Hawaii opened the 2025 season with a thrilling 23-20 win over Stanford on Saturday to cap off Week 0 action. Hawaii kicker Kansei Matsuzawa drilled a 38-yard field goal with no time remaining to give the Rainbow Warriors their first win over a Power Four team since 2019.
Hawaii (1-0) had lost its last nine games against Power Four opponents and was 0-4 prior to this weekend all-time against Stanford (0-1). The Cardinal jumped out to a 10-0 advantage midway through the first quarter, highlighted by a defensive touchdown by Wilfredo Aybar.
The star of the show was Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado, who finished with 210 yards and two touchdowns in his second career start. Alejado appeared to injure his ankle during the opening minutes of the third quarter but stayed in the remainder of the game.
Stanford running back Micah Ford also had a day to remember. He ran for 113 yards on 26 attempts and scored that touchdown to cap off the drive that stretched nearly 10 minutes. The rushing touchdown by Ford was quite significant, as Stanford’s running backs last season scored zero touchdowns on the ground.
Quick hitters
- Stanford has now lost six consecutive road games dating back to last season, the most since 2002.
- Hawaii recorded its first win over Stanford after dropping the last four games. That included a 37-24 loss in 2023.
- Stanford dropped to 13-5 in its last 18 season-openers, while Hawaii improved to 22-5 in its last 27.
- Hawaii WR Pofele Ashlock finished with nine catches for 69 yards and a touchdown. Alejado connected with eight different pass catchers and finished 27 of 39 on the day.
- Hawaii WR Jackson Harris hauled in the second touchdown pass of the day from Alejado with 42 seconds remaining in the first half. Harris played at Stanford during the 2024 season.
