UH holds off Rice to earn third straight win of the season

Hawaii sophomore quarterback Cole McDonald threw four touchdown passes to three different receivers as the Warriors held on for a 43-29 win over Rice at Aloha Stadium. Hawaii improved to 3-0 on the season.

Hawaii defensive back Eugene Ford (8) gets hyped with players from the Oahu Little League champions prior to the start of the first half of the game against the Rice Owls on Saturday at Aloha Stadium. Hawaii improved to 3-0 on the season.

Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) throws the football against the Rice Owls.

Hawaii wide receiver Cedric Byrd (6) hauls in a pass in the end zone for a touchdown ahead of Rice safety Houston Robert (29).

Rice safety Houston Robert (29) breaks up a pass intended for Hawaii wide receiver John Ursua (5).

Hawaii linebacker Solomon Matautia (27) tries to stop Rice tight end Jordan Myers (7).

Hawaii defensive lineman Kaimana Padello (96) sacks Rice quarterback Shawn Stankavage (3).

Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) finds the end zone for a touchdown against the Rice Owls.

Hawaii defensive lineman Zeno Choi (99) bears down on Rice quarterback Shawn Stankavage (3).

Hawaii defensive back Kalen Hicks (16) gestures after a defensive turnover in Hawaii's favor.

Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) rushes the ball against the Rice Owls.

Hawaii wide receiver John Ursua (5) hauls in a pass ahead of Rice safety Houston Robert (29).

Hawaii running back Fred Holly III (21) soars over Rice linebacker Martin Nwakamma (31).

Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai (31) forces Rice wide receiver Rhett Cardwell (83) out of bounds.

Hawaii running back Fred Holly III (21) gets around Rice defensive end Graysen Schantz (94) on the way to a touchdown.

Hawaii defensive lineman Derek Thomas (48), bottom, and defensive lineman Samiuela Akoteu (91) work to bring down Rice quarterback Shawn Stankavage (3).

Hawaii running back Fred Holly III (21) finds the end zone for a touchdown against the Rice Owls.

Hawaii running back Fred Holly III (21) celebrates his touchdown against the Rice Owls.

Hawaii wide receiver Cedric Byrd (6), middle, celebrates with team mates JoJo Ward, left, and Fred Holly III after his touchdown.

Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) embraces running back Fred Holly III (21) after Holly's touchdown against the Rice Owls.

Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich looks on during the game.

Hawaii defensive back Rojesterman Farris II (4) nearly intercepts a pass intended for Rice wide receiver Aaron Cephus (28).

Rice wide receiver Austin Trammell (10) gets past Hawaii defensive back Kalen Hicks (16) on the way to a touchdown.

Hawaii wide receiver Cedric Byrd (6) cuts between Rice defensive back Prudy Calderon (4), left, and cornerback Brandon Douglas-Dotson (3) on the way to a touchdown.

Hawaii wide receiver Marcus Armstrong-Brown (85) dives into the end zone for a touchdown ahead of Rice cornerback Brandon Douglas-Dotson (3).

Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich gestures from the sideline as quarterback Cole McDonald (13) looks on.

Hawaii running back Fred Holly III (21) is lifted by defensive back Manu Hudson-Rasmussen (14) after his late touchdown against the Rice Owls during the fourth quarter.

Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich, left, talks with Rice head coach Mike Bloomgren after the game. Hawaii held on to win 43-29.