Photos: Arizona opens at home with a 40-6 win over Hawaii
Arizona got off on the right foot, scoring early and grinding Hawaii down for an eventual 40-6 win to start their pre-conference season, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona defensive lineman Tre Smith (3), left, Tiaoalii Savea (98) and linebacker Max Harris (4) knock Hawaii running back Landon Sims (30) out of his helmet and dropping him for a loss in the second quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona defensive back Ayden Garnes (9) makes the stretch off a block to get a hand on Hawaii wide receiver Pofele Ashlock (5) and slow him down after a catch in the first quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona wide receiver Isaiah Mizell (17) makes a one-handed catch of his own deflected pass against Hawaii in the second quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener, Aug. 30.
Arizona running back Kedrick Reescano gestures into the stands after dashing almost untouched up the middle for the first score of the night in the first half against Hawaii on Aug. 30 in Tucson.
Arizona running back Quincy Craig (24) dives for the pylon to beat three Hawaii defenders to the end zone for the second Wildcat touchdown of the night in the second quarter of the season opener, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona wide receiver Javin Whatley (6) makes the most of his two steps behind Hawaii defensive back Elijah Palmer (4) to get the Wildcats inside the ten in the second quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona wide receiver Brandon Phelps (18) gestures for a first down after hauling a bomb to the get the Wildcats in the Red Zone against Hawaii in the third quarter, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan tries to make his point to the officials after the Wildcats were penalized in the third quarter of the season opener against Hawaii, Aug. 30, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Hawaii wide receiver Jackson Harris (9) uses his half-step on Arizona defensive back Michael Dansby (25) to cradle a first down catch during the third quarter, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona defensive lineman Deshawn McKnight (0) celebrates dropping Hawaii running back Cam Barfield (0) for a loss on a stand in the third quarter, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona defensive lineman Julian Savaiinaea (41) tosses the ball away in celebration after recovering it on a Hawaii fumble, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona defensive back Johno Price (21) gets a hand to knock away the ball and keep Hawaii wide receiver Brandon White (1) from a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona defensive lineman Tre Smith (3) flushes Hawaii quarterback Luke Weaver out of the pocket in the fourth quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener, Aug. 30, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona defensive back Gavin Hunter (23) can’t keep Hawaii wide receiver Tama Uiliata (8) from an over the shoulder catch into the red zone, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona running back Quincy Craig (24) kicks his way free of Hawaii defensive back Kona Moore (2) to tack on more yardage on a fourth-quarter run, Aug. 30, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona defensive lineman Chancellor Owens (90) lets go a big yell after a sack in the fourth quarter on Hawaii, Aug. 30, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona tight end Sam Olson (84) flips the ball to the back judge after scoring a TD on a wide open catch in the back of the end zone in the third quarter versus Hawaii, Aug. 30, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona defensive lineman Leroy Palu (95) brings down Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado (12) in a collapsing pocket for a sack, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
UA quarterback Noah Fifita (1) can’t outrun Hawaii defensive lineman Jackie Johnson III (57) who drags him down for a sack, Aug. 30, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona linebacker Taye Brown (6), center, draws a happy crowd as defensive linemen Mays Pese (99), left, and Julian Savaiinaea (41) celebrate his intercepting of Hawaii in the third quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener, Aug. 30, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita points skyward after scrambling for a touchdown vs. Hawaii during the third quarter of the season opener, Aug. 30, 2025.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1) skips through the line and Hawaii defensive lineman Jamar Sekona (77) on a keeper in the season opener, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona wide receiver Gio Richardson (5) loses his grip on a circus catch, slamming into the ground in the arms of Hawaii defensive back Elijah Palmer (4) in the third quarter, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Hawaii defensive lineman De'Jon Benton (79) rides Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1) to the ground, sacking him in the fourth quarter of the game, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona running back Quincy Craig (24) doesn’t quite tightrope his way down the line as Hawaii defensive back Kona Moore (2) flies in to stop him short of the goal line in the fourth quarter of the Wildcats’ season opener, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona running back Ismail Mahdi (21) gets hi-lowed by Hawaii defensive back Semaj James (0), top, and defensive back Justin Sinclair (21) stopping his run around end in the fourth quarter, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona running back Kedrick Reescano (3) gets hauled down by the top of his helmet in a scrum of Hawaii defenders in the first quarter of the game, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona linebacker Chase Kennedy comes out with the ball after recovering a Hawaii fumble during the second quarter, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Arizona defensive back Gavin Hunter gets a congratulatory hug and yell from coach James Perez after his heavy hit dislodged the ball and kept Hawaii from a first down catch during the second quarter, Aug. 30, 2025, at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona defensive back Ayden Garnes (9) flies in and upends a Hawaii receiver in the second quarter, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
It’s hot in the horn section as the Pride of Arizona performs before kickoff against Hawaii in Arizona’s season opener, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1) stands in as the line buys him time to throw against Hawaii, Aug. 30.
Hawaii linebacker Jamih Otis (11) gets away with a jersey tug as he keeps Arizona tight end Sam Olson (84) from getting his hands on a throw over the middle, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona coach Brent Brennan flashes the Wildcat hand sign to fans as he and the team make their way to Arizona Stadium in the “Wildcat Walk” before their game against Hawaii for the season opener, Aug. 30, 2025.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1), left, greets former Wildcat and current Dolphin offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea at the end the Wildcat Walk before the Wildcats’ season opener against Hawaii, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Former Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan gets some high fives during the Wildcat Walk to the team’s season opener versus Hawaii on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Hevynn Heimuli, left, and Tavita Iereneo dance to Drew Cooper’s performance at the Bear Down Bash on Bear Down field, the pre-game party before Arizona’s season opening game against Hawaii, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Former Arizona kicker Tyler Loop leads the team out for the coin toss as an honorary caption for the team’s game Hawaii, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Former Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan poses for a photo with mayor Regina Romero along the sidelines in the first quarter of the Wildcats game with Hawaii, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Former Arizona defensive back Randy Robbins walks off the field with athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois following his induction in the ring of fame during a break in action of the game against Hawaii, August 30, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
The Pride of Arizona takes the field for the pre-game entertainment as the Wildcats prepare to face Hawaii to open their season, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
5 takeaways from Arizona’s 40-6 season-opening win over Hawaii | Michael LevMichael Lev column: Breaking down Arizona’s season-opening win over Hawaii, including the Wildcats’ newfound physicality, their resuscitated run game and their relentless defense.
Arizona caused five takeaways and rushed for four touchdowns to rout the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
Arizona caused five takeaways and rushed for four touchdowns to rout the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
Notable storylines, statistics and quotes from Arizona football's season-opening win over the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.