Hawaii football coach Timmy Chang’s first impression was not lasting.

In his college debut on Sept. 9, 2000, Chang was a bystander quarterback in the Rainbow Warriors’ stunning 45-20 loss to Division I-AA Portland State. The memories have long faded.

“That was 25 years ago. You want a 25-year-old memory, that’s Sean McVay,” said Chang, referencing the Los Angeles Rams head coach’s photographic memory. “I know we were 0-1 after that (season-opening loss). I can’t remember what the emotions were. That was a loss, and any time you lose, it’s one you want to get back or prevent.”

Since that night at Aloha Stadium, the Warriors have won 23 in a row against FCS teams. That includes a 49-35 victory over PSU on Sept. 4, 2021, the first UH home football game at the Ching Complex. Because of COVID-19 protocols, there were no fans in the stadium.

“We couldn’t take three coaches and 14 players because they were coughing or sneezing,” PSU coach Bruce Barnum recalled. “We had a skeletal crew that game. It was kind of eerie.”

PSU and UH have traveled separate paths to today’s game at the Ching Complex.

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The 0-3 Vikings have endured injuries and a challenging schedule. It took 118 offensive plays and three games to score their first touchdown. They are averaging 6.7 points per game, 3.5 yards per play. In the second half of a 69-0 loss to BYU, the Vikings had 12 plays for minus-3 yards. They have not converted on any of their three field-goal attempts.

The Warriors are 2-1 — their first winning record after three games in Chang’s four-season tenure — including a Power Four victory over Stanford. Last week, quarterback Luke Weaver started in place of the ailing Micah Alejado, throwing for 294 yards and three touchdowns. Kansei Matsuzawa, who connected on three field goals, is perfect on eight attempts this season.

In a heated practice on Tuesday, Chang delivered several fiery speeches. On Wednesday, associate head coach Chris Brown upped the volume — and adjectives — in his “pep” talk. Chang said he wanted the players to bury the past, from 25 years ago and from last week.

“I want our guys to understand what’s in front of them and not what’s behind, and continue to grow,” Chang said. “We’re focused on this opponent. And we’ve got to practice well and play well. If we practice well throughout the week, and we’re focused, we’ll give ourselves an opportunity to be successful. That’s what we’re focusing on.”

For the second week in a row, Alejado’s availability is listed as a “game-time decision.” Alejado participated in skeletal drills this week. Weaver took all the first-unit snaps in team sessions.

The Vikings project John-Keawe Sagapolutele as their starting quarterback despite absorbing several hits from North Dakota last week. Sagapolutele, who transferred to PSU in January after two seasons with the Warriors, made his first NCAA start against the Fighting Hawks. He was the third quarterback to start in as many games; the Vikings have used four QBs this season.

Of the injuries, PSU rush end Spencer Elliott said: “Football is a violent sport. You can’t control a lot of the things that go on. Everybody has a next-man-up mentality. It’s terrible when you see your guys go down. Absolutely. It’s a long season. You’ve got guys two deep, three deep, who are going to step up and play just as good a football as the guys in front of them,”

The Vikings arrived on Thursday afternoon. They were allowed an hour of free time on Thursday and Friday, presumably at Waikiki Beach, with two stipulations: They had to wear T-shirts to prevent sunburn and footwear to avoid stepping on coral. And by overwhelming approval, two of the team meals will be provided by Zippy’s.