By Packy Moore

HONOLULU, Hawaii –– Delaware State football comes into this game being the first HBCU to play Hawaii since 1979 and looks to be a part of history Saturday evening versus Hawaii.

“The time change, the travel, and the logistics, We’re looking forward to this game,” said head coach Lee Hull during a special week 0 MEAC Weekly interview call.

Where to watch or listen: 

Watch: Spectrum TV

Listen: ESPN Honolulu

Head Coach 

Lee Hull

Career Record: 13-22 (4th Season)

Record at DSU: 1-10 (2nd Season)

2024 Captains:

#0, Charles Brown Jr (LB)

#8, Edward Core (TE)

#94, Darren Cook (DL)

#75, Diu Dau (OL)

Series Information: First Meeting

MEAC PRESEASON  ALL-CONFERENCE

Edward Core was named to the preseason all-conference second-team offense. Core returns as a powerhouse tight end, collecting 424 receiving yards and three touchdowns last season.

Standout Defensive Lineman Darren Cook was named to the preseason all-conference second-team defense. Cook totaled 36 tackles last season, 21 solo tackles, and 15 assisted. Rounding off for the Hornets, Eric Montes secured a spot on the preseason all-conference second-team

RETURNING STARTERS

The Hornets return a total of nine starters on the offensive side of the ball, and six starters on the defensive side.

COACHING CHANGES

The Hornets added one new coach for 2024: Wide receiver coach Preston Brown.

Coach Brown joined the Hornets after spending the last season as the tight ends coach at the University of Maryland. At Maryland, Brown contributed to a passing game that produced four offensive players with 40+ catches and over 2,000 yards of receiving production.

Scouting the Rainbow Warriors

• UH has won its last 20 games against FCS teams dating back to 2001 with an average win margin of 25.9 points per game.

• UH has a 3-4 all-time record in Week 0 including a 1-1 mark at home.

• Hawai’i is 63-39-5 (.612) all-time in season openers, including a 30-29-1 mark against collegiate opponents.

The Hornets play on Saturday, August 24, at 6:00 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time on Spectrum TV.

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai’i football team will kick off the 2024 season against Delaware State of the Football Championship Subdivision Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex. The Rainbow Warriors (0-0) have won their last 20 meetings against FCS teams. The match-up also marks the first time UH will play an HBCU since Prairie View A&M in 1979.

Game Day Promotions:
To kick off the season we celebrate with our new department-wide “We’re Hawai’i” theme. Recognizing the uniqueness of our fan base, and what makes the University of Hawai’i special. Hawaiian Airlines will be handing out 4,000 roster cards and 3,000 UH hand fans inside Gate 2. The UH marketing team will be distributing 2,000 2024 Rainbow Warriors collectable schedule posters at Gate 2, Gate 3, and Gate 8. In honor of the 2024 Summer Olympics we’ll honor current and former student-athletes who represented their home countries as Olympians. We also welcome back the inaugural Rainbow Wahine soccer team from 1994 season as the program will be recognized for its 30-year anniversary.

HAWAI’I (0-0) vs. DELAWARE STATE (0-0)
Date | Time				Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 | 6:00 p.m. HT
Location | Stadium				Honolulu, O’ahu | Clarence T.C. Ching Complex (15,194)
Game Day Information				Click here for the latest information about tickets, parking, food & beverage, activities and more.
Television				Spectrum Sports PPV. Kanoa Leahey (play-by-play), Rich Miano (analyst), and Jordan Helle (sideline).
Radio				ESPN Honolulu (1420AM/92.7FM). John Veneri (play-by-play) and Mark Veneri (analyst).
Streaming Audio				ESPNHonolulu.com & Sideline Hawaii app
Live Stats				HawaiiAthletics.com
Game Notes				Hawai’i | DSU | Mountain West
Digital Program				Click here
Social Media				@HawaiiFootball  | #HawaiiFB | @RainbowWarriorsFootball  | Facebook

SERIES VS DELAWARE STATE 

Series Information: First Meeting

GAME STORYLINES

• Delaware State is UH’s first HBCU opponent since Prairie View A&M in 1979 (UH won 65-0 in Honolulu). Hawai’i also played Grambling three times in Honolulu (1972, ’75, ’76), losing all three contests and also hosted Texas Southern in 1973 (UH won 24-21).
• UH will open the season against an FCS opponent for the first time since 2009 (Central Arkansas; UH won 25-20). Hawai’i has opened the season against a non-FBS opponent 10 previous times with an 8-2 mark.
• UH has won its last 20 games against FCS teams dating back to 2001 with an average win margin of 25.9 points per game.
• Not including the shortened 2020 COVID season, UH has played an FCS opponent in 10 consecutive seasons and 16 of the last 17.
• Hawai’i is also scheduled to play Northern Iowa later this season, marking the first time UH will play two FCS opponents in the same season since 2007.
• UH has a 3-4 all-time record in Week 0 including a 1-1 mark at home.
• Hawai’i is 63-39-5 (.612) all-time in season openers, including a 30-29-1 mark against collegiate opponents.
• UH has dropped its last three season openers after winning the previous four.
• UH’s all-time record in the month of August is 7-10 (Division I era).
• Head coach Timmy Chang begins his third season at his alma mater, where he has compiled an 8-18 career mark and 5-11 in Mountain West play.
• Hawai’i returns nine starters on offense, six on defense, and one specialist.
• The 2024 season marks the fourth season that Hawai’i will play its home games at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex. UH has an 11-9 all-time record at Ching Complex.
• Quarterback Brayden Schager has made 22 consecutive starts dating back to the 2022 season, which is tied for third longest in program history. Bryant Moniz has the record with 26 from 2009-11 followed by Garrett Gabriel (25 from 1989-90). Last season Schager led Mountain West in passing yards (3,542), passing TDs (26), and points responsible for (168).