This time last season, Hawaii opened the 2022 season in humbling fashion. Merely two-possession underdogs, hype and fanfare disappeared as Vanderbilt’s 35-point third quarter led the way to a shocking 53-point victory for the Commodores. The message was clear for Hawaii fans: curb your enthusiasm.
Fast forward to the present, and this edition of Hawaii vs. Vanderbilt produced a different reaction: cautious optimism. Stupid special teams mistakes and breakdowns in the secondary prevented Hawaii from upsetting 17.5-point favorite Vanderbilt, losing 35-28 despite the reinvented run-and-shoot offense thriving in its 2023 debut.
Mind you, everyone in the building got off to a slow start thanks to a near two-hour delay because of lightning in the area.