) August 26, 2017
Hawaii 14
UMass 14
Young scores from the 1 to push UMass ahead 21-14 at 11:12 - Q3. Drive powered by 68 yards on 3 rec. to TE Breneman.
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) August 27, 2017
Meanwhile in the Northeast, UMass has pulled out to a 28-14 lead over Hawaii.
— Saturday Blitz (@SaturdayBlitz) August 27, 2017
Touchdown #HawaiiFB! #GoBows! #RyanTuiasoa #BeatUMASS @ McGuirk Alumni Stadium https://t.co/k3OfczICiO
— Hawaii Sports Fans (@HIsportsfans) August 27, 2017
WHAT A CATCH! #HawaiiFB ties the game at 28-all with Armstrong-Brown's 1st career score! #LiveAlohaPlayWarrior pic.twitter.com/kCyXgAN4qU
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) August 27, 2017
HUGE PLAY! #HawaiiFB stopped, but UMass muffs the punt after 36-yd Gaudion punt. Tuiasoa recovers and UH starts at UM15, 14:21 Q4
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) August 27, 2017
Great vision, Great speed! Plant that foot and get up field @MarquisYoung! pic.twitter.com/nofTyXg8YW
— UMass Football (@UMassFootball) August 27, 2017
Woohooo!! Extra point good after a 21 yard run for a touchdown! @UMassAthletics @UMassFootball @UMassAmherst 35 28 umass!! pic.twitter.com/YwzF8GdYvV
— Amy Dion (@adion100513) August 27, 2017
.@BrytonBarr = BEAST pic.twitter.com/cAqZuSZeC7
— UMass Football (@UMassFootball) August 27, 2017
Ursua takes the fair catch at the #HawaiiFB 27, 2:52 on the clock. Warriors trail UMass 35-31 late. Key possession. #LiveAlohaPlayWarrior
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) August 27, 2017
52-yd pass for Hawaii puts the Rainbow Warriors at the UMass 7-yard line with 1:15 left in 4Q
— UMass Football (@UMassFootball) August 27, 2017
Big stop by Bryton Barr on 2nd and 7
— UMass Football (@UMassFootball) August 27, 2017
:52 second left
TO UMass
3rd and 7 at the 7 for Hawaii
Hawaii scores on a 7-yd TD pass to go up 38-35 over @UMassFootball with 48 sec left in 4Q
— UMass Football (@UMassFootball) August 27, 2017
#CLUTCH
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) August 27, 2017
Brown finds ‘Unga for the go-ahead score and Trifonovitch knocks down the PAT. #HawaiiFB leads by 3, 48 seconds to go. pic.twitter.com/58yB7lRq8U
Hail Mary time for UMass. Hawaii 5 seconds away from the W.
— Saturday Blitz (@SaturdayBlitz) August 27, 2017
The Rainbow Warriors defense stands strong! It looked bleak at times, but Hawaii rallies for an important 38-35 victory over UMass.
— MWCConnection.com (@MWCConnection) August 27, 2017
What’s Next?
UMass will hit the road for their first road trip of the season and head south to play Coastal Carolina. The Rainbow Warriors return home to play Western Carolina. That’s one heck of a road trip, but they’ll still be favored to take care of business against the Catamounts at home.