FBS-CFB Game Preview: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (3-2) vs. Air Force Falcons (1-2)

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Venue, Date & Time

Location: Falcon Stadium, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO (Capacity: 46,692)

Kickoff: 4:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM MT / 10:00 AM HT

Broadcast: FS1

Weather Forecast (Colorado Springs, CO)

Conditions: Sunny, dry mountain air

Temperature: ~74°F (23°C) at kickoff

Wind: 12–13 mph (crosswinds possible)

Humidity: ~29%

Impact: Thin air at altitude favors the deep ball and long field goals, but swirling winds could affect passing accuracy and special teams.

Injury Report

Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors

QB Micah Alejado – Questionable (foot/ankle, played vs. Fresno State but not 100%)

WR Nick Cenacle – Questionable (knee)

WR Jarvis Heimuli – Out for season (undisclosed)

DL Tariq Jones – Questionable

Air Force Falcons

FB Kemper Hodges – Questionable (undisclosed)

WR Jonah Dawson – Questionable (undisclosed)

Key Player Matchups

QB Micah Alejado (Hawai‘i, 586 yds, 3 TD, 4 INT) vs. QB Liam Szarka (Air Force, 360 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT; 111 rush yds, 1 TD)

Alejado must limit turnovers (3 INT vs. Fresno State). Szarka is emerging as Air Force’s dual-threat leader.

WR Pofele Ashlock (Hawai‘i, 34 REC, 303 yds, 3 TD) vs. WR Cade Harris (Air Force, 13 REC, 323 yds, 1 TD)

Ashlock is UH’s most reliable target; Harris is a versatile “Swiss Army knife” who had 179 receiving yards vs. Boise State.

RB Landon Sims (Hawai‘i, 184 yds) vs. RB Dylan Carson (Air Force, 213 yds, 2 TD)

Sims provides balance for UH’s pass-heavy scheme; Carson anchors the Falcons’ triple-option ground game.

LB Jamall Thompson (UH, 9 TKL, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 INT) vs. Air Force Offensive Line

Thompson is UH’s defensive disruptor; Air Force averages 267 rushing yards per game.

Recent Team Forms

Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors (3-2, 0-1 MW)

L 23–21 vs. Fresno State

W 23–3 vs. Portland State

W 37–20 vs. Sam Houston

L 40–6 @ Arizona

W 23–20 vs. Stanford

Trend: Offense averaging 22.4 PPG; defense strong vs. run (Top 30 nationally). Turnovers (-8 margin) are a major issue.

Air Force Falcons (1-2, 0-2 MW)

L 49–37 vs. Boise State

L 49–30 @ Utah State

W 49–13 vs. Bucknell

Trend: Nation’s longest streak of 100-yard rushing games (88 straight). Offense averaging 38.7 PPG, but defense has allowed 49+ in back-to-back MW games.

Conference Context

Hawai‘i: Mountain West member since 2012; looking to avoid 0-2 start in league play.

Air Force: Longtime Mountain West power; at risk of 0-3 MW start, which would be devastating for title hopes.

Series History

All-time H2H: Air Force leads 14–8–1

Last Meeting (2023): Hawai‘i 27–13 win in Honolulu

Last Meeting at Falcon Stadium: Hawai‘i 34–27 (2OT) win in 2016, snapping Air Force’s 15-game home win streak

Trophy: Winner claims the General Laurence S. Kuter Trophy

Betting Trends

Hawai‘i:

3–2 ATS in 2025

1–4 O/U this season

1–3 ATS as underdog of 6+ points

Air Force:

1–2 ATS in 2025

3–0 O/U this season

7–1 SU in last 8 home games vs. Hawai‘i

Historical Betting Results

2023: Hawai‘i +12.5 covered, upset Air Force 27–13 (Under 51.5)

2016: Hawai‘i +14 covered, upset Air Force 34–27 (2OT, Over 55.5)

2012: Air Force -7 covered, won 21–7 (Under 48)

2001: Hawai‘i +3 covered, won 27–24 (Over 50.5)

Game Odds

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors            52.5

Air Force Falcons                              – 6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025