The Arizona Wildcats cruised to a season-opening 40-6 victory over the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Saturday night at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona's win marked the first victory for the Wildcats since their 27-3 win over Houston in November.
It's the first time Arizona won a nonconference game without surrendering a touchdown since its 38-3 win over Northern Arizona in 2023.
Arizona extended its season-opening winning streak to four games. Brent Brennan becomes the first Arizona head coach to win their first two season openers since Rich Rodriguez in 2012 and '13.
"When I think about this game tonight, the way I'm going to measure success is redline," Brennan said. "We talk about redline a lot and you guys have heard me talk about it, but I think for us, that's defined simply by effort, execution and accountability. On the effort side, we played really hard. I think that was visible. Sure, there were mistakes, but we played hard in all three phases.
"The execution piece, I think we have a little bit of work to do. I'm excited to look at this film, go to work and we'll be accountable for what we want it to be and the level we want it to be at. But at the end of the day, this was a win for our football team, it was a win for our fans and it was a great night at Arizona Stadium. ... It was a really, really special night at Arizona Stadium."
Arizona scored four rushing touchdowns, the most in a game since scoring four against New Mexico last season. Arizona junior running back Kedrick Reescano scored the Wildcats' first points of the season with a 13-yard touchdown run, which was new offensive coordinator Seth Doege's first drive as the Wildcats' play-caller.
Arizona running back Kedrick Reescano gestures into the stands after dashing almost untouched up the middle for the first score of the night in the first half against Hawaii on Aug. 30 in Tucson.
Arizona's defense was the most notable unit of the night, with five takeaways — the most since the Alamo Bowl in 2023 — and five sacks, the most since its triple-overtime loss to USC in '23. Linebacker Chase Kennedy and defensive lineman Julian Savaiinaea each had fumble recoveries, while linebacker Taye Brown and Gavin Hunter each came up with their first-career interceptions. Backup safety Jack Luttrell, who tied Genesis Smith for the most interceptions (3) last season, grabbed his interception with just under two minutes left.
Hawaii's second-half drives ended in punt, punt, interception, turnover on downs, fumble, interception and interception.
Despite Hawaii dominating time of possession, 35:44-24:16, the Wildcats had more offensive yards, 334-290. Hawaii ran 76 plays, while Arizona only had 56. The Wildcats averaged 6.1 yards per play; Hawaii averaged 3.8. Arizona was also a perfect 5 of 5 in the red zone and produced 24 points off turnovers.
Turning Point
With Arizona ahead 7-3 early in the second quarter, Portland State transfer running back Quincy Craig took his first rushing attempt as a Wildcat 54 yards for a touchdown.
The Wildcats outscored Hawaii 33-3 to end the game.
Offensive MVP
Even though quarterback Noah Fifita showed signs of improvement as a runner, especially with a first-down pickup on fourth-and-2 and a 10-yard rushing touchdown, his first since the West Virginia game last season, the Wildcats' top offensive performer was Craig, who ended with 125 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries, the most since his 137-yard, three-touchdown outing against Northern Colorado.
Defensive MVP
Arizona junior linebacker Taye Brown had the second-most tackles (6) on Saturday. Brown's interception was Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado's first interception since he was a junior at Bishop Gorman High School (Nevada) in 2022.
Unsung Hero
This one is a special teams two-fer.
Punt returner Jeremiah Patterson, who averaged 5.6 yards per return last season, returned the opening punt 41 yards to the Hawaii 47-yard line. Following Patterson's return, the Wildcats put together a four-play touchdown drive over 1:21 that was capped by Reescano's touchdown run.
Sophomore kicker Michael Salgado-Medina, in his first start as Tyler Loop's successor at placekicker, was 2-for-2 kicking field goals and made them 35 and 52 yards out.
Injury Report
Arizona had several players held out for injuries. The most notable absences: defensive back Treydan Stukes, Washington State transfer wide receiver Kris Hutson, tight end Keyan Burnett, linebacker Riley Wilson and cornerback Marquis Groves-Killebrew. Stukes is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered in Arizona's Big 12 opener against Utah last September.
In place of Stukes, Hunter made his first-career start for the Wildcats. Hunter's father, Alfred Hunter, played for the Rainbow Warriors in the 1990s.
Arizona offensive lineman Rhino Tapa'atoutai dressed out and was active, but didn't play. Tapa'atoutai suffered a knee injury against Colorado in October and missed the second half of the 2024 season.
Tight end Tyler Powell limped off the field after the first play and missed the remainder of the game. Powell was seen on the sideline with a leg brace and a crutch. With Powell and Burnett sidelined, Sam Olson played a lion's share of the snaps at tight end.
Alejado, who suffered an ankle injury last week against Stanford, left in the second half and was replaced by backup Luke Weaver, who threw for 66 yards and two interceptions.
What’s Next
Arizona (1-0) will face the Weber State Wildcats (0-1), which lost to James Madison 45-10 on Saturday. The battle of the Wildcats at Arizona Stadium is on Saturday at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
Photos: Arizona opens at home with a 40-6 win over Hawaii
Arizona defensive lineman Tre Smith (3), left, Tiaoalii Savea (98) and linebacker Max Harris (4) knock Hawaii running back Landon Sims (30) out of his helmet and dropping him for a loss in the second quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona defensive back Ayden Garnes (9) makes the stretch off a block to get a hand on Hawaii wide receiver Pofele Ashlock (5) and slow him down after a catch in the first quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona wide receiver Isaiah Mizell (17) makes a one-handed catch of his own deflected pass against Hawaii in the second quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener, Aug. 30.
