PROVO, Utah – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warrior football team dropped just its second game of the season with a 49-23 loss to Brigham Young in a nationally-televised game Saturday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium. 

An inspired Cougar squad (4-3) stormed out of the gates and never looked back in defeating the Warriors for the 11th time in the last 12 meetings. UH (6-2) is still searching for its elusive first win in Provo against its long-time nemesis, dropping to 0-10 all-time at BYU.

The Cougars scored on each of its first two possessions and tacked on a pair of second-quarter touchdowns to take a commanding 28-3 halftime lead. BYU ended the game with season-highs for total yards (474), rushing yards (280) and points scored (49).

Seven different Cougars found the end zone, including freshman Zach Wilson who made his first career start. Wilson passed for 194 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for a 23-yard score in the first quarter.
 

Meanwhile, UH's Cole McDonald returned to action after missing last week's contest versus Wyoming. The junior quarterback went 22-of-38 for 248 yards and a pair of touchdown tosses. However, McDonald struggled in the first half, getting sacked three times and throwing an interception that set up a BYU touchdown late in the second quarter.

UH showed signs of life on both sides of the ball in the second half. The defense got a pair of stops, and the Warriors scored on its opening possession. But the hole was too deep, and the Warriors would get no closer than 18 points after the break despite a pair of touchdowns by Dayton Furuta and one from John Ursua.

Jahlani Tavai led the UH defense with 11 tackles and a sack, while Rojesterman Farris II recorded his first interception of the season with a second-quarter pick of Wilson.  Both of UH's losses have come on the road (also versus Army).

The Rainbow Warriors will return home and resume Mountain West play when they host Nevada on Saturday, Oct. 20 at Aloha Stadium. Kickoff is at 6:00 p.m