The latest episode of Hawaii Football Final, a production of Hawaii Sports 2Night, breaks down the Rainbow Warriors’ season-opening 37-27 loss to Stanford and looks ahead to what’s next for Hawaii.

KHON2 Sports Director Rob DeMello is joined by Rich Miano, a former University of Hawaii player and coach and 11-year NFL veteran, to analyze the Warriors’ near comeback in the Bay Area, answer viewer questions in the “HFF Mailbox” segment and preview the team’s upcoming matchup.

Hawaii struggled to find its footing offensively early against the Cardinal, punting on eight of its first nine possessions, including six three-and-outs.

The Warriors trailed 14-7 at halftime and 23-7 entering the fourth quarter before mounting a furious rally.

Defensive standout Kona Moore helped spark the turnaround with 10 tackles, including two for loss, as Hawaii’s defense gave the offense an opportunity to get back into the game.

The Warriors then scored 20 consecutive points to take their first lead of the afternoon.

Local products Blaze Kamoku, Kaikai Carvalho and Tama Uiliata combined for 16 receptions, while quarterback Micah Alejado finished with 260 yards passing.

Alejado connected with De’Von Rice on a 29-yard touchdown pass to give Hawaii a 27-23 lead with four minutes remaining.

The comeback, however, unraveled in the final 1:41.

Stanford running back Micah Ford posted his third touchdown rush of the game to put the Cardinal back in front before Punahou graduate Tevarua Tafiti recovered a 31-yard Alejado fumble for touchown to seal the victory.

Stanford finished with a 37-27 win, dropping Hawaii to 0-1 to open the season despite the Warriors’ fourth-quarter surge.

Hawaii Football Final airs Sundays at 7 p.m. on the KHON+ app, available on Apple TV, Roku and Fire TV. A television rebroadcast airs Mondays at 10:35 p.m. on KHON2.

An extended version of the show is also released Sundays at 7:30 p.m. on most major podcast platforms, including Spotify.

The wait is over.

The University of Hawai‘i football team opens the 2026 season Saturday on the road against Stanford, and Hawai‘i Football Final is getting fans ready for kickoff with a special quick preview episode featuring KHON2 Sports Director Rob DeMello and former Rainbow Warrior player and coach Rich Miano.

After an offseason filled with excitement and high expectations, Miano breaks down what makes this year’s team different and why he believes the Rainbow Warriors have the leadership and chemistry to pursue lofty goals in 2026.

“I think the leadership,” Miano said. “When I talk about 2007 being arguably the greatest season in Hawai‘i history, it wasn’t because it was the most talented team. This team does have talent and you can see the athleticism. But what it has when I talk about leadership is you look at a guy like Jamih Otis, Elijah Palmer, Micah Alejado, Cam Barfield, and there are other leaders as well.”

Miano also pointed to the continuity within the coaching staff as another key factor heading into the season.

The Rainbow Warriors return their coordinators, allowing the team to build on the systems, terminology and techniques established a year ago.

“The Braddahhood has really developed that belief in the coaching staff,” Miano said.

Miano believes Hawai‘i is positioned to build on last season’s success, which included nine wins and a Hawai‘i Bowl championship.

The Rainbow Warriors also have recent history against Stanford and other current Pac-12 opponents to draw from. Hawai‘i opened last season against Stanford and closed the regular season against California.

“What they’re doing in almost every aspect of this football program is headed in a positive direction,” Miano said. “I’m anticipating it and I’m expecting a Mountain West championship or at least competing for that.”

The full Hawai‘i Football Final season preview dives deeper into the 2026 Rainbow Warriors, including the expectations surrounding quarterback Micah Alejado, the team’s returning leadership and what it will take for Hawai‘i to compete for a Mountain West championship in its first season in the conference.

Hawai‘i Football Final is a Hawai‘i Sports 2Night production hosted by DeMello and Miano, a former UH player and coach, 11-year NFL veteran and UH Sports Circle of Honor member.

The new season of Hawai‘i Football Final premieres Sunday, August 30 at 7 p.m. on the KHON+ app, available on Apple TV, Roku and Firestick. Each episode is also available on demand following its premiere, with a television rebroadcast Mondays at 10:35 p.m. on KHON2.

Episodes are also available on demand at KHON2.com and YouTube, with an audio version available on Spotify and most other podcast platforms.

Hawai‘i opens the 2026 season against Stanford Saturday at 1 p.m. Hawai‘i time.

