Hawaii enters the matchup with a 5-2 overall record and sits at 2-1 in Mountain West play. Colorado State, meanwhile, struggles with a 2-4 overall record and 1-1 in conference action.
**Rainbow Warriors Offense**
– WO-9 Jackson Harris | 6-3, 205, So.
– SB-5 Pofele Ashlock | 6-2, 185, Jr.
– LT-52 Dean Briski | 6-5, 300, Jr.
– LG-58 Zhen Sotelo | 6-2, 310, Sr.
– C-57 Ethan Spencer | 6-2, 295, Jr.
– RG-59 Kuao Peihopa | 6-3, 290, Sr.
– RT-70 James Milovale | 6-6, 320, Sr.
– SB-3 Nick Cenacle | 6-2, 200, Sr.
– WO-11 Karsyn Pupunu | 6-3, 205, Sr.
– QB-12 Micah Alejado | 5-10, 180, Fr.
– RB-30 Landon Sims | 6-2, 220, Sr.
Since returning to full health, freshman quarterback Micah Alejado has been the catalyst for the Warriors’ offense. Over the last two games, Alejado has orchestrated 10 touchdowns and six field goals across 24 full drives. Versatile and dynamic, Alejado averaged 6.4 yards on non-sack runs against Utah State and confidently released deep passes on rollouts and from the pocket.
The offense has also benefited from slotback Nick Cenacle’s return and the breakout performances of wide receiver Jackson Harris, who has averaged 18.6 yards per catch in the last two games. Running backs Cam Barfield and Landon Sims have also emerged as reliable receiving options out of the backfield. Over the past four games, Barfield has hauled in 13 of 14 targets.
Barfield shares his mindset on catching: “I’m trying to catch it with my eyes, see everything all the way in. Lock the hands, lock the wrists, and always try to catch it with your hands instead of against the body. You have to strain for the perfect technique. When you focus on the little things, big things happen.” To hone his skills, Barfield practices catching tennis balls off walls and trains diligently with the receivers. “Always being around a ball,” he said.
Landon Sims has been equally impressive, securing 23 of 27 passes thrown his way with only one drop this season. Primarily utilized as a backfield blocker and dive runner, Sims’ receptions have mostly been on short routes, including middle screens and check-down passes. “How do we do it?” Sims said. “See the ball, catch the ball. You block everything out and focus on the ball.”
Special teams coordinator Thomas Sheffield lauds Sims’ tenacity and grit, qualities that see him play on six special teams units. “Landon Sims is a bad ass,” Sheffield remarked. “I don’t know how else to say it. I trust Landon with my life, my family’s life. When push comes to shove, Landon is going to sell out for this football team. He joined as a walk-on four years ago, and now he’s turned into a monster of a man on this football team.”
Sheffield highlighted Sims’ aggressive touchdown run against Utah State as a perfect example of his commitment and fearless playing style. “That run says everything you need to know about Landon,” Sheffield said.
**Rainbow Warriors Defense**
– DE-51 Lester Lagafuaina | 6-4, 240, So.
– DT-79 De’Jon Benton | 6-2, 270, Gr.
– DT-77 Jamar Sekona | 6-2, 275, Sr.
– DE-5 Tariq Jones | 6-2, 245, Sr.
– DLB-3 Jalen Smith | 6-0, 220, Sr.
– MLB-11 Jamih Otis | 5-11, 220, Jr.
– NB-4 Elijah Palmer | 5-8, 180, Jr.
– CB-24 Devyn King | 5-11, 175, Sr.
– S-1 Peter Manuma | 6-0, 205, Sr.
– S-8 Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen | 6-1, 170, Sr.
– CB-23 Virdel Edwards II | 6-2, 210, Sr.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman has implemented the “KILL” approach—“keep it learnable and likable”—drawing on his NFL experience with teams like the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, and Buffalo Bills. A unique element introduced by Thurman is the “cheetah scheme,” where defenders line up walking upright rather than in a traditional three-point stance before the snap.
This approach creates confusion for opposing offensive lines, especially in identifying linebacker Jamih Otis, who roams among the defensive front like a “Where’s Waldo” figure. Otis’ pre-snap movement often forces the offense to pause and reorient, effectively adding a crucial second to the quarterback’s decision-making process.
