FRESNO, Calif. — A redemption story added an unforgettable chapter to the lore of the University of Hawai'i football program's longest running rivalry.
Moments after losing a fumble that appeared to snuff Hawai'i's hopes of a comeback in UH's 56th meeting with Fresno State, wide receiver
Nick Cenacle caught a touchdown pass with 15 seconds left to help push the Rainbow Warriors to a stunning 21-20 Mountain West victory over the host Bulldogs on Saturday at Valley Children's Stadium in Fresno, Calif.
The 3-yard reception from
Brayden Schager punctuated a career day for Cenacle, who caught 12 passes for 113 yards and was on the receiving end of both of Schager's fourth-quarter touchdown passes as the Warriors (4-5, 2-2 MW) erased a 13-point deficit in the final period.
Kansei Matsuzawa's extra point gave the Warriors the lead and gave
Timmy Chang the second road win of his UH coaching career.
The fourth-quarter rally was UH's largest since a comeback from 14 points down against Fresno State on Oct. 2, 2021 in Mānoa.
The UH defense provided fuel for the rally by forcing Fresno State punts on seven consecutive possessions while holding the Bulldogs (5-4, 3-2 MW) to 176 yards of total offense, just 52 coming in the second half.
Elijah Robinson came up with three of UH's 10 tackles for loss, including two sacks, and UH limited the Bulldogs to 19 rushing yards.
Jalen Smith's sack on third down late in the fourth quarter forced Fresno State's final punt and set up the stage for a dramatic final 90 seconds. Cornerback
Cam Stone's block of an extra-point attempt proved the difference in the game.
Tylan Hines' fair catch set up the UH offense at the Fresno State 47 with 1:30 left. Schager completed an 8-yard pass to
Jonah Panoke and
Landon Sims followed with a 6-yard run. Cenacle's 11-yard reception then moved UH to the Bulldogs' 18. After three incomplete passes, a pass interference call on fourth down kept the Warriors alive at the Bulldogs' 3. On third down, Schager rolled right and connected with a wide-open Cenacle, who sprinted to the corner for the tying touchdown, and Matsuzawa's kick gave UH its first lead since the first quarter.
The outcome wasn't officially decided until an untimed down with :00 showing and the Warriors stuffed Fresno State's last-ditch hook-and-ladder.
Schager finished 29-for-53 for 244 yards and three touchdowns. The Warriors overcame two Fresno State takeaways that set up Bulldog touchdowns. The first was a fumble resulting in a turnover on downs in UH territory that Fresno State converted into a go-ahead touchdown early in the second quarter.
UH took the opening kickoff and held the ball for more than half of the first quarter with a 14-play, 75-yard march that took 7:48 off the clock. Schager went 6-for-7 and converted a third down with a 6-yard run to extend the drive. Schager connected with
Pofele Ashlock on a 5-yard touchdown pass to give the Warriors the lead at the 7:12 mark of the opening period.
Fresno State responded with a lengthy drive of its own and the Warriors appeared to force a fumble deep in UH territory. But the play was negated by a penalty and the Bulldogs scored on the next play on a 10-yard run by Elijah Gilliam.
UH converted on a fourth-down on its next possession but a second attempt on fourth-and-one resulted in a sack and a fumble recovered by the Bulldogs at the UH 28. Fresno State took eight plays to take the lead on a 5-yard touchdown pass. Stone blocked the point-after attempt and the 13-7 margin remained as the teams went into halftime.
The UH defense twice forced the Bulldogs to go three-and-out early in the third quarter and the offense put together a drive into Fresno State territory. But on a third-and-16, Schager had a pass tipped and intercepted by Phoenix Jackson, who returned it 89 yards for a touchdown to extend the Bulldogs' lead to 20-7.
The defense forced a fifth straight punt and this time the Warrior offense converted on the opportunity with a 12-play, 87-yard march to close to within a touchdown. A targeting call on Fresno State extended the drive and Schager escaped to his left and hit a wide-open Cenacle in the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown pass with 9:04 left in regulation.
The Warriors again came up with a stop and took possession with 6:58 left. UH converted on two third downs and drove into Fresno State territory. Facing a third-and-5 coming out of the 2-minute timeout, Schager connected with Cenacle, who advanced past the first-down marker. But Jackson punched the ball free and the Bulldogs recovered to the end the threat, at least for the moment.
Smith's sack on third down pushed the Bulldogs back to their 9 and forced Fresno State's seventh punt to set up the decisive final drive.
The Rainbow Warriors return to the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex to face UNLV on Saturday, Nov. 9. The Warriors and Rebels will play for the Island Showdown Trophy in the nationally televised game on CBS Sports Network. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
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