The Rainbow Warriors played 13 games last season, taking advantage of the Hawaii Exemption. This NCAA bylaw allows Hawaii and its opponents to play an additional regular season game to offset travel costs. But this season, the Rainbow Warriors are one game short of the standard regular season 12 games, at least for now.
With just 11 opponents, Hawaii is looking to schedule one more, but they’ll either have to force an FBS team to play an extra game or risk a bowl invite by playing a second FCS team. While Hawaii sorts those details, let’s look at the Rainbow Warriors 2024 schedule as it is today.
Hawaii 2024 Football Schedule
- vs. UCLA Bruins
Saturday, August 31 - at Sam Houston State Bearkats
Saturday, September 14 - vs. Northern Idaho Panthers
Saturday, September 21 - at Fresno State Bulldogs
TBD - vs. Boise State Broncos
TBD - vs. Nevada Wolf Pack
TBD - vs. New Mexico Lobos
TBD - vs. UNLV Rebels
TBD - at San Diego State Aztecs
TBD - at Utah State Aggies
TBD - at Washington State Cougars
TBD
Hawaii launches right into the gauntlet by hosting a Power Five team, the UCLA Bruins, in the first game of the season. Just the fifth matchup between the schools, the Bruins will be making their first trip to Honolulu since 1939 when they beat the Rainbow Warriors in the Poi Bowl, 32-7.
For now, the Rainbow Warriors go directly into a bye week, until a 12th opponent is scheduled. Their lone road non-conference matchup pairs them in a favorable matchup against relative FBS newcomer Sam Houston State before hosting its lone FCS opponent the following week, Northern Idaho.
The Rainbow Warriors have some tough road matchups in Mountain West play, traveling to San Diego State, Fresno State, and Utah State.
San Diego State beat Hawaii last season, 41-34, while Fresno State won the last matchup in 2022, 55-13, and Utah State is in the midst of a seven-game winning streak over the Rainbow Warriors.
With Washington State and Oregon State entering a scheduling alliance with the Mountain West due to the instability of the Pac-12, the Rainbow Warriors are slated to go on the road to face the Washington Cougars. It will be the first game between the two schools since 2009.
KEEP READING: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Top 10 Returning Players in 2024
The home schedule is a little more favorable for the Rainbow Warriors, but not much more. They’ll face a Nevada team they beat last season, 27-14, but they have a nine-game losing streak to Nevada and lost to New Mexico and UNLV last season.
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