Just last week, speed-rushing defensive tackle Aiden McComber recorded his first sack utilizing the cheetah scheme. Otis’ accuracy and versatility in quickly filling gaps—whether lining up wide or sprinting to the A gap—give opposing offenses fits.
Associate head coach Chris Brown praised Otis, saying, “The great thing about Jamih is, if I line him up somewhere else, he can get to whatever destination he needs to get to from that position.”
Junior nickelback Elijah Palmer has also been a key playmaker, shifting between safety and nickelback roles depending on the opponent. Against Air Force, he played safety, then moved back to nickelback last week against Utah State. Palmer made a number of impactful plays including a rip move to break up a pass, an open-field tackle on a tight end, and holding onto a running back to facilitate a forced fumble.
**Rainbow Warriors Specialists**
– PK/KO-17 Kansei Matsuzawa | 6-2, 200, Sr.
– P-19 Billy Gowers | 6-1, 205, Fr.
– LS-33 Jack Mowrey | 6-3, 240, So.
– H-18 Caleb Freeman | 6-0, 185, Sr.
– KR-0 Cam Barfield | 5-7, 185, So.
– PR-8 Tama Uiliata | 5-11, 190, Fr.
Special teams coordinator Thomas Sheffield is unfazed by his punter Billy Gowers’ willingness to engage in contact during plays. Sheffield’s confidence stems from having seen Gowers’ background playing kabaddi, a high-contact sport akin to extreme tag involving tackling, kicking, and punting.
“As soon as I saw a kabaddi clip, I said, ‘that’s my guy. That’s the one I want,’” Sheffield said. “He enjoys physicality. He kind of gets bored being a punter. He wants to mix it up with the boys. He wants to tackle. He wants to get hit. He wants to throw and run the ball. He’s a real football player. He would be willing to run down on kickoffs.”
Gowers is averaging an impressive 45.4 yards per punt this season.
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**Rams Offense**
– WR-0 Jordan Ross | 5-11, 175, So.
– WR-10 Tommy Maher | 5-11, 185, So.
– WR-1 Armani Winfield | 6-2, 200, Jr.
– TE-81 Rocky Beers | 6-5, 250, Sr.
– LT-72 Christian Martin | 6-6, 300, So.
– LG-76 Alex Foster | 6-4, 305, Sr.
– C-79 A. Urionbarrenechea | 6-5, 320, So.
– RG-54 Liam Wortmann | 6-2, 305, Sr.
– RT-78 Aaron Karas | 6-5, 315, Jr.
– QB-7 Jackson Brousseau | 6-4, 225, So.
– RB-2 Jalen Dupree | 6-0, 210, Fr.
Entering their fourth season under head coach Jay Norvell, the Rams aimed to build on recent growth. Norvell, who previously rebuilt Nevada’s program, brought optimism to Colorado State. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi had initially been the starting quarterback since the second game of the 2023 season and attracted Power 4 school interest reportedly worth $600,000. He even represented the Rams at Mountain West media day in July.
However, Fowler-Nicolosi struggled during the first two games this season, and Jackson Brousseau took over as the starting quarterback. Two weeks ago, Norvell handed over play-calling duties to assistant head coach Matt Mumme, heralding a shift toward more Air Raid concepts. Matt Mumme, son of Hal Mumme—the co-creator of the Air Raid offense—has injected a faster tempo and horizontal stretch into the offense.
Brousseau now operates with more freedom to read run-pass options and makes quick decisions suitable for the scheme. The offense has expanded its running back rotation and fully utilizes tight end Rocky Beers’ pass-catching talents. Beers, standing at 6-foot-5, plays in place of injured Jaxxon Warren and has mastered the “late-hand” catching technique, waiting until the ball nears before raising his hands to secure the reception.
Wide receiver Armani Winfield, a Baylor transfer and former 4-star recruit, benefits greatly from Brousseau’s pinpoint accuracy, which targets the spots where receivers break off their routes, allowing Winfield to catch passes at full speed.
In a recent game, running back Justin Marshall electrified fans with a 73-yard touchdown run but unfortunately suffered a broken face mask while attempting a tackle on the kickoff that followed.
