Know Wyoming's Foe: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

LARAMIE -- Don't expect 59 rushing attempts this week.

Though Micah Alejado can utilize his legs, Hawaii's southpaw is more likely to carve you up through the air.

If an average of 270 passing yards a game isn't daunting enough, Wyoming's defense will also be shorthanded in the secondary. A pair of hand procedures are on deck for cornerbacks Tyson Shamsid-Deen and Kendall Griffin, who are both expected to miss an extended period.

Uh-oh.

"Those are very big losses," said freshman corner Therman "Boogie" Williams. "They are both very talented people, so it's not only a big thing on me to make sure that I step up, but the other guys in the room. We all have to step up, even the coaches."

Wyoming is currently ranked 27th in the nation in pass defense, but that stat is misleading. Central Michigan, who rolled to an easy 24-10 victory last Saturday in soggy Mount Pleasant, put the ball in the air just seven times, completing four of those for 32 yards.

Who needs to throw when you can bully?

The Chippewas amassed 339 yards on the ground. Flores capped a career day against the Cowboys with 163 yards and two scores on just 28 carries. Hawaii's leading rusher, DeVon Rice, for example, has rushed for 167 yards and three touchdowns on 42 attempts.

The Rainbow Warriors will instead likely lean on a trio of wideouts -- Kainoa Carvalho, Tama Uiliata and Audric Harris -- who already have more than 130 receiving yards through three games.

Alejado connected on 34-of-46 throws for 353 yards in Hawaii's last outing, a 29-19 win over visiting New Mexico State. He has already attempted 137 passes. Tyler Hughes, on the other hand, sits at 75.

"It's a completely different style," Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel said, adding he was disappointed in his defense at CMU from a "schematic standpoint," allowing the QB power to dominate throughout. "Hawaii doesn't run that ... They are a great opponent. Coach (Timmy) Chang does a great job. They've got a really good quarterback with Micah Alejado and the rest of their team."

Weak-side linebacker Gary Rutherford led the Cowboys last week with 13 tackles. He said the key this Saturday is to play as one. Having his running mate, Ethan Stuhlsatz (ankle), back in the mix, certainly would hurt matters. His status is currently unknown, though Sawvel said he is hopeful the senior will get the green light.

"It just falls back on us playing as a full defense," Rutherford added. "You know, playing every snap -- one play at a time -- and don't worry if you mess up. If you do, then you still have 10 other people that are on the field with you, right? If you mess up, you mess up.

"Just go have fun, as a team."

The Rainbow Warriors are coming off an early bye week. That layoff allowed one of their best defenders to get right. Lesterlaisene Lagafuaina will re-enter the lineup after suffering an injury in the first half of a season-opening loss at Stanford.

What does the 6-foot-4, 245-pound edge rusher expect in Laramie?

"I expect a lot of violence from our side and a lot of violence from their side," he told local reporters on Tuesday. "But, it's like, who really wants it on that day? I feel like we have that. We want it more. Me, I've been out a long time, yeah. But I want it more, too. Collectively, as a group, everyone wants it more. That's how you gotta win that game, by wanting it more than that person."

Lagafuaina helped Hawaii's defense hold Wyoming's offense off the scoreboard in a dominating 27-7 victory on the islands. He finished with five tackles and limited the visitors to just 54 yards on the ground on 28 rushing attempts.

Chang said one aspect of Christian Taylor's unit has stood out on film, and it should come to the surprise of no one around these parts.

"Tight ends have been very productive," Hawaii's coach said Tuesday, referring to Kyle Frendt and Jake Wilson, who have a combined 16 catches for 245 yards and a touchdown. "You know, they are going to run block, they're going to block on the perimeter and then they're going to catch the ball, whether you're screening to them, whether they're (using) play action or running down the seam. That's something that's a weapon for them."

These two programs will meet Saturday for the 30th time. Wyoming holds a 17-12 advantage in the series. Wyoming and Hawaii also play for the Paniolo Trophy, a sculpture of a cowboy preparing to lasso a calf. That tradition started in 1979.

Meet the Rainbow Warriors:

* Head coach: Timmy Chang (5th year) 23-31 overall, 13-19 in MW play

* Offensive coordinator: Anthony Arceneaux (2nd year) and ; Defensive coordinator: Dennis Thurman (3rd year)

* Record in 2025: 1-2 overall, 0-1 in Mountain West

* Offense in 2026: Average 20.7 ppg, 346.3 ypg (77 rush, 269.3 pass)

* Defense in 2026: Allow 25.7 ppg, 404 ypg (176.7 rush, 227.3 pass)

* Key Returners/ Newcomers - Offense: Micah Alejado (QB - 81-137, 794 yds, 2 TD, INT; 17 rush, minus-5 yds), DeVon Rice (RB - 42 rush, 167 yds, 3 TD; 10 catch, 53 yds, TD), Kainoa Carvalho (WR - 15 catch, 180 yds), Tama Uiliata (WR - 18 catch, 169 yds, TD), Audric Harris (WR - 8 catch, 134 yds)

* Key Returners - Defense: Kona Moore (DB - 30 tackles, 2 PBU), Jamih Otis (S - 26 tackles, INT, FR), Matagi Thompson (DB - 15 tackles, 5 PBU), Elijah Palmer (DB - 13 tackles, sack, FF), Geoffrey Speight Jr. (DL - 10 tackles), Wynden Ho'ohuli (LB - 9 tackles, PBU, FF), Jaylon Edmond (DB - 8 tackles, 2 PBU, INT), Jeremiah Hughes (DB - 7 tackles, 3 PBU), Ozzy Pollard (DL - 6 tackles)

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* Hawaii Notebook: About Those UW Receivers

* Wyoming Loses Starting Center for Season With Injury

* Behind the Numbers: Missed Tackles Mount in Mitten

* Making the Grade: What's Up With Wyoming's Wideouts?

* Pokes Gashed on Ground in 24-10 Setback at CMU

* Turning Point, Unsung Hero and What's Next for UW Football

* Rants and Raves: CMU Chippewas Edition

* FINAL LIVE FILE: Central Michigan 24, Wyoming 10

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