MĀNOA — If there's anyone who understands the dangers of Portland State's football program, it's University of Hawai‘i head coach Timmy Chang.
Chang was a true freshman on the 2000 UH football team, a program that was coming off a 9-4 season in 1999. Fifty thousand fans filled a sold-out Aloha Stadium in the team's 2000 season opener, most anticipating a blowout over Portland State of the FCS. The rout was on indeed, but not in favor of the home team. The Vikings walloped the Warriors 45-20, setting the tone for a disappointing 3-9 season.
In 2025, the Rainbow Warriors are 2-1, its most recent victory a 37-20 win over a Sam Houston squad that won 10 games in 2024. Meanwhile, Portland State is 0-3 with two losses to FCS teams, most recently a 50-20 loss at North Dakota on Sept. 6. The Vikings have been outscored a total of 161-20, but Chang didn't want to hear about how his team is heavily favored heading into Saturday's homecoming matchup.
The sun was barely up at the start of Tuesday morning's practice, but Chang lit into his team, raising his voice and demanding focus out of players and coaches alike.
"Coming off of Stanford and going into Arizona, I thought that our focus was not there. And so coming off of a win, homecoming week, a lot of different things going on. The focus has got to be us, and there's got to be a lot of discipline, a lot of details," Chang said. "And so this week, coaches have the green light to get into the guys, and we're focusing on us and breaking bad habits, because Portland State, go back to the year 2000. We don't take anything for granted. We got to go out there and work hard."
Added star receiver Pofele Ashlock: "When coach Chang gets us ready, it gets us going. It's something that we take by heart. ... We can't get too complacent about Sam Houston. We knew we were supposed to do that. Arizona, same way, we're supposed to go out there and win. That's just the mentality — not stay on the wins too long. Just move on and just keep going. I think that was the biggest thing: Don't take these guys as (only) an FCS opponent. Go put our foot on their neck."
While the outside assumption may have been to rest regular starting quarterback Micah Alejado for another week, especially considering Weaver's performance against Sam Houston, Alejado was back on the practice field on Tuesday, splitting his time between reps and rehab.
Following practice, Chang again called Alejado a game-time decision. Chang also didn't notice a change in Weaver's demeanor from his first win as an FBS starter to Tuesday.
"He's really the same guy. That's kind of what makes Luke go. He's very even-keeled. Doesn't get too high, doesn't get too low, very cerebral," Chang said. "I love that about him, his temperament, and that's what gives him a chance to have some success out there. We'll go back and watch the film for practice today. We watched the game film, and then we just come to continue correcting until he gets another shot, if that may be Saturday."
Saturday's 6 p.m. contest at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex will serve as UH's annual homecoming game. It was also serve as a homecoming for Portland State quarterback John-Keawe Sagapolutele, a Punahou alumnus who was UH's backup quarterback in 2024.
"Love John. We recruited him here. Island boy, and he's coming home to play, and I know he's looking forward for the opportunity to just compete," Chang said. "I expect him to play really well."
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Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
