With the University of Hawaii's incumbent starter sidelined, Luke Weaver made a splash in his first FBS quarterback start leading the Rainbow Warriors to a 37-20 victory over Sam Houston. "Luke is a diamond for us," UH coach Timmy Chang said, reflecting on Weaver's performance, according to Spectrum Local News. The junior college transfer showed off an impressive array of multi-dimensional skills, completing 27 out of 43 passes for a total of 294 yards and scoring three touchdowns.
Weaver had a dual impact on the field, not just relying on his arm but also using his legs to keep plays alive, even if that meant chewing up 18 yards on the ground despite taking three sacks. As a confident new addition to the team, he appeared to comfortably lead the squad to their second win of the season. "I think I started doing that in like middle school, and I haven’t switched back since just because it’s habit," Weaver told Spectrum Local News, referring to his idiosyncratic mouthguard habit, which did not seem to hinder his commanding performance.
Despite the absence of starting quarterback Micah Alejado, Hawaii's offense showed no signs of struggle, with Weaver and wide receiver Pofele Ashlock connecting on a whopping seven completions for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Ashlock's remarkable game included a long 47-yard catch on the opening drive, as reported by Hawaii Athletics. Moreover, kicker Kansei Matsuzawa upheld his perfect record, hitting three field goals to raise his season stat to an 8-for-8.
The victory was also in part due to a staunch defensive effort, highlighted by linebacker Giovanni Iovino scoring on a 41-yard interception return, making it UH’s first defensive touchdown of the season. This shows UH's defense is not just about preventing scores but also contributing to the team's points. When Sam Houston managed to cut the lead in score, Weaver methodically led a responsive nine-play drive, culminating with a touchdown to Ashlock early in the fourth quarter, showing the Rainbow Warriors' ability to quickly bounce back from setbacks.
Despite the uncertainties going into the game, including a game-time decision for Alejado and a switch-up in Sam Houston's quarterback position, the UH team demonstrated firm control throughout the match. "Getting off the field on third down is the goal," Chang said, as the Rainbow Warriors held Sam Houston to just two of 11 on third-down conversions, as per Spectrum Local News. This strong performance against a conference foe suggests that the Rainbow Warriors, now at 2-1, could be shaping up to have a promising season ahead.
