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Hawaii Football: 3 takeaways from the Warriors’ win over Colorado State

By Gavin Jernigan

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 27: Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors players form a hudle during the College Football Sydney Cup match between University of California and University of Hawaii at ANZ Stadium on August 27, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 27: Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors players form a hudle during the College Football Sydney Cup match between University of California and University of Hawaii at ANZ Stadium on August 27, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images) /
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In Hawaii Football’s season opener against Colorado State, we learned that this year’s team is much different from last year’s team for the better.

Hawaii got off to a strong start right away. On the opening drive, of the first game of the year, Hawaii marched down the field and scored with ease. The Colorado State Rams responded equally with a score of their own. After that, Hawaii was in complete charge throughout the rest of the first half.  The Rainbow Warriors were able to move the ball down the field, despite repeated penalties on offense.

Hawaii jumped ahead early in the second half  and led at one moment by 30 points. However, that lead quickly decreased to 17 by the start of the fourth quarter. Then the lead was down to 10 by the middle of the fourth quarter. By 4:42 left in the fourth the lead was only six.

In the end, the Rainbow Warriors pulled out the win despite some questionable clock and play management towards the end of the game.

Hawaii’s offense was led by the very talented, Cole McDonald.

3. A dual-threat at quarterback

In Saturday’s game against the Rams, Cole McDonald established himself as Hawaii’s No. 1 quarterback after a battle with Chevan Cordeiro. McDonald demonstrated he could beat defenses both in the air and on the ground.

In the first half alone, Cole McDonald completed 15-of-19 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown. On the ground, McDonald rushed for 57 yards on six carries and accounted for two rushing touchdowns.

McDonald continued his performance by capping off the first drive of the second half with a 19 yard touchdown completion to his number one receiver, John Ursua. Ursua had 123 yards receiving and two touchdowns in his first game back since tearing his ACL last season. McDonald finished with 514 total yards and five total touchdowns.

With any good offensive performance, it is important that the offensive line be recognized. Hawaii’s offensive line combined for nine starts prior to this week’s game.  Seven of those nine starts came from one player, J.R. Hensley. The youth on the offensive line was highlighted in their multiple false start and delay of game penalties. Regardless of the inexperience the offensive line proved they are ready to compete this year.

Let’s see what we learned about the defense.

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