For continuing coverage of the Rainbow Warriors throughout the season, stay with KHON2 Sports on air and online.

The latest episode of Hawaiʻi Football Final, a Hawaiʻi Sports 2Night production, looked back at one of the most memorable moments in University of Hawaiʻi football history, a comeback for the ages in the 22nd Hawaiʻi Bowl.

KHON2 Sports Director Rob DeMello was joined by Rainbow Warriors senior offensive lineman and co-captain Zhen Sotelo as the show revisited Hawaiʻi’s 35-31 victory over California on Christmas Eve, a nationally televised thriller that capped an unforgettable season in Mānoa.

Hawaiʻi trailed 21-0 in the first half before digging deep across all three phases to mount a stunning rally. Freshman quarterback Micah Alejado, named Mountain West Freshman of the Year, played through heavy contact to throw for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Hawaiʻi Bowl MVP Pofele Ashlock hauled in 14 receptions for 123 yards and two scores as the Warriors outscored the Golden Bears 35-10 down the stretch.

The defining moment came with 15 seconds remaining. Trailing by three, Hawaiʻi faced sudden adversity when Alejado was knocked out of the game after a late hit. Backup quarterback Luke Weaver was called upon to deliver in the game’s biggest moment, and did just that, dropping a 22-yard go-ahead touchdown pass to senior receiver Nick Cenacle.

The play, quickly etched into Hawaiʻi football lore, sealed the Warriors’ first Hawaiʻi Bowl victory since 2010 and completed a comeback that will be remembered among the program’s greatest moments.

Head coach Timmy Chang, in his fourth season, closed out a 9-4 campaign that saw Hawaiʻi bookend the year with wins over ACC opponents Stanford and California, further signaling the program’s resurgence under his leadership.

On Hawaiʻi Football Final, DeMello and Sotelo reflected on the emotional weight of the victory, the belief inside the locker room while trailing by three touchdowns, and the confidence the team had in Weaver when he stepped into the huddle for the final play.

The episode also featured the “HFF Mailbox” segment, answering viewer-submitted questions, and looked ahead to what’s next for the Rainbow Warriors following a season that reignited excitement around Hawaiʻi football.

Hawaiʻi Football Final premieres every Sunday at 7 p.m. on the KHON+ app, available on Apple TV, Roku and Firestick. A television rebroadcast airs Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. on KHON2.

The University of Hawaiʻi football team’s postseason return took center stage on the latest episode of Hawaii Football Final, as KHON2 Sports Director Rob DeMello was joined by ESPN Honolulu and KHON2 analyst John Veneri to break down the Rainbow Warriors’ upcoming Sheraton Hawaii Bowl matchup and the major storylines surrounding the program.

Hawaiʻi is set to make its 15th bowl game appearance in program history when it faces California on Christmas Eve. The matchup brings added intrigue, as Cal will be led by interim head coach Nick Rolovich, who returns to the islands to face his former University of Hawaiʻi teammate and current Rainbow Warriors head coach Timmy Chang.Chang, recently named an AFCA Regional Coach of the Year, is aiming to guide Hawaiʻi to its ninth victory of the season.

Both teams have shifted into bowl game preparations with full game-week practices underway.A major focus of the discussion centered on the head coaching matchup between Chang and Rolovich, whose relationship dates back 25 years to their arrival on UH’s lower campus as quarterbacks competing for the starting role. Both eventually earned their opportunities and went on to leave lasting legacies in the program, adding a unique layer to the upcoming showdown.

The quarterback storyline extends onto the field as well, with both teams led by left-handed quarterbacks from ʻEwa Beach. Hawaiʻi will be guided by Mountain West Freshman of the Year Micah Alejado, while Cal counters with freshman All-American Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele.

While the quarterbacks share similar roots, DeMello and Veneri discussed how each presents different challenges within their respective offensive schemes.

Roster movement in the modern college football landscape was also a key topic. Alejado recently announced he will return for the 2026 season after re-signing with the program, a significant development for the Rainbow Warriors amid the era of NIL and the transfer portal. However, Hawaiʻi will be without Alejado’s top receiving target, Jackson Harris, who has departed the program with plans to enter the transfer portal.DeMello and Veneri weighed the importance of retaining Hawaiʻi’s quarterback of the future while also addressing the impact of roster turnover as the Rainbow Warriors prepare for their bowl appearance.

