In Week 2 of the 2025 college football season, the Sam Houston Bearkats visit the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, HI. With the game kicking off at 11:59 PM, viewers can catch all the action under the lights on MWN. This night game sets the stage for an intriguing matchup between two teams eager to make a statement early in the season. The Bearkats enter the game with a 0-2 record, seeking their first win after losses to UNLV and Western Kentucky. Sam Houston aims to turn their season around, relying on the lessons learned from their previous outings. However, playing on the road poses additional challenges that the team will need to overcome. Meanwhile, the Rainbow Warriors are 1-1, with a notable win at home against Stanford and a loss to Arizona on the road. Playing on their home turf, Hawaii looks to leverage their previous success at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex to gain momentum. The Rainbow Warriors are favored with a -266 moneyline and a 7-point spread advantage.
Hawaii vs Sam Houston At a Glance
- Game Venue: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, HI
- Game Time: Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 11:59 PM
- TV Broadcast: Available on MWN
- Hawaii Record: 1-1 this season
- Sam Houston Record: 0-2 this season
- Odds: Hawaii is favored with a moneyline of -266
The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Prepare for a Challenging Game
Team Overview
Hawaii’s offensive unit has shown strength in passing, ranking 7th nationally with 433 yards. However, their rushing game lags, positioned at 57th with 166 yards. This suggests a reliance on their passing attack to generate points.
On the defensive front, the Rainbow Warriors excel in interceptions, ranking 2nd with one interception so far. Their defense also boasts a strong sack performance, ranked 5th with three sacks. This combination has made them a formidable force against opposing quarterbacks.
Recent Performance
In their season opener, Hawaii secured a victory against Stanford, winning 23-20. Their defense played a pivotal role, limiting Stanford’s passing game to only 109 yards. However, the following game against Arizona resulted in a 40-6 loss, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in their defense.
Their offense struggled against Arizona, managing only 70 rushing yards and throwing three interceptions. The team will need to tighten up their ball security to improve their chances in upcoming games.
Key Players
Micah Alejado, Hawaii’s starting quarterback, leads with 367 passing yards, ranking him 11th nationally. His performance will be crucial, especially as he deals with a foot injury, which leaves him questionable for the next game.
Pofele Ashlock has emerged as a top receiver with 15 receptions and 93 receiving yards, showcasing his ability to impact the passing game. Meanwhile, Landon Sims leads the rushing attack with 53 yards, though the team will need more from him to balance their offense.
Upcoming Challenges
Hawaii’s next home game is against the Sam Houston Bearkats, providing an opportunity to rebound from their recent loss. Their home record this season stands strong at 1-0, offering a favorable outlook. Maintaining focus and limiting turnovers will be key strategies moving forward.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 1-1 (50.0%)
- SU as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU in Home Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS in Home Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U All Games: 0-2 (0.0%)
Sam Houston Bearkats: Searching for a Breakthrough in 2025
Team Overview
The Sam Houston Bearkats have struggled in the early part of the 2025 season, losing both of their opening games. Despite these setbacks, their offense has shown some promise, ranking 11th in passing yards with 396 and 9th in rushing yards at 318. The Bearkats have demonstrated the ability to move the chains, securing 34 first downs, which ranks 8th overall.
Defensively, the Bearkats are ranked 46th, having allowed 79 points against them so far this season. They have been effective at putting pressure on the quarterback, with their three sacks ranking them 5th. Sam Houston’s defense is also opportunistic, ranking 2nd with one interception and two fumbles recovered.
Quarterback Performance
Hunter Watson has been a key player for the Bearkats, passing for 310 yards in two games, which places him 21st in the league. However, Watson has yet to throw a touchdown pass this season, which is an area the team will look to improve upon. Mabrey Mettauer has also contributed, though in a limited capacity, with 86 passing yards and one touchdown.
Watson’s ability to avoid turnovers has been a positive, with only one interception thrown, showing promise in maintaining possession. Mettauer, while having a limited role, also threw one interception in his single appearance.
Rushing Attack
The Bearkats’ ground game has been a strength, led by Landan Brown, who has rushed for 85 yards and one touchdown in his sole appearance. Alton McCaskill adds depth to the rushing attack with 72 yards and one touchdown in two games. Elijah Green has also contributed with 46 rushing yards over two games.
With their rushing game ranked 9th, the Bearkats will likely lean on their running backs to help control the tempo and keep opposing defenses on their heels.
Receiving Corps
Aviyon Smith-Mack leads the receiving unit with eight receptions and 51 receiving yards over two games. Tim Burns Jr. is a standout performer, having recorded 59 receiving yards and one touchdown in his only appearance. Grady O’Neill has also shown potential with 50 receiving yards in two games.
The Bearkats have several capable receivers, and spreading the ball around will be essential for their offensive success moving forward.
Team Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 0-2 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 0-2 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 1-1 (50.0%)
- SU as Underdog: 0-2 (0.0%)
- ATS as Underdog: 0-2 (0.0%)
- O/U After a Loss: 1-0 (100.0%)
Hawaii vs Sam Houston Prediction: Under 48.5
Both teams have demonstrated inconsistent offensive performances this season. Sam Houston has only managed to put up 45 points combined in their first two games, ranking 18th in points for, while Hawaii is slightly better with 29 points in two games, ranking 28th.
Defensively, both teams have allowed a considerable number of points. Sam Houston has given up 79 points in two games, while Hawaii has conceded 60. Given these stats, it’s unlikely that either team will break out offensively in this upcoming game.
Hawaii’s previous meeting with Sam Houston resulted in a combined score of 44 points, which fell under the set total of 48.5. The current total set at 48.5 seems high considering both teams’ current scoring trends and defensive capabilities.
Given the data and past performance, the smart play here is to take the under 48.5. A projected score of Sam Houston 24 – Hawaii 17 aligns with this pick.
- Hawaii vs Sam Houston Prediction: Under 48.5
- Hawaii vs Sam Houston Score: Sam Houston 24 – Hawaii 17
