FORT COLLINS, Colo.  – The revamped University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warrior football team got the 2018 season off with a bang with a 43-34 Mountain West road win at Colorado State Saturday at Canvas Stadium. UH propelled itself to a fast start and held off a late rally by the Rams to pick up the team's first win in Fort Collins in 30 years.
 
UH's run-n-shoot offense made a glorious return, scoring on six of its first seven possessions and racking up 617 total yards—its highest total in nearly five years. Meanwhile, the Warriors new-look defense held the Ram scoreless on six straight possessions spanning more than two quarters, helping UH build a commanding 30-point lead.
 
The Warriors offense showed mid-season form, despite eight first-time starters. Among them was sophomore quarterback Cole McDonald who was responsible for five touchdowns and put together a record-setting performance.  McDonald went 26-of-37 for 418 yards—the most passing yards by a UH quarterback in his first career start—while tossing three touchdowns. McDonald also ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns.  
 
Two of McDonald's favorite targets were junior receivers Cedric Byrd and John Ursua who combined for more than 300 yards receiving. Byrd had 11 catches for 181 yards, the most receiving yards by a UH player in his debut, and scored on a 55-yarder in the third. Meanwhile, Ursua, who missed the final half of last season due to injury, came back strong with seven catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
 
Behind a full-throttle effort, UH led 23-7 at halftime and 37-7 late in the third quarter. The Rams went on a 27-3 surge bridging the third and fourth quarter to cut the UH lead to just 40-34 with 4:42 left in the game.
 
However, UH iced the game with a 58-yard drive in the final four minutes, capped by a 35-yard field goal by junior placekicker Ryan Meskell with 44 seconds left. It was one of three field goals converted by Meskell as UH went a perfect 7-of-7 in the red zone.

The UH defense was led by junior linebacker Solomon Matautia who recorded 10 tackles. Meanwhile sophomore cornerback Eugene Ford recorded five tackles and picked off a pass in the first quarter that eventually led to a UH scoring drive.
 
The team now returns to Hawai'i for its home opener when it hosts Navy on Saturday, Sept. 1. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.