FRESNO, Calif. — In an exciting showdown on Saturday night, Brayden Schager made a significant impact by throwing two touchdown passes in the final quarter, leading Hawaii to a narrow 21-20 victory over Fresno State. Schager concluded the contest going 29-for-53 with a total of 244 yards, contributing three touchdowns against one interception. His key target, Nick Cenacle, shone brightly with 12 receptions for 111 yards, while Tylan Hines added a solid performance with 66 yards on the ground from 12 attempts.

The thrilling comeback began when Schager found Cenacle in the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown, part of a lengthy 12-play, 87-yard drive. This drive, which included two successful fourth-down conversions, helped Hawaii pull closer with a score of 20-14 with 9:04 remaining in the game. Following several stalled offensive possessions from both teams, Schager connected with a wide-open Cenacle for the defining touchdown that shifted the momentum in favor of the Rainbow Warriors.

Hawaii kicked off the game with an impressive 12-play drive that covered 75 yards and took 7 minutes and 48 seconds off the clock, culminating with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Schager to Pofele Ashlock, setting the score at 7-0. Fresno State quickly matched the pace, answering back with a drive of their own that saw Elijah Gilliam score on a 10-yard run. This once again tied the game at 7-7 with just 1:32 left in the first quarter.

In a critical moment, Hawaii attempted a fourth-and-1 conversion near midfield, but Malachi Langley’s strip-sack of Schager was recovered by Zhen Sotelo, giving Fresno State possession at the Hawaii 28-yard line. Shortly thereafter, Mikey Keene threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Raylen Sharpe, pushing Fresno State ahead 13-7 with 10:21 left in the second quarter, thanks to a blocked PAT by Cameron Stone.

Fresno’s momentum surged when Tuasivi Nomua tipped a pass from Schager, which was intercepted by Phoenix Jackson, who scampered 89 yards down the right sideline, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 20-7 with 3:58 left in the third quarter. Despite their offensive struggles throughout the season, averaging 378.5 yards per game, the Bulldogs managed only 191 total yards, with a mere 19 yards coming from rushing attempts.