Hawai’i football looks to continue to build under Timmy Chang.
The Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors have had some difficult times of late. Their home stadium since the 70s, Aloha Stadium, is closed, and there is no likely replacement until 2027. Head coach Todd Graham was fired prior to the 2022 season, and Rainbow Warrior legend Timmy Chang was hired to take over.
Chang took over amid facility issues and a mass exodus of players during the offseason. They played hard for their new head coach but were overmatched almost every game. Hawai’i did play four one-possession games last year.
It would have been easy for Chang, the coaching staff, and the players to chalk up 2022 to having too many players transfer and a coaching change late in the offseason. However, the team played hard, and the coaches coached hard.
The Rainbow Warriors have to look for wins beyond the scoreboard this season. Can they lower the margin of loss? Hawai’i was blown out of the water during some games in 2022. How does the offense improve? Can the defense plug some of its holes?
Chang and his staff want to roster build. Wins and progress on the field will help that. Here is a closer look at the offense, defense, and the schedule.
The Hawai’i football offense has to be more productive and efficient.
The Rainbow Warriors’ success has always hinged on its ability to score points. Hawai’i has been committed to the Run-and-Shoot offense since June Jones took over in 1999. Hawai’i ran that offense last year; it didn’t look very good at times.
The Warriors were 115th in scoring offense and 99th in passing offense. It is very un-Hawai’i like to throw for less than 300 yards per game. The fact that it threw for barely 200 indicates that the offense needs work.
Chang came out earlier this year and remains committed to the Run-and-Shoot. He’s even committed to calling plays in 2023. Chang knows that the key to this offense is the quarterback. Incumbent quarterback Brayden Schager threw for less than 3,000 yards and ten interceptions in 2022.
The Warriors brought in Pitt transfer Joey Yellen, but Schager feels like the starter. One positive in 2023 is the run game was solid. Dedrick Parson and Tylan Himes formed a thunder and lighting combination in the backfield.
The Run-and-Shoot does not necessarily need an alpha wide receiver, but it does need receivers who can separate and get yards after the catch. They signed Steven McBride from the portal, but he didn’t play much at Kansas.
They will need someone from last season’s starting lineup to step up and make some plays. Simply put, the Rainbow Warriors need to score more points. That begins with the passing game.
The Hawai’i football defense needs to be about pressure and havoc.
It stands to reason that when you coordinate a defense on a team with a spread-tempo offense, you will be on the field longer than normal. The defense’s job is to get the football back into the offense’s hands. You will sometimes give up yards and points, but defenses that perform well get pressure on the quarterback and generate turnovers.
Hawai’i football did neither very well, finishing 118th in turnovers and 127th in sacks. It’s no wonder the Rainbow Warriors signed a lot of defensive linemen and defensive backs in recruiting and the portal. They signed seven defensive backs out of high school and two in the portal. They also signed four defensive linemen out of high school and three in the portal.
Defensive coordinator Jacob Yoro expects Wyoming transfer corner Cameron Stone to start day one. Daniel Williams, a JUCO transfer, gives them much-needed size on the interior. Washington transfer defensive tackle Kuao Peihopa is no slouch at 305 pounds.
That size will help a run defense that allowed 212.7 rush yards and over five yards per rush. Hawai’i has solid linebackers, and the secondary is going to be okay. They need sacks and turnovers.
How many games can Hawai’i football win?
Hawai’i football needs to look beyond the win-loss record for progress this season. Their non-conference is brutal, with three Pac-12 opponents on the schedule. One or two of their one-possession losses must go their way.
8/26 at Vanderbilt L: The Commodores are looking to get to a bowl game; this is a win they need to get to six. Anchor Down, Vandy wins.
9/1 vs. Stanford L: Stanford is down this year, but they have a better roster than Hawai’i. That said, this could be interesting—Cardinal in a close one.
9/9 vs. UAlbany W: This is a long road trip for the Greyhounds. The Warriors take advantage.
9/16 at Oregon L: Their loss to the Ducks ends a brutal non-conference schedule. Oregon wins big.
9/23 vs. New Mexico State L: The Aggies defeated them handily last season. Head coach Jerry Kill will have the Aggies ready to play. New Mexico State is what should be a good game.
9/30 at UNLV L: The Rebels are an improving football team. Hawai’i won this game last year; the Rebels get their win back.
10/14 vs. San Diego State L: This was a close game last year and will be a close game again this year. San Diego State’s defense is more trustworthy than Hawai’i’s offense.
10/21 at New Mexico W: The Lobos are arguably the worst team in the Mountain West. Hawai’i gets the road win.
10/28 vs. San Jose State L: The Spartans won seven games last year. The Warriors played them tough last year but still fell short. San Jose State wins again at home.
11/4 at Nevada W: The Wolfpack are rebuilding as well. The Warriors pick up the road win.
11/11 vs. Air Force L: The Warrior’s run defense will be better, but it won’t be good enough to slow the Falcons’ option attack.
11/18 at Wyoming W: This is a 50/50 game. The Warriors get one of those close games back this year.
11/25 vs. Colorado State W: The Rams will be improved under second-year head coach Jay Norvell. However, the ball bounces Hawai’i’s way in the season finale.