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Hawaii Football Team Prepares for Showdown in Tucson

The University of Hawaii (UH) football team is gearing up for an exciting match against the Arizona Wildcats, with both teams boasting dynamic 5-foot-10 quarterbacks in Micah Alejado and Noah Fifita.

As the team arrived in Tucson late Thursday, they practiced at Mountain View High School on Friday, followed by two workouts. The weather in Tucson was steamy and hot, creating a sauna-like effect, but the team remained focused and determined.

At Arizona Stadium, the UH football team tested the artificial surface's grip and adjusted to the background, while kicker Kansei Matsuzawa focused on the goal posts as part of his visualization preparation. The players locked arms and walked the length of the field, a powerful display of unity and team spirit.

Pastor Norman Nakanishi, from Pearlside Church, delivered a prayerful pep talk to the team, while two pastors accompanied the team on this nonconference trip.

Coach Timmy Chang believes the team can continue to improve, and associate head coach Chris Brown stated that the team is hungry for more wins after their victory over Stanford. Defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold emphasized that the stadium session brings the team physically together before they play.

The UH football team will be facing familiar opponents in quarterback Noah Fifita and receiver Tetairoa "T-Mac" McMillan, who were a prolific aerial connection from Servite High School through Arizona last year. T-Mac McMillan, who grew up in Waimanalo, was the Carolina Panthers' first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Two retired police officers, Malcolm Lutu and John Veneri (father of sportscasters John and Mark Veneri), are available for security. Elijah Palmer and Jamih Otis, players from the Hawaii football team, asked for a walk-through session at Arizona Stadium ahead of the game.

The Arizona marching band paused its rehearsal for an hour, clearing the field for the Hawaii football team. The head coach of the Arizona football team playing against Hawaii is Brent Brennan, who was named head coach in January 2024 and is leading Arizona in the 2025 season.

Micah Alejado is expected to start despite injuring his right ankle in UH's first possession of the second half last week. As an assistant coach at Bishop Gorman High, Chris Brown coached against Fifita and McMillan, providing valuable insights into their playing styles.

The Hawaii football team is seeking to open the season with back-to-back victories, and with their determination, unity, and focus, they are well on their way to achieving this goal. Let the game begin!