HONOLULU — Day 1 of Mountain West media days doubled as a motivational seminar in Las Vegas for the Hawaii football team.
Before player interviews commenced at the Circa Resort and Casino on Wednesday, it was revealed that UH was picked to finish ninth among 12 teams for the upcoming 2024 season, as voted by 46 media members around the league.
In addition, no Rainbow Warriors were picked to the 28-player MWC preseason all-conference team (12 offense, 12 defense, four special teams).
It was the second time in three years that UH did not place a player on the league’s preseason team.
UH’s player representatives at media days, senior quarterback Brayden Schager and junior safety Peter Manuma, brushed the polls aside and laid out their vision for the coming season coming off a 5-8 campaign (3-5 MWC, eighth place) in 2023.
Only San Jose State, New Mexico and Nevada – three teams with new head coaches – were picked to finish lower than UH and third-year coach Timmy Chang. But Schager and Manuma noted UH closed last year with three wins in their last four games.
“We proved to ourselves that we could do it, so why not do it,” said Manuma, a Campbell High alumnus who led the ‘Bows in total tackles and interceptions with 87 and three in 2023. “It’s a big momentum-builder coming into this season. We’re going to continue to do what we did … but do it at a higher level.”
Schager said consistency of the offensive unit with nine returning starters, including his top targets, receivers Steven McBride and Pofele Ashlock, will be a factor in building on prior deeds. He also feels synchronized with quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison, a mentor who has returned to Manoa in a now-official capacity.
The Dallas native enters the year with 6,505 career passing yards, fifth all-time at UH. He lead the MWC in passing last year with 3,542 yards.
Schager entered the transfer portal after the 2023 season but asked to return and was welcomed back at spring practices in February.
To a question from MWC media, he said his confidence in himself and the run-and-shoot system is as high as it’s ever been.
“No question,” Schager said. “It’s not even close. You can just feel the difference, on the island, with everything we’re doing, it’s different than it’s been with the past years. I haven’t had a full understanding of what I’m doing, really, in the past years and finally I’m at the point where I’m very comfortable.”
Boise State, the reigning Mountain West champion, was picked for the 14th straight year to win the league. The Broncos garnered 38 of 46 first-place votes. UNLV received four and Fresno State four.
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty was named preseason offensive player of the year. BSU defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein and UNLV linebacker Jackson Woodard were the co-defensive players of the year. UNLV punt and kick returner Jacob De Jesus was special teams player of the year.
Chang will talk along with the league’s other 11 coaches, including Hawaii native and new San Jose State coach Ken Niumatalolo, at media days on Thursday.
UH begins fall camp practices on July 24 and opens the season Aug. 24 against Delaware State at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.
Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.