K'vion Thunderbird, a transfer from Arizona State, extends a one-point Bulldogs' lead with 5 minutes, 20 seconds left in the game by returning an interception 59 yards for a touchdown. (Fresno State/Jon Yetter)
- Fresno State overcomes a multitude of mistakes to prevail, 23-21, over Hawai'i for its first victory in the islands since 2019.
- The Bulldogs limit Hawai'i QB Micah Alejado to 219 yards passing and 28 completions on 47 throws.
- Fresno State improves to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the Mountain West. Hawai'i drops to 3-2 and 0-1.
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One of the biggest tests for a football team is overcoming self-inflicted mistakes.
Fresno State passed that test Saturday night at Hawai’i and prevailed, 23-21, for its first victory in the islands since 2019.
K’vion Thunderbird
Sophomore linebacker K’vion Thunderbird soared for the Bulldogs as they opened their Mountain West schedule with a victory and improved to 4-1 this season.
Thunderbird, a transfer from Arizona State, extended a one-point Bulldogs’ lead with 5 minutes, 20 seconds left in the game by returning an interception 59 yards for a touchdown.
Leading by eight points, the Bulldogs escaped overtime when Hawai’i’s two-point pass try failed following Blaze Kamoku’s 10-yard TD pass catch with 10 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs then covered the football on Hawai’i’s onside kick.
Fresno State’s defense forced four turnovers with interceptions from three different players. Thunderbird led the Bulldogs with eight tackles. Fresno State limited Hawai’i QB Micah Alejado to 219 yards passing and 28 completions on 47 throws. In addition, the Rainbow Warriors gained just 95 yards on the ground on 26 carries.
However, the Bulldogs had three fumbles, losing one, and placekicker Dylan Lynch had a miserable night, making 1 of 4 field-goal attempts.
Offensively, E. J. Warner completed 22-of-29 pass attempts for 230 yards and a touchdown while connecting with nine different receivers.
What a great group of #RedWave in Hawaii tonight. Can not thank you enough for the support you provide @FresnoStateFB pic.twitter.com/GXW3DpfxI9
— Coach Matthew Entz (@Coach_Entz) September 21, 2025
Bulldogs Dig Their Own Hole Early
De’jon Benton strip-sacked Warner in the end zone and the Rainbow Warriors (3-2) got a safety midway through the opening quarter. They made it 9-0 when Jamih Otis turned a Bulldogs fumble into a 37-yard touchdown.
However, Fresno State righted the ship on Warner’s 13-yard TD toss to Richie Anderson III with 38 seconds left in the first half.
A Tense Second Half
The teams traded scoreless drives to open the second half before Hawai’i got on the board with a 40-yard Kansei Matsuzawa field goal.
The Bulldogs later took four plays to find the end zone as Warner faced pressure and pitched forward to Kamron Beachem, who turned the play into a 64-yard gain to the Hawai’i 1-yard line. Bryson Danielson powered it in, and Lynch’s extra point gave the Bulldogs a 13-12 lead.
Fresno State took a 16-15 lead into the fourth quarter because of an Al’zillion Hamilton 42-yard interception return setting up a 27-yard Lynch field goal.
sang so the whole island could hear 🎶 pic.twitter.com/7nlCQY7y52
— Fresno State Football (@FresnoStateFB) September 21, 2025
Up Next
Fresno State has its first bye week of the season before returning home to host Nevada on Oct. 4.
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