It’s personal. When you talk about uh vs fresno football, you aren't just talking about another Saturday on the schedule. You’re talking about decades of bad blood, a literal screwdriver, and some of the weirdest finishes in college football history. This isn't a "rivalry" in the corporate, polished sense. It's a "we actually don't like each other" kind of deal.
The two programs have played 57 times as of the 2025 season. Fresno State currently holds the upper hand with a 31-25-1 lead. But don't let the record fool you; this series is defined by the absolute chaos that happens when a team from the Central Valley of California meets a team from the middle of the Pacific.
Why Do They Hate Each Other?
Honestly, it started with the fans and the travel. Fresno fans are notoriously loud and... let's say "expressive." Hawaii fans are incredibly protective of their home turf. Back in the WAC (Western Athletic Conference) days, these two were the heavyweights. If you wanted to win the conference, you had to go through the other.
The rivalry actually has a name: The Battle for the Golden Screwdriver.
It’s exactly what it sounds like. Legend (and some very real police reports) says that back in 2002, Fresno State fans allegedly threw screwdrivers at Hawaii players and coaches. Then-Hawaii coach June Jones famously called Fresno "the worst place in the world" to play. Hawaii fans eventually created a trophy—a literal golden screwdriver—to mock the incident. It’s petty. It’s hilarious. It’s perfect.
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The Heartbreaker in 2025
The most recent meeting on September 20, 2025, was a total gut punch for the Rainbow Warriors. Playing at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, Hawaii looked like they had it. Their defense was playing lights out. They actually scored the first points of the game on a safety—how often do you see that?
Hawaii led 9-7 at halftime after linebacker Jamih Otis scooped up a fumble and took it 37 yards to the house. But the fourth quarter was a disaster for UH fans.
Sophomore linebacker K’Vion Thunderbird snagged a pick-6 and ran it back 59 yards. That play basically sealed Hawaii's fate. Even though Hawaii’s Micah Alejado threw a late touchdown to Blaze Kamoku with 10 seconds left, the two-point conversion failed. Fresno State walked away with a 23-21 win.
Moments That Defined the Series
You can't talk about uh vs fresno football without mentioning the 2001 and 2007 games. These are the ones that fans still argue about in sports bars from Fresno to Honolulu.
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- 2001: The David Carr Upset. Fresno State came into Honolulu ranked #18 in the nation with future #1 NFL draft pick David Carr. Hawaii absolutely wrecked their season. The Warriors forced two late fumbles and won 38-34.
- 2007: The Undefeated Run. Colt Brennan (RIP to a legend) was at his peak. Hawaii was ranked #14. Brennan went 28-for-29—just an absurd stat line—to beat Fresno 37-30 and keep their undefeated Sugar Bowl season alive.
- 2021: The Schager Debut. Brayden Schager, then a true freshman, led a 17-point fourth-quarter comeback to upset #18 Fresno State. It was the last time Hawaii beat a ranked opponent.
By The Numbers: A Prose Breakdown
If you look at the geography, Fresno State has usually protected their home turf better, leading 16-10-1 in games played in California. Hawaii is better at home but it's basically a coin flip at 15-15.
The scoring isn't subtle, either. Fresno State holds the record for the biggest blowout, a 70-14 demolition in 2004. Hawaii’s best showing was a 49-0 shut-out way back in 1970. In the modern era, since both joined the Mountain West in 2012, the Bulldogs have won 8 of the 13 matchups.
The Future: It’s Getting Weird
We are entering a strange era for this rivalry. With the massive conference realignments happening in 2026, Fresno State is heading to the rebuilt Pac-12. Hawaii, meanwhile, is sticking with the Mountain West as a football-only member for now.
The 2025 game was billed as the "final chapter" of them being in the same conference. That doesn't mean they'll stop playing, but the stakes feel different when it's not a conference game.
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Both teams finished the 2025 regular season with identical 9-4 records. Both ended their years with bowl wins—Hawaii beat California 35-31 in the Hawaii Bowl, and Fresno State handled Miami (OH) 18-3 in the Arizona Bowl. They are both trending upward, which makes the fact that they won't play every year even more annoying for fans.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of national media folks think this is a "friendly" island rivalry. It’s not. It’s physical and, frankly, kind of mean. When these teams meet, the penalty flags fly.
If you’re planning on attending a game in the future, keep these things in mind:
- The Time Zone is a Killer. If the game is in Hawaii, Fresno players are often playing at what feels like 1 AM. If it's in Fresno, Hawaii players are dealing with the dry, inland heat.
- Special Teams Matter. In the 2025 game, Hawaii’s Kansei Matsuzawa was perfect, hitting a 52-yarder. Fresno’s Dylan Lynch missed two early kicks. Those four points were the difference.
- The "Island Magic" is Real. Hawaii has a weird habit of winning games they have no business winning when they play at home at night.
Next Steps for Fans
If you want to keep up with the next iteration of this rivalry, your best bet is to follow the Mountain West and Pac-12 scheduling announcements for 2027 and beyond. Since they aren't conference bunkmates anymore, these games have to be scheduled as "out-of-conference" matchups, which usually happens 2-3 years in advance. Also, keep an eye on the transfer portal; several players have hopped between these two schools lately, adding even more spice to the locker room talk. Keep a close watch on the Mountain West's official site for the 2026-2027 "filler" schedules as the Pac-12 poaches their top talent.