Following a bye week, Utah State returns to action by returning to conference play. The Aggies will travel the nearly 3,000 miles to face Hawaii in the Aloha State. Should USU win, it would mark the first time since 2019 that the Aggies have started Mountain West play 2-0.
Here’s all the information you’ll need, basic game info to player availability, quick stats and predictions from Cache Valley Media Group staff.
Game Info:
- Kickoff: 10:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
- Location: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex (Manoa, HI)
- TV Broadcast/Stream: Mountain West Network mobile app
- Radio: KVNU (102.1 FM, 610 AM), kvnutalk.com, KVNU mobile app
KVNU Aggie Gameday pregame show with Stockton Jewkes and J.D. Walker: Begins 8 p.m. on 102.1 FM, 610 AM
KVNU Aggie Call Postgame: Starts immediately after Coach Bronco Mendenhall’s post-game comments.
- Text (435) 554-1175 or call (435) 753-5868 during the pregame or postgame show to give your thoughts and reactions for the game.
Availability Report
The following is the official availability report submitted by both Utah State and Hawaii earlier this week. It will be updated three hours prior to the scheduled kickoff time.
Utah State Availability Report (Week 7)
| Player | Position | Status (Duration) |
|---|---|---|
| Chika Ebunoha | S | OUT (Full Game) |
| Jake Eichorn | OL | OUT (Full Game) |
| Enoka Migao | DE | OUT (Full Game) |
| Carl Nesmith | DE | OUT (Full Game) |
| Nu’uletau Sellesin | OLB | OUT (Full Game) |
| Corey Thompson Jr. | WR | OUT (Full Game) |
| Chase Tuatagaloa | TE | OUT (Full Game) |
| Courage Ugo | CB | OUT (Full Game) |
| Caysen Whittaker | OL | OUT (Full Game) |
| Jack Hadfield | CB | OUT (Season) |
| Demick Starling | WR | OUT (Season) |
| Clyde Tualapapa | RB | OUT (Season) |
Hawaii Availability Report (Week 7)
| Player | Position | Status (Duration) |
|---|---|---|
| Pofele Ashlock | WR | Questionable |
| De’jon Benton | DL | Questionable |
| Kainoa Carvalho | WR | Questionable |
| Nick Cenacle | WR | Questionable |
| Joey Farthing | WR | Questionable |
| Erik Atkins | OL | OUT (Full Game) |
| Alan Cordano | WR | OUT (Full Game) |
| Jordan Kernaghan | OL | OUT (Full Game) |
| Ezekiel Salanoa | OL | OUT (Full Game) |
| Oakie Salave’a | TE | OUT (Full Game) |
| Tasi Tadio | LB | OUT (Full Game) |
| Josh Tavui | OL | OUT (Full Game) |
| Jordon Fetu | DB | OUT (Season) |
| Jarvis Heimuli | WR | OUT (Season) |
Utah State will be without starting left tackle Jake Eichorn but appears to be returning right tackle Trey Andersen who has missed the last three games after going down with an injury during Utah State’s matchup with Texas A&M. Ike Larsen is also no longer listed as out, having been reinstated to the team last week, ending a seven-week suspension.
Hawaii has two notable players on its availability report listed as questionable, wide receiver Pofele Ashlock and defensive tackle De’Jon Benton. Ashlock is the Warriors’ leading receiver (38 receptions, 355 yards) while Benton has been one of the more impactful defenders on the team as an interior D-lineman. He has 5.0 TFLs and 1.0 sacks this season.
Offense and Defense Rankings
FEI Adjusted Offensive Efficiency
- Utah State: 60th
- Hawaii: 119th
FEI Adjusted Defensive Efficiency
- Utah State: 118th
- Hawaii: 92nd
Stat Leaders
Passing Leaders
- Utah State: Bryson Barnes — 85/129 (65.9%), 1,143 yards, 11 TD, 1 INT
- Hawaii: Micah Alejado — 108/164 (65.9%), 1,043 yards, 6 TD, 4 INT
Rushing Leaders
- Utah State: Miles Davis — 50 attempts, 314 yards (6.3 yds/att), 2 TD
- Hawaii: Landon Sims — 59 attempts, 241 yards (4.1 yds/att), 1 TD
Receiving Leaders
- Utah State: Braden Pegan — 24 receptions, 369 yards (15.4 yds/rec), 4 TD
- Hawaii: Pofele Ashlock — 38 receptions, 355 yards (9.3 yds/rec), 3 TD
Defensive Leaders
- Utah State: John Miller — 48 tackles (14 solo), 6.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks
- Hawaii: Peter Manuma — 33 tackles (15 solo), 1.0 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 4 passes defended
History of Utah State vs Hawaii
- All-Time Series: Utah State leads 13-6
- Series During MW era: Utah State leads 7-0
- Most Recent Meeting: Nov. 16, 2024 (Utah State won 55-10)
After a couple straight weeks of playing teams for the first time, Utah State gets back to taking on a familiar opponent, and it’s won where success has been abundant. The Aggies haven’t lost to Hawaii since 2010, a time before either school joined the Mountain West. It’s been eight consecutive victories by Utah State, and the margins have typically been rather wide (see below).
Quick Facts to Know
- In Utah State’s last eight games against Hawaii (all wins), the average margin of victory has been 26.4 points, with six of those eight contests being decided by 20 or more points.
- Utah State has scored at least 35 points in every game against Hawaii since 2011
- A win would make Utah State 2-0 in MW play for the first time since 2019 and just the fourth time since joining the conference (2013, 2015 and 2019)
- USU quarterback Bryson Barnes ranks first in the Mountain West in seven statistical categories and is second in the nation in points responsible for per game (21.2). He also ranks third in the nation in total touchdowns (17)
- Hawaii’s 44 points last week against Air Force was its highest scoring output of the Timmy Chang era (since 2022).
- Hawaii QB Micah Alejado is the only quarterback to have multiple games of 450+ yards and 3+ touchdowns since the start of the 2024 season.
- Hawaii placekicker Kansei Matsuzawa has made each of his last 17 field goals, dating back to last season, and is a perfect 16-for-16 this season.
Game Prediction
Here are the score predictions from Cache Valley Media Group staff, including Eric Frandsen and Jason Walker of the Full Court Press (4-6 p.m. weekdays on 106.9 FM, 1390 AM The FAN), along with Craig Hislop of KVNU, and Stockton Jewkes and J.D. Walker of the KVNU Aggie Gameday pregame show. Included are the season record and prediction metric score for each individual. The prediction score is on a scale of 0-1.
Jason Walker (5-0 overall, .548 prediction score) — Utah State wins 37-31
Craig Hislop (5-0, .536 prediction score) — Utah State wins 38-24
Eric Frandsen (5-0, .536 prediction score) — Utah State wins 38-34
Stockton Jewkes (5-0, .456 prediction score) — Utah State wins 41-27
J.D. Walker (4-1, .480 prediction score) — Utah State wins 45-33
