There was a time when UH football took a definite back seat to the prepsters. On this date in 1965, a crowd of 2,807 turned up to watch Santa Barbara beat Hawaii 3-0 in the mud at Honolulu Stadium. The field was probably unplayable by today’s standards because there were four high school games on the wet field in the previous 48 hours. There was little scoring because of the muck, but sophomore Steve Ford managed to kick a 25-yard […]

On this date in 1994, Hawaii’s defense stepped up after going down in class. The Rainbows sacked the quarterback 10 times on 27 passing plays and Hawaii beat Southeast Missouri State 34-0 in front of the smallest Aloha Stadium crowd in five years (22,891). The Indians were a I-AA program that had never played a Division I foe. But that was okay, since Hawaii was trying to snap a five-game losing streak. Ed Ripley, David Tuifua and George Noga doubled […]

On this date in 1929, Hawaii took to the air to win a rare Monday football game. The Rainbows scored twice in the first 11 minutes and their stellar defense made it hold up in a 13-0 victory over the Town Team. The win left UH undefeated against city teams and the easy choice for the city championship. Hawaii, which allowed only one touchdown during the regular season, announced after the game that it was on its way to play […]

On this date in 1973, Harold Stringert victimized Santa Clara to break a UH record in a 40-9 victory in front of 22,987 fans at Honolulu Stadium. Stringert, a cornerback, returned a punt 82 yards for a score, beating Bobby Ahu‘s 65-yard effort in 1969 against Linfield. Stringert’s mark held until Gerald Green returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown against Arizona in 1977. That mark still stands. Stringert, a Saint Louis school standout, is still considered one of […]

On this date in 1985, freshman quarterback Warren Jones came off the bench to lead Hawaii to a 23-7 road win over UTEP. Jones was summoned after just 10 minutes when starter Greg Tipton suffered a bruised left shoulder. He then put up Hawaii’s highest point total of the season with a ball-control offense. Jones had thrown only six passes including a painful pick-six before Tipton got hurt. He went 11-for-19 for 130 yards and Hawaii held the ball for […]

On this date a year ago, Kumoku Noa was cleared to play for the first time in two years and responded with 120 yards and a touchdown on four receptions in Hawaii’s 45-31 win at New Mexico. Noa was not around to collect the game ball from head coach Nick Rolovich because he was being treated for yet another injury. “Before the season started, I went through a little bit of adversity,” Noa said. “The coaches gave me the opportunity […]

On this date in 1936, Hawaii found out what it was capable of without the services of Tommy Kaulukukui. The all-time great was injured on a punt return after McKinley’s first drive and didn’t return until just before the fourth quarter. No matter, though, as the Deans defense was more than up to the task and shut out the Mickalums 13-0. George Aki, Ernest Dias and Tony Morse carried the load for UH while Kaulukukui was being treated. McKinley beat […]