Hawaii Football Final airs every Sunday at 7 p.m. on the KHON+ app, available on Apple TV, Roku and Firestick, with a television rebroadcast Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. on KHON2. An extended version of the show is also released each Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. on major podcast platforms, including Spotify.

The Hawaii Bowl matchup against California for the University of Hawaiʻi football team was the focus of the latest episode of Hawaii Football Final, which premiered Sunday night on the KHON+ app and featured KHON2 Sports Director Rob DeMello and analyst Rich Miano.

DeMello and Miano, a former UH player and coach and 11–year NFL veteran, discussed the Rainbow Warriors’ upcoming appearance in the Sheraton Hawaiʻi Bowl, answered fan questions in the “HFF Mailbox,” and broke down the next steps for the program. An extended version of the show is also released Sunday nights on major podcast platforms, including Spotify. A television rebroadcast airs Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. on KHON2.

Earlier in the week, bowl officials announced the 2025 matchup, which will feature Hawaiʻi against California of the Atlantic Coast Conference on Christmas Eve at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Mānoa. The game has already generated significant interest locally and nationally, fueled in part by a headline coaching storyline — a meeting between two former UH quarterbacks.

Hawaiʻi head coach Timmy Chang will lead the Rainbow Warriors into his first bowl game, opposite former UH quarterback and one-time Warriors head coach Nick Rolovich, who will serve as Cal’s interim head coach.

On the field, the Hawaiʻi Bowl will showcase two Hawaiʻi-born quarterbacks. UH freshman Micah Alejado — recently named Mountain West Freshman of the Year — will face Campbell High School alumnus Jaron-Keāwe Sagapolutele, the 2024 Mariota Award winner.

The matchup is one of several storylines surrounding Hawaiʻi’s return to postseason play, all of which DeMello and Miano examined as the Rainbow Warriors prepare for their Christmas Eve showdown in Honolulu.

The latest episode of Hawaii Football Final, a Hawaii Sports 2Night production hosted by KHON2 Sports Director Rob DeMello and analyst Rich Miano, recapped the University of Hawaiʻi football team’s regular-season-ending 20-point victory over Wyoming on Saturday night at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.

Hawaiʻi rebounded from a 28-point loss at UNLV the previous week with a dominant defensive performance, holding the Cowboys without an offensive touchdown and recording 10 tackles for loss. The Rainbow Warriors also showcased strong execution on offense, powered by the connection between quarterback Micah Alejado and receiver Jackson Harris. Harris caught 153 of Alejado’s 289 passing yards, including a 78-yard touchdown strike that helped ignite momentum.

Special teams contributed to the effort as senior kicker Kansei Matsuzawa, a Lou Groza Award finalist, tied the FBS record for most consecutive field goals to start a season at 25 before missing his first attempt of the year. The milestone came on Senior Night, where 26 players were honored following the game.

With the win, Hawaiʻi secured its eighth victory of the season, marking only the fifth time in the last 20 years the program has reached that mark.

The episode also featured the weekly viewer-submitted “HFF Mailbox” segment and a look ahead at what’s next for the ‘Bows.

Hawaii Football Final premieres every Sunday at 7 p.m. on the KHON+ app, available on Apple TV, Roku and Firestick, with a televised rebroadcast airing Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. on KHON2. An extended version is released at 7:30 p.m. on major podcast platforms, including Spotify.

The latest episode of Hawaii Football Final, a Hawaii Sports 2Night production, premiered Sunday evening on the KHON+ app, where host Rob DeMello and guest analyst John Veneri broke down the University of Hawaiʻi football team’s 38-10 loss to UNLV on Friday night at Allegiant Stadium.

The weekly recap show, which streams at 7 p.m. Sundays on KHON+ and re-airs on television at 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays on KHON2, also features an extended version released at 7:30 p.m. Sundays on major podcast platforms, including Spotify.

Veneri, ESPN Honolulu play-by-play voice, former UH slotback and KHON2 personality joined the show to analyze the rivalry matchup that effectively ended Hawaiʻi’s hopes of reaching the Mountain West championship game.

Hawaiʻi briefly took control early, as quarterback Micah Alejado connected with receiver Jackson Harris for a 70-yard touchdown strike to give the Rainbow Warriors a 7-3 lead. But from there, UNLV dominated, outscoring UH 35-3 the rest of the way and holding the ‘Bows to just 231 total yards of offense.

