Despite generating 494 yards of offense, the Air Force Falcons were defeated by Hawai’i, 44-35, on Saturday at Falcon Stadium. With this victory, Hawai’i retains possession of the Kuter Trophy, awarded annually to the winner of the matchup between the two teams.
Sophomore quarterback Liam Szarka made his first career start for Air Force and led the team in both passing and rushing. Szarka completed 10 of 12 passes for 278 yards and rushed 17 times for 139 yards. His total of 417 yards set a new single-game record at the Academy.
Senior receivers Cade Harris and Quin Smith were key contributors in the passing game with 116 and 110 receiving yards respectively. Both players scored touchdowns. Senior tight end Bruin Fleischmann added two catches for 19 yards and a touchdown. This game marked the first time since November 23, 2019, that Air Force had two receivers surpassing 100 yards and three players with a receiving touchdown in a single contest.
Hawai’i (4-2, 1-1 Mountain West) opened scoring early after running back Cam Barfield broke free for a long gain on their opening drive. Quarterback Micah Alejado then connected with Jackson Harris for an early touchdown. Air Force responded quickly as Szarka’s long run set up an equalizing score to Fleischmann.
Hawai’i regained momentum with another touchdown pass from Alejado before Air Force failed to convert on fourth down deep in UH territory. The Rainbow Warriors extended their lead to halftime following a lengthy drive capped by a field goal.
In the second half, Szarka found Smith for a big gain that set up Kade Frew’s first touchdown of the season, narrowing the deficit to three points. However, Hawai’i capitalized on an interception thrown by Szarka which led to another Barfield touchdown run.
Szarka later connected with Harris for a 73-yard score—the second consecutive week they combined for such a long play—bringing Air Force closer on the scoreboard. A failed onside kick attempt gave Hawai’i favorable field position leading to another field goal by Kansei Matsuzawa who continued his streak as Mountain West’s active leader in consecutive field goals made this season (16 straight).
The Falcons mounted another scoring drive highlighted by significant plays from Smith and Szarka before Kemper Hodges ran in his second touchdown of the year. Hawai’i quickly answered with another long scoring drive as Alejado found Harris again for their third passing touchdown.
Air Force managed one more quick strike through Smith but could not close the gap further as time expired following another Matsuzawa field goal that finalized Hawai’i’s win at 44-35.
With this performance, Air Force recorded its nation-leading streak of consecutive games with over 100 rushing yards—now at 89 games.
Next week, Air Force (1-3, 0-3 MW) will begin its campaign for the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy against Navy in Annapolis on October 4 at noon MT at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
