Inside The Wildcats

Arizona vs. Hawaii Live Game Thread

Arizona will host Hawaii in its season opener on Saturday at Arizona Stadium. It is the second game of the season for the Rainbow Warriors.
Ari Koslow|
Arizona entering the stadium for its opening game against Hawaii
Arizona entering the stadium for its opening game against Hawaii | (Photo credit | Arizona Athletics)

Tucson, Ariz. -- Arizona is set to host Hawaii in its season opener Saturday night at Arizona Stadium.

Coming off a down season last year, the Wildcats will be looking to bounce back in the second year of the Brent Brennan era in Tucson.

Hawaii will be playing its second game of the season after beating Stanford 23-20 last week on a game-winning field goal as time expired.

UA QB
Nov 30, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (11) against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the Territorial Cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The big development out of that game for the Rainbow Warriors was QB Micah Alejado appearing to get his foot rolled over. He was able to finish the game and is expected to be good to go for Saturday night against the Wildcats.

"This is a great opportunity," Brennan said to the media earlier this week. "It's going to be a great night here at Arizona Stadium. I'm excited for our fans (and) for the students to show up. I think (one) important thing that the city of Tucson, our University, our alumni and fans need to know is that we can't do it without you."

Both Arizona and Hawaii will be honoring  legendary coach Dick Tomey as it's the first time the two programs have played since he passed away in 2019.

Saturday's game is set for 7:30 p.m. and can be watched on TNT.

Be sure to follow along with our live game thread for updates throughout the contest.

START OF THE FIRST QUARTER

  • Hawaii: Arizona’s defense forces a three-and-out to open the game. Jeremiah Patterson runs the punt back 43 yards into Hawaii territory. 
  • SCORING UPDATE NO. 1: Arizona running back Kedrick Reescano runs it in for a 13-yard rushing touchdown. The Wildcats with an early 7-0 lead.
  • Drive Summary: (4 plays, 47 yards, TOP: 1:21) 
  • SCORING UPDATE NO. 2: Hawaii makes the 33-yard field goal attempt to make the score 7-3 Arizona. 
  • Drive Summary: (15 plays, 59 yards, TOP: 7:23)

START OF THE SECOND QUARTER

  • TURNOVER: Wildcat LB Chase Kennedy strips sacks Hawaii's Alejando forcing a fumble and he recovers the fumble. 
  • SCORING UPDATE NO. 3: Arizona running back Quincy Craig runs it in for a 54-yard rushing touchdown. UA leads 14-3. 
  • Drive Summary: (2 plays, 54 yards, TOP: 0:33)
  • SCORING UPDATE NO. 4: Arizona kicker Michael Salgado-Medina's field goal from 35 yards out is good. Wildcats extend their lead to 17-3.

(2-MINUTE TIMEOUT)

  • SCORING UPDATE NO. 5: Hawaii makes the 41-yard field goal as time expires.
  • Drive Summary: (Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, TOP: 4:31) 

HALFTIME: Arizona with a 17-6 lead

START OF THE THIRD QUARTER

  • BIG PLAY: Arizona QB Noah Fifita finds wide receiver Brandon Phelps down field for a 42-yard reception.
  • SCORING UPDATE NO. 6: Arizona finds tight end Sam Olson in the back of the end zone for the 5-yard touchdown.
  • Drive Summary: (6 plays, 65 yards, TOP: 2:09)
  • TURNOVER: Hawaii QB Micah Alejado is intercepted by Arizona LB Taye Brown to set-up the Wildcats in the red zone.
  • SCORING UPDATE NO. 7: Arizona QB Noah Fifita runs it in for a 10-yard touchdown.
  • Drive Summary: (2 plays, 10 yards, TOP: 0:47)
  • TURNOVER: Arizona stuffs Hawaii RB Cam Barfield on a 4th-and-1 run for a two-yard loss to give UA the ball back.
  • TURNOVER: Arizona forces a fumble deep inside Hawaii territory. The fumble is recovered by DT Julian Savaiinaea.

START OF THE FOURTH FOURTH QUARTER

  • SCORING UPDATE NO. 8: Arizona kicker Michael Salgado-Medina's field goal from 52 yards out is good. Wildcats extend their lead to 34-6. 

(4 plays, -10 yards, TOP: 2:10)

  • TURNOVER: Hawaii QB Micah Alejado is intercepted by S Gavin Hunter. He returned the interception 28 yards.
  • SCORING UPDATE NO. 9: Arizona running back Ismail Mahdi runs it in for a 5-yard rushing touchdown. UA leads 40-6.

Please be sure to share your thoughts on how the game went for Arizona. To do so, follow us on our X account by clicking on the link.

Published | Modified
Ari Koslow
ARI KOSLOW

Ari Koslow is a sports writer covering the University of Arizona athletics at On SI. Koslow has been covering Arizona sports for several years. Born and raised in Seattle, he is a diehard Seahawks fan and a longtime sufferer of the Mariners. He is a huge fantasy football fanatic. Koslow is a graduate of Arizona’s School of Journalism.