The Nine Islands (UH & UNLV) CFB 26

[YaBoyRobRoy]

WEEK 11, 2025

[YaBoyRobRoy]

Colorado State Shocks No. 18 UNLV, 36-24

FORT COLLINS, CO — In one of the biggest stunners in Mountain West play this season, Colorado State stepped up to defeat #18 UNLV on Saturday night, 36–24.

The Rams used a versatile offensive attack led by quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and a standout performance from their running back Lloyd Avant. The latter amassed 158 yards and scored on a 72-yard receiving touchdown in the first quarter (2:05 mark of highlight video) to give his team momentum early on. CSU looked like a completely different team than the one that got dismantled by the Rainbow Warriors in a 44-7 loss just a couple of weeks ago.

"It was a wake up call for us," said Colorado State coach Jay Norvell about their embarrassing loss to Hawaii. "We knew we had to make some changes and we did, and now we have won two straight and stay alive in the conference race."

With the Rebels struggling offensively early on, Colorado State took advantage by scoring on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Fowler-Nicolosi to Tommy Maher, then added a second field goal by kicker Payne Williams III to take a 20-7 lead into halftime.

CSU remained in control until the fourth quarter, when UNLV came storming back. Kicker Caden Costa drilled a 49-yard field goal to make it a one possession game. On the next drive the Rebels defense forced a three and out thanks to their only sack of the day by Marsel McDuffie. Alex Orji then fired a pass to Daejon Reynolds, who broke the tackle of the only defender in the vicinity to score a 57-yard touchdown. (7:30) This put the Rebels up 24-23 with 7 minutes left, temporarily settling the home crowd at Canvas Stadium.

"Simply incredible play by (Daejon) to put us up," UNLV coach Dan Mullen told reporters after the game. "Our sideline was alive and we thought momentum was finally shifting our way."

But The Rams had an answer. They used a methodical drive that ended up draining five minutes off the clock. A 32-yard pass to Jordan Ross set up Colorado State in the red zone. On 3rd-and-goal to go, Fowler-Nicolosi threw a pass that seemed out of reach of receiver Kojo Antwi, but he made an outstanding diving catch for the touchdown. (8:32) The failed 2-point conversion attempt kept the score at 29-24.

With one last shot to take the lead back the Rebels began to march down field. A 13-yard completion to Var'Keyes Gumms was followed by a 12-yard run by Jaylon Glover to bring UNLV into Rams territory. They were knocking on the door, but the Rams slammed it in their faces. With a minute left Orji tried to get a pass off as he was hit, but instead of falling incomplete, the ball bounced off of defensive lineman JaQues Evans' helmet and he miraculously caught it as he was maintaining his balance, then ran 47-yards untouched to cement their upset of the #1 team in the Mountain West (9:27)

UNLV drops to 7-2 and 4-1 in mountain west play after losing their first conference game of the year. They will look to bounce back next week when they return home to face Utah State before hosting the Rainbow Warriors in the "Island Showdown" the following week.

[redsox907]

#Chill'sRevenge

[The JZA]

Nicolosi

[Agent]

losing to CSU? braddah

[Soapy]

They don't have Tory Horton anymore

[YaBoyRobRoy]

#Chill'sRevenge

Had to make some changes to sliders to make it more difficult and I enjoyed it even though I almost raged when he picked that pass at the end lol.

Nicolosi

bro went off after being a bum against Hawaii

losing to CSU? braddah

I know, thought for sure we were about to drive down and score to take the lead.

They don't have Tory Horton anymore

Didn't need him lol

Thanks for checking in fellas

[YaBoyRobRoy]

Hawaii Holds Off Late Rally To Stay Undefeated In MW

HONOLULU, HI — The Rainbow Warriors continue to ride their late-season surge, fending off a second half comeback attempt to defeat San Diego State 24–22 in a thriller under the lights at Clarence T.C. Ching Complex.

The matchup began with a defensive tone, as both teams traded punts through a gritty first quarter, but Hawaii eventually found a rhythm.

Near the beginning of the second quarter, quarterback Micah Alejado hit Jackson Harris across the middle, who nearly broke free for a score before being dragged down at the 4-yard line. A few plays later, the Warriors punched it in to take a 7–0 lead — a score that would open the flood gates.

San Diego State answered back quickly, as running back Lucky Sutton broke through a seam and outran the entire Hawaii secondary on a 84-yard touchdown sprint. Sutton was unstoppable in the loss, finishing with 264 yards (227 rushing, 37 receiving).

The next drive was highlighted by Alejado's legs as he recorded a 44-yard run to bring the Warriors into enemy territory, then capped the drive with a 9-yard TD run. A three-and-out by the Aztecs gave Hawaii the ball back with just over a minute left before the half. With great field position they took advantage as Alejado made a beautiful throw as he was being hit, completing it to Pofele Ashlock in stride for a 33-yard score to give his team a 21-10 advantage.

A string of punts opened the second half, but San Diego State got things going. A 29-yard reception by Nathan Acevado brought the Aztecs inside the ten, then two plays later, quarterback Jayden Denegal connected with Jordan Napier for the score. Sutton was stuffed on the attempted 2-point conversion and the lead remained at five.

Hawaii gave themselves a little breathing room on the next drive when Alejado threw a prayer to Nick Cenacle, who came down with a miraculous jump ball in double coverage for a 23-yard gain. This set up a 24-yard field goal by Kansei Matsuzawa to make it an 8-point game.

On the ensuing drive Hawaii safety Peter Manuma recorded an interception and returned it to San Diego State's 40-yard line. With only three minutes left it seemed to be the dagger to put the game to rest, but as Lee Corso would say, "not so fast, my friend".

After getting stuffed on both 1st and 2nd down, Alejado missed an open receiver on 3rd-and-12, stopping the clock and burning only 12 seconds on the drive. The punt pinned the Aztecs inside their own 10-yard line, but it didn't matter. It took San Diego State only three plays, as Denegal completed passes of 27, 29 and 20 yards to set up 1st and goal.

On 3rd-and-goal with all day to throw, Denegal found Acevado for their second touchdown connection to make it 24-22 with 54 seconds remaining. With the game hanging in the balance, they lined up for a two-point conversion to tie — but Hawaii’s defense wasn’t about to let this one slip away. Defensive tackle Luther McCoy powered through the left guard and swarmed Denegal for a sack.

“Our guys just executed when they had to,” said head coach Timmy Chang. “You dream of finishing games like that — with the ball in the other team's hands, needing a stop, and we delivered.”

The win extends Hawaii’s winning streak to seven and they sit on top of the Mountain West as the last remaining undefeated team in conference play with a 6-0 record. They have a much needed bye week next before traveling to Las Vegas to take on UNLV in the "Island Showdown".

[redsox907]

Alejandro was in his Spanish bag - slaughtering them Aztecs

[djp73]

turnovers killed you against Colorado State