In a heart-pounding showdown on Saturday night, Hawaii emerged victorious over Colorado State with a final score of 27-24. Brayden Schager, the star quarterback, showcased his talent by completing 30 out of 43 passes for an impressive 320 yards and a touchdown. The game reached its climax when Matthew Shipley sealed the victory for Hawaii with a remarkable 51-yard field goal as time expired.
The game-deciding play came on a crucial third-and-3 situation. With the clock ticking down, Schager connected with Chuuky Hines for an 11-yard gain, setting up Shipley's game-winning field goal. It was a moment of pure brilliance that secured the win for Hawaii.
Colorado State started the game strong, taking the opening kickoff and marching 75 yards in just nine plays. Justin Marshall's 21-yard touchdown run, followed by Jordan Noyes' 22-yard field goal, gave the Rams an early 10-7 lead with 9:27 remaining in the second quarter. However, Hawaii quickly responded with a swift five-play, 75-yard drive, resulting in Tauaefa's first career touchdown just three minutes later.
The momentum shifted in the third quarter when Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala ran for an 8-yard touchdown, extending Hawaii's lead to 24-10. Shipley continued to shine, adding a 35-yard field goal with 13:32 left on the clock.
But Colorado State was not ready to surrender. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, the Rams' quarterback, threw a remarkable 17-yard touchdown pass to Louis Brown IV, bringing the score to 24-16. Although the 2-point conversion attempt failed, Fowler-Nicolosi and Tory Horton connected on a sensational 70-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-8. The dynamic duo then successfully completed the 2-point conversion, tying the game at 24-all with just 54 seconds remaining.
Fowler-Nicolosi finished the game with an impressive 317 yards passing and two touchdowns, while Marshall contributed 94 yards rushing on 20 carries. Horton also had a standout performance, amassing a remarkable 186 yards receiving on nine catches for Colorado State.
Overall, it was a nail-biting contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Hawaii's victory showcased Schager's exceptional skills and Shipley's clutch performance. With this win, Hawaii improves to 4-8 (2-5 Mountain West), leaving the Colorado State Rams with a 5-7 (3-5 Mountain West) record.
