‘Bows get first win of 2026, downing New Mexico State 29-19

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Univeristy of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors are winless no more after earning their first win of 2026 against New Mexico State University Saturday.

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The ‘Bows downed the Aggies 29-19 to break their two-game losing streak and avoid going 0-3 into their first bye week.

“We didn’t want to go 0-3,” UH Head Coach Timmy Chang said. “Going into a bye week and not having had a win and all that, that was the last-case scenario.”

Chang said they’ll continue to work on the details to get better into the bye week and for the rest of the season.

“All the details we continue to harp on. It’s going to show up in all the games we play,” he said. “I do like what I see out there, growth. Having this win really helps.”

‘Bows quarterback Micah Alejado completed 33 of 45 passes and had over 346 passing yards, his sixth 300-plus passing performance of his career.

UH scored early to start the first half with a touchdown from running back DeVon Rice, followed by a field goal from Sean Olvera-Harle. Rice then hurdled into the end zone, 13-0.

The ‘Bows defense forced a fumble on the Aggies’ first possession after Trey Hedden stripped the ball and Jamih Otis recovered at UH’s 36.

The Aggies picked up 13 while the ‘Bows got another field goal to end the half, 19-13.

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During the third, Alejado took a hard hit from the Aggies, resulting in an 84-yard fumble return. A missed extra point, blocked by UH, tied the game at 19 all.

Alejado stayed in the game and Olvera-Harle kicked another field goal to retake the lead, 22-19.

With under six minutes to go, on fourth and five in the red zone, Tama Uiliata lined up at quarterback and threw to Frank Abreu for a touchdown plus extra point gave UH a 10-point lead, 29-19.

The UH defense held up again, with Otis intercepting NMSU with less than four minutes of play to seal the win.

Uiliata finished the night with a career-high 10 receptions for 107 yards and a 7-yard touchdown pass.

The former Waipahu High School quarterback said he missed playing quarterback every now and then.

“I heard the call, and it’s big having Coach Chang, the whole offense, having that trust in me. Go out there and execute. But being back there feels good,” Uiliata said.

The ‘Bows now head into a bye week before heading on the road to resume the Mountain West schedule, set to take on Wyoming.

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