‘Bows prepare to host a San Jose State team with Hawaii connections

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The University of Hawaii football team is recollecting themselves after falling to Wyoming last weekend.

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UH is a team that prides itself on being resilient as they search for their first Mountain West win of the year.

“We never really get down, everybody goes through hard things in life,” UH running back Cam Barfield said. “We’re just going through a hard time here, just being able to push through that.”

The ‘Bows now welcome San Jose State to Ching field.

The Spartans currently hold the Dick Tomey legacy trophy and have beaten the ‘Bows the last five meetings.

“We lost last year so we gotta get our get back,” UH linebacker Wynden Ho’ohuli said. “Its gonna be a big game for us, we’re not where we (want to) be, we still find the joy in what we gotta do.”

Rivalries aside, the team is focusing on their side of the ball as they try to change the course of the season.

“For us it’s another game. I think for us it, it’s about us, you know, we’re 1-3 right now,” UH head coach Timmy Chang said. “It’s about us, and so all respect to the coaches there and the players that are from here, but we’re the University of Hawaii, and we’re gonna represent the University of Hawaii.”

It’s hard to ignore the connections between the two programs, with SJSU boasting a roster and coaching staff littered with Hawaii ties.

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Starting with the head coach, Ken Niumatalolo, who played for the ‘Bows in the late 1980s.

There are also six coaches with Hawaii ties on the Spartans staff, including offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann and his brother, wide receivers coach Billy Ray — both were UH star receivers.

Coach Niumatalolo understands the environment he’s leading his Spartans squad into on Saturday.

“It’s going to be a tough battle,” Niumatalolo said. “Hawaii’s tough to beat at home and so we’re looking forward to this challenge, but we know it’s going to be a great challenge for us.”

The Spartans have five Hawaii-born players on the roster, and on top of that, Luke Weaver is now the San Jose State quarterback.

Weaver was UH’s backup QB last year, and the Hawaii Bowl hero leads the conference in passing yards and touchdowns.

“Luke is a quick learner; he’s got ice in his veins, and you guys know that from him being able to go out there and win football games last year,” SJSU offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann said. “He acts like a pro, he treats everybody well, he matches our culture because he’s hardworking.”

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The ‘Bows and the Spartans face off this Saturday.

Coverage on K5 begins at 5:30 p.m. Hawaii time.