Hawai’i Beats Northern Illinois 56-21 to End Skid
- The University of Hawai'i football team ended a four-game losing skid with a 56-21 blowout victory against Northern Illinois on October 24, 2026, at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb,...
- Hawai'i generated 504 total yards of offense during the matchup, marking a season high for the program under head coach Timmy Chang, as reported by Hawaii athletics.
- The rushing attack added 175 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, representing the program's highest single-game rushing touchdown total since 2020, according to Hawaii athletics.
The University of Hawai’i football team ended a four-game losing skid with a 56-21 blowout victory against Northern Illinois on October 24, 2026, at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois, according to Hawaii athletics. The win improved the Rainbow Warriors’ record to 2-6 overall and 1-4 in the Mountain West. Traveling over 4,200 miles for what was recorded as the furthest conference game in FBS history, the program tied its team record for most points in a Mountain West game while securing its second-largest conference road victory ever.
Rainbow Warriors Total 504 Yards of Total Offense in DeKalb
Hawai’i generated 504 total yards of offense during the matchup, marking a season high for the program under head coach Timmy Chang, as reported by Hawaii athletics. Yahoo Sports noted that the visitors scored 35 points in the first half alone, surpassing their previous highest single-game point total for the entire season. Quarterback Micah Alejado completed passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns, connecting on four different plays of 40 yards or more. Running back Cam Barfield recorded a 62-yard catch-and-run, which Hawaii athletics identified as the longest play from scrimmage for the team this season. Receiver Audric Harris added two receptions exceeding 40 yards, while Josiah Fetui scored his first career college touchdown on a 44-yard pass from Alejado. The opening possession saw Hawai’i score on its first drive for only the second time across eight games this season, capped by a 12-play, 75-yard drive ending in a three-yard run by DeVon Rice. Following a tie caused by a 49-yard touchdown pass from Northern Illinois quarterback Taron Dickens to DeAree Rogers, Alejado found redshirt tight end Frank Abreu for a 13-yard score. Abreu added another touchdown before halftime on a toe-tapping catch from 23 yards out.
Northern Illinois gets destroyed by Hawai’i and falls to 0-7 in their inaugural year in the Mountain West. https://t.co/eTLxrfE2zH
DeVon Rice Leads Ground Attack with Three Rushing Scores
The rushing attack added 175 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, representing the program’s highest single-game rushing touchdown total since 2020, according to Hawaii athletics. Yahoo Sports reported that DeVon Rice paced the ground game with 71 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries, including a 33-yard scoring run in the second quarter that stands as the team’s longest rushing play of the season. Cam Barfield contributed 58 rushing yards, paired with 70 receiving yards, and punched in his first rushing touchdown of the year following his long screen reception. TJ Fo’ilefutu added a six-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to push the visitors past the 50-point threshold. The Bishop Gorman duo of Barfield and Rice combined for four rushing touchdowns on the afternoon.
Defense Forces Five Turnovers in Mountain West Road Rout
The Hawai’i defense limited Northern Illinois to 266 total yards while forcing five turnovers, Hawaii athletics reported. Nickelback Elijah Palmer led the defensive unit with a career-high eight tackles. Defensive back Jeremiah Hughes intercepted a pass for his third interception in two games, and teammate Kydel Stone added an interception in the fourth quarter.
Road Matchup at UTEP Awaits After Bye Week
The Rainbow Warriors enter a bye week before resuming play on November 7, 2026, with a road game against UTEP in El Paso, Texas, according to Hawaii athletics. The upcoming contest marks the next scheduled appearance for the program.