Rebels quarterback Anthony Colandrea powered the comeback, completing 21 of 26 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns, helping UNLV retain the Golden Pineapple rivalry trophy and securing a key conference victory.

The loss dropped Hawaiʻi out of contention for the league title as the 2025 season enters its final stretch.

The latest episode of Hawaii Football Final, a Hawaii Sports 2Night production, aired Sunday on the KHON+ app.

The University of Hawaii football team completed an idle weekend following the Rainbow Warriors’ dominant 38-6 victory over San Diego State. The win moved Hawai‘i to 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the Mountain West, keeping the program in contention for the conference title with two games remaining in the regular season.

KHON2 Sports Director Rob DeMello was joined by University of Hawai‘i associate head coach and linebackers coach Chris Brown to break down the season’s momentum and preview Friday’s nationally televised rivalry matchup at UNLV. Brown also fielded fan-submitted questions in the weekly “HFF Mailbox” segment.

Despite enjoying a bye week and the energy surrounding Hawai‘i’s signature win over the Aztecs, Brown emphasized that preparation remained the focus as the Rainbow Warriors look to capitalize on additional practice time ahead of the showdown with the Rebels, with both teams battling for positioning near the top of the Mountain West standings.

Hawaii Football Final premieres every Sunday at 7 p.m. on the KHON+ app, available on Apple TV, Roku and Firestick.

A rebroadcast airs Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. on KHON2.

The University of Hawai'i football team delivered one of its most complete performances of the season in a 38-6 rout of previously unbeaten Mountain West opponent San Diego State, a win that headlined the latest episode of Hawaii Football Final, a Hawaii Sports 2Night production.

KHON2 Sports Director Rob DeMello, alongside analyst Rich Miano, a former University of Hawai'i player and coach and 11-year NFL veteran, broke down the victory on the weekly show, which streams Sundays at 7 p.m. on the KHON+ app (available on Apple TV, Roku and Firestick). A televised rebroadcast airs Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. on KHON2, and an extended episode also drops Sundays at 7:30 p.m. on major podcast platforms, including Spotify.

In rainy conditions at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex, Hawai'i (7-3, 4-2 Mountain West) controlled all three phases of the game to keep its conference title hopes alive with two regular-season games remaining.

Rainbow Warriors Receiver Jackson Harris continued his dominant run, extending his 100-yard receiving streak to five games with a 130-yard, three-touchdown first half. All three scores came from quarterback Micah Alejado, who finished with 256 passing yards, 130 of them to Harris.

The Rainbow Warriors defense turned in its most disruptive performance of the year, piling up six tackles for loss and three sacks while forcing a season-high four turnovers. Defensive back Elijah Palmer provided the exclamation point with a pick-six.

And on special teams, Cam Barfield went coast-to-coast, returning a kickoff for a touchdown, the program's first such score in five years.

The episode also fielded fan questions in the weekly "HFF Mailbox" segment and looked ahead to what's next for Hawai'i as the Rainbow Warriors continue to push for a Mountain West championship berth.

The full breakdown is available on Hawaii Football Final, airing weekly across KHON2 platforms.

The latest episode of Hawaii Football Final, a Hawaii Sports 2Night production, broke down the University of Hawaii football team’s 45-38 road loss to San Jose State.

The episode premiered Sunday at 7 p.m. on the KHON+ app, available via Apple TV, Roku, and Firestick. A television rebroadcast airs Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. on KHON2, with an extended podcast version released Sunday nights at 7:30 p.m. on Spotify and other major platforms.

Hosted by KHON2 Sports Director Rob DeMello and analyst Rich Miano, a former University of Hawaii standout, coach, and 11-year NFL veteran, the show recapped a high-scoring matchup in which the Spartans racked up more than 600 yards of total offense. San Jose State wide receiver Danny Scudero, the nation’s leading pass catcher, led the way with 215 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions.

Despite trailing by 17 points in the third quarter, Hawaii mounted a comeback behind quarterback Micah Alejado, who threw for 367 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to receiver Jackson Harris, to pull the Rainbow Warriors within three at 38-35. However, Spartans quarterback Walker Eget sealed the win with a game-clinching drive, finishing with 458 passing yards.

The loss snapped Hawaii’s three-game win streak, dropping the ‘Bows to 6-3 overall and 3-2 in Mountain West play, while San Jose State retained the Dick Tomey Legacy Trophy for a fifth straight year.