Eric Boggs 
The Hawaii defense pursues the Delaware State ball carrier during their 2024 season opener.
Hawaii opened their season with a hard-fought 35-14 victory over Delaware State on a wet and windy Sunday night at the Clarence TC Ching Athletics Complex. Despite the challenging weather conditions, the Rainbow Warriors showcased resilience and determination, securing the win in their season opener.
Quarterback Brayden Schager played a pivotal role, finishing the game with 17 completions on 34 attempts for 203 yards and two touchdowns. He also added two rushing touchdowns, including a critical 15-yard run that put Hawaii ahead for good at 21-14 midway through the third quarter. Schager’s confidence was evident after the game, as he emphasized the importance of bouncing back from early mistakes and finding ways to score. “I think good teams will find a way to win even when it’s scrappy,” Schager said. “We had some hiccups in the first half, but we started to get better in the second half.”
The Hawaii defense, under new coordinator Dennis Thurman, was a standout unit, limiting Delaware State to just 14 points and forcing six three-and-outs on the Hornets’ first seven possessions. Linebacker Jamih Otis led the defensive charge with a game and career-high 11 tackles, earning praise from head coach Timmy Chang, who called his performance “game ball worthy.”
Special teams also made a significant impact, with Tylan Hines returning a punt 44 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter to give Hawaii a 14-0 lead. Hines’ electrifying return provided an early spark and set the tone for the Rainbow Warriors.
Delaware State managed to tie the game at 14-14 early in the third quarter, but Hawaii responded with 21 unanswered points to seal the victory. Schager connected with Dekel Crowdus for a 29-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to 28-14. He then capped the scoring with a 1-yard TD run with just over three minutes remaining.
Delaware State’s offense struggled to find consistency, with quarterback Marqui Adams completing 17 of 28 passes for 156 yards and a rushing touchdown. Running back Jaden Sutton added 56 yards on 12 carries, including a 6-yard TD run that tied the game in the third quarter.
With this season-opening win, Hawaii now turns its attention to a challenging week one matchup against UCLA, a new member of the Big Ten Conference.
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