LAMARIE, Wyo. — The University of Hawai‘i football team will enter the game against one of its long-standing Mountain West Conference rivals, the University of Wyoming, with significant momentum coming off their season-opening 34-19 victory against Fresno State.
The two rivals will clash for the Paniolo Trophy, which is one of four rivalry trophies in the MWC, one which Hawai‘i has held since 2018 after their 17-13 victory over the Cowboys in Honolulu.
If the Rainbows overhaul the Cowboys today, it will mark the fourth consecutive year the University of Hawai‘i began the season 2-0, and the first on new head coach Todd Graham.
There is no place like home
One factor that looks to play into the Cowboys’ advantage is a big one: the home-field advantage.
The weather variable looks to be favorable as the Rainbow Warriors head to Lamarie, Wyoming, but it will be significantly-colder temperatures than the Rainbow Warriors are used to playing in on the mainland.
Unfortunately for the Rainbows, the weather forecast is favorable for Wyoming, given that the region has experienced a significant amount of snowfall for this time of year.
The weather forecast calls for sun the entire day, with the temperature being between the mid-30s and dropping into the mid-20s, with no snow accumulation predicted..
The wind shouldn’t affect the kicking game much, as it is only projected to be at 10 MPH.
It is most likely that unfavorable weather conditions have played a significant role in the outcome for the Rainbow Warriors, who haven’t won a game in Wyoming since 1991.
Since joining the Mountain West, UH is 11-22 all time in conference road games, and 7-2 since the start of the 2018 season.
Eliminating the big play
Wyoming has demonstrated its ability to be explosive in the early portion of the season.
In their season-opening loss to Nevada, the Cowboys offense generated several big-time plays.
Wyoming had a total of six running plays of 10 yards or more.
Stuffing the run
Sophomore Xazavian Valladay led the Mountain West in rushing in 2019.
Valladay averaged 105.4 rushing yards per game to rank No. 1 in the MW and No. 18 in the NCAA.
Valladay had 1,265 rushing yards led the Mountain West in 2019, and had seven 100-yard plus games.
In pursuit of perfection
Sophomore quarterback Chevan Cordeiro has a perfect 5-0 record as the Rainbow Warriors’ starting quarterback.
Cordeiro, who is replacing Cole McDonald, has yet to lose a start, and he will try to guide the Rainbow Warriors to their first victory over the Cowboys since 1991.
Where to watch
• When: Friday, Oct. 30, 2020
• Time: 7:45 p.m. MT/3:45 p.m HT
• Where: Laramie, Wyo.
• Stadium: War Memorial Stadium
• Television: FS1 (Spectrum Ch. 214/HD 1214 and Hawaiian Telcom Ch. 75/HD 1075). Chris Myers (play-by-play) and Petros Papadakis (analyst).
• Radio: ESPN Honolulu (1420AM/92.7FM). Bobby Curran (play-by-play) and John Veneri (analyst). KRKH (Maui), KPUA (Hawai‘i Island), and KTOH-HD3 (Kaua‘i). Chris Hart and Gary Dickman hosts the “Countdown To Kickoff” at 1:45 p.m.
• Video Streaming: foxsports.com/live or the FOX Sports GO app.
• Audio Streaming: ESPNHonolulu.com/Sideline Hawaii app
• Live Stats: HawaiiAthletics.com
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Jason Blasco, reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or jblasco@thegardenisland.com.
