The 2025 college football season kicked off in exciting fashion with a clash between the Stanford Cardinal 🏈 and the Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors 🌈 on August 23, 2025, at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu. Both programs entered the season with fresh storylines, new leadership, and plenty of anticipation.
Stanford Cardinal Football 🏈
The Stanford Cardinal football program, now competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) after leaving the Pac-12, has a storied history in college football. With an all-time record of 665-478-49, the Cardinal has won two national championships and continues to play its home games at Stanford Stadium.
For the 2025 season, Stanford made a headline-grabbing move by hiring Frank Reich as interim head coach. Reich, a former NFL head coach with over 30 years of professional football experience, brings a wealth of knowledge to the college level. His hiring was orchestrated by Stanford’s new general manager, Andrew Luck, the former Cardinal quarterback and NFL star who once played under Reich with the Indianapolis Colts.
Stanford’s Key Players vs. Hawaii
- Micah Ford (RB): 113 rushing yards
- Ben Gulbranson (QB): 109 passing yards
Despite their efforts, Stanford fell just short in the opener.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Football 🌈
The Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors football team represents the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and competes in the Mountain West Conference. Their home stadium is the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu.
Since 2000, the Rainbow Warriors have claimed four conference championships and made national headlines with their 2008 Sugar Bowl appearance.
For the 2025 season, head coach Timmy Chang, now in his fourth year, looks to continue building a competitive program in the Mountain West.
Hawaii’s Key Player vs. Stanford
- Micah Alejado (QB): 210 passing yards, 2 touchdowns
Alejado’s strong performance proved decisive in the 23-20 victory over Stanford.
Final Score: Hawaii 23, Stanford 20
The game was tightly contested from start to finish, but the Rainbow Warriors held off Stanford to secure a 23-20 win. It was a promising start for Hawaiʻi’s season, while Stanford will look to regroup under its new coaching leadership.
College Football Rankings 2025 📈
As of now, neither Stanford nor Hawaiʻi is included in the 2025 preseason Top 25 college football rankings. Leading the national preseason polls are:
- Texas
- Ohio State
- Penn State
College football analyst J.D. PicKell also released his personal “Perfect 2025 Preseason Top 25 Rankings,” offering detailed breakdowns of why each team landed in their spots heading into the season. While Stanford and Hawaiʻi were not featured, both programs aim to make noise later in the season.
Conclusion
The Stanford vs. Hawaii 2025 season opener was a thrilling matchup that showcased the potential of both programs. With Frank Reich’s leadership at Stanford and Timmy Chang’s steady hand at Hawaiʻi, fans can expect an exciting season ahead. While neither team begins the year ranked, their performances will determine how the season unfolds in the competitive world of college football.