Freshman running back Jalen Dupree, hailing from Malvern, Arkansas (population just over 11,000 with two McDonald’s locations), is the Rams’ strongest back, boasting a 350-pound bench press max.
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**Rams Defense**
– DE-56 Kenyon Agurs | 6-4, 255, So.
– NT-77 Jack Moran | 6-6, 280, Fr.
– DT-52 Paul Tangelo | 6-3, 245, Sr.
– MLB-45 Robert Edmonson | 6-2, 225, So.
– LB-40 Owen Long | 6-2, 230, So.
– LB-23 Jaseim Mitchell | 6-2, 225, Sr.
– NB-18 AJ Noland | 6-1, 195, Fr.
– CB-4 Jahari Rogers | 5-11, 190, Gr.
– FS-12 Jace Bellah | 5-11, 185, Jr.
– SS-13 Jake Jarmolowich | 6-1, 195, Sr.
– CB-7 Lemondre Joe | 5-10, 180, Sr.
Tyson Summers is in his first season as Colorado State’s defensive coordinator after stints at Western Kentucky, Florida, Colorado, and Georgia. He has introduced an aggressive 3-3-5 defensive scheme featuring man coverage look, although the unit has yet to fully gel due to multiple injuries.
Key losses include co-captains Mukendi Wa-Kalonji (defensive tackle) and JaQues “Donut” Evans (linebacker), both out for the season, and linebacker Jacob Ellis, who will miss the upcoming game. Other starters sidelined include defensive lineman Gabe Jones and defensive backs Ayden Hector and Dylan Phelps.
Summers utilizes an unconventional defensive front. At nose tackle, the towering Jack Moran at 6-foot-6 contrasts with lighter bookend defensive ends under 260 pounds. Mike linebacker Robert Edmonson is versatile, standing up across from the guard or covering an inside receiver or tight end.
Linebacker Owen Long has been a standout performer, leading the nation with 14.2 tackles per game. Long’s versatility allows him to play in the middle, team up with defensive backs for double blitzes, or sprint laterally to cover receivers in the flats.
In a stacked alignment, the defense presents three down linemen, two linebackers, and Long as a third-level defender positioned in front of the safeties. In last week’s game versus Fresno State, Long followed a defensive tackle into a gap, broke free, and made an important third-down tackle. He also stayed on the field for a fourth-down play, later stopping a fake punt attempt.
When safeties blitz, cornerbacks Lemondre Joe and Jahari Rogers take on tight man coverage responsibilities. Joe leads the FBS with 11 pass breakups this season. Rogers, a transfer from SMU, is considered the leader of the Rams secondary, affectionately known as the “Belt Boyz.” “We strap and stuff, like a seat belt,” Rogers says of their defensive tactics. To maintain endurance at Fort Collins’ 5,003-foot elevation, Rogers trains on the assault bike, a favorite workout among UFC fighters.
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**Rams Specialists**
– KO/PK-98 Isaiah Hankins | 6-1, 200, Sr.
– P/H-83 Bryan Hansen | 6-3, 210, Jr.
– LS-56 Walker Himebauch | 6-1, 225, Jr.
– KR-25 Lloyd Avant | 5-10, 210, So.
– PR-24 Javion Kinnard | 5-8, 175, Fr.
After an extensive spring search failed to identify a clear starting kicker, Colorado State turned to the transfer portal, signing Isaiah Hankins. The left-footed senior made 71% of his field goal attempts during four seasons at Baylor. This season, Hankins is 3-for-6 on field goals, including a long of 50 yards but has missed attempts from 43, 44, and 46 yards.
On kickoffs, Hankins has shown solid performance, with 15 of his 26 attempts resulting in touchbacks and none going out of bounds. Last year’s kickoff specialist, Bryan Hansen, now averages 47.6 yards per punt.
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This matchup features two teams with contrasting trajectories this season. Hawaii’s balanced offense and disruptive defense face a Rams squad working through injuries but backed by a new offensive identity under Matt Mumme’s Air Raid concepts. Special teams and key player performances will likely play a pivotal role in determining the outcome.
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/10/17/sports/game-time-analyses-hawaii-vs-colorado-state/