Arizona running back Kedrick Reescano gestures into the stands after dashing almost untouched up the middle for the first score of the night in the first half against Hawaii on Aug. 30 in Tucson.
Arizona running back Quincy Craig (24) dives for the pylon to beat three Hawaii defenders to the end zone for the second Wildcat touchdown of the night in the second quarter of the season opener, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona wide receiver Javin Whatley (6) makes the most of his two steps behind Hawaii defensive back Elijah Palmer (4) to get the Wildcats inside the ten in the second quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona wide receiver Brandon Phelps (18) gestures for a first down after hauling a bomb to the get the Wildcats in the Red Zone against Hawaii in the third quarter, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan tries to make his point to the officials after the Wildcats were penalized in the third quarter of the season opener against Hawaii, Aug. 30, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Hawaii wide receiver Jackson Harris (9) uses his half-step on Arizona defensive back Michael Dansby (25) to cradle a first down catch during the third quarter, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona defensive lineman Deshawn McKnight (0) celebrates dropping Hawaii running back Cam Barfield (0) for a loss on a stand in the third quarter, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona defensive lineman Julian Savaiinaea (41) tosses the ball away in celebration after recovering it on a Hawaii fumble, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona defensive back Johno Price (21) gets a hand to knock away the ball and keep Hawaii wide receiver Brandon White (1) from a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona defensive lineman Tre Smith (3) flushes Hawaii quarterback Luke Weaver (2) out of the pocket in the fourth quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener, Aug. 30, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona defensive back Gavin Hunter (23) can’t keep Hawaii wide receiver Tama Uiliata (8) from an over the shoulder catch into the red zone, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona running back Quincy Craig (24) kicks his way free of Hawaii defensive back Kona Moore (2) to tack on more yardage on a fourth-quarter run, Aug. 30, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona defensive lineman Chancellor Owens (90) lets go a big yell after a sack in the fourth quarter on Hawaii, Aug. 30, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona tight end Sam Olson (84) flips the ball to the back judge after scoring a TD on a wide open catch in the back of the end zone in the third quarter versus Hawaii, Aug. 30, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona defensive lineman Leroy Palu (95) brings down Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado (12) in a collapsing pocket for a sack, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
UA quarterback Noah Fifita (1) can’t outrun Hawaii defensive lineman Jackie Johnson III (57) who drags him down for a sack, Aug. 30, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona linebacker Taye Brown (6), center, draws a happy crowd as defensive linemen Mays Pese (99), left, and Julian Savaiinaea (41) celebrate his intercepting of Hawaii in the third quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener, Aug. 30, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita points skyward after scrambling for a touchdown vs. Hawaii during the third quarter of the season opener, Aug. 30.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1) skips through the line and Hawaii defensive lineman Jamar Sekona (77) on a keeper in the season opener, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona wide receiver Gio Richardson (5) loses his grip on a circus catch, slamming into the ground in the arms of Hawaii defensive back Elijah Palmer (4) in the third quarter, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Hawaii defensive lineman De'Jon Benton (79) rides Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1) to the ground, sacking him in the fourth quarter of the game, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona running back Quincy Craig (24) doesn’t quite tightrope his way down the line as Hawaii defensive back Kona Moore (2) flies in to stop him short of the goal line in the fourth quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona running back Ismail Mahdi (21) gets hi-lowed by Hawaii defensive back Semaj James (0), top, and defensive back Justin Sinclair (21) stopping his run around end in the fourth quarter, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona running back Kedrick Reescano (3) gets hauled down by the top of his helmet in a scrum of Hawaii defenders in the first quarter of the game, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona linebacker Chase Kennedy comes out with the ball after recovering a Hawaii fumble during the second quarter, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona defensive back Gavin Hunter gets a congratulatory hug and yell from coach James Perez after his heavy hit dislodged the ball and kept Hawaii from a first down catch during the second quarter, Aug. 30, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona defensive back Ayden Garnes (9) flies in and upends a Hawaii receiver in the second quarter, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
It’s hot in the horn section as the Pride of Arizona performs before kickoff against Hawaii in Arizona’s season opener, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1) stands in as the line buys him time to throw against Hawaii, Aug. 30.
Hawaii linebacker Jamih Otis (11) gets away with a jersey tug as he keeps Arizona tight end Sam Olson (84) from getting his hands on a throw over the middle, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona coach Brent Brennan flashes the Wildcat hand sign to fans as he and the team make their way to Arizona Stadium in the “Wildcat Walk” before their game against Hawaii for the season opener, Aug. 30, 2025.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1), left, greets former Wildcat and current Dolphin offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea at the end the Wildcat Walk before the Wildcats’ season opener against Hawaii, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Former Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan gets some high fives during the Wildcat Walk to the team’s season opener versus Hawaii on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Hevynn Heimuli, left, and Tavita Iereneo dance to Drew Cooper’s performance at the Bear Down Bash on Bear Down field, the pre-game party before Arizona’s season opening game against Hawaii, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Former Arizona kicker Tyler Loop leads the team out for the coin toss as an honorary caption for the team’s game Hawaii, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Former Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan poses for a photo with mayor Regina Romero along the sidelines in the first quarter of the Wildcats game with Hawaii, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Former Arizona defensive back Randy Robbins walks off the field with athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois following his induction in the ring of fame during a break in action of the game against Hawaii, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
The Pride of Arizona takes the field for the pre-game entertainment as the Wildcats prepare to face Hawaii to open their season, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
