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Screenwriters could not have crafted a more timely script than the University of Hawaii football team's homecoming game featuring a prodigal quarterback.
John-Keawe Sagapolutele, a Punahou School alumnus who left the Rainbow Warriors last December, returns as the probable starting quarterback for Portland State on Saturday at the Ching Complex.
"I'm pretty excited," Sagapolutele said in a telephone interview from Portland. "I can't wait to come back home. What's a better way than doing it while playing football?"
After being shut out in the first two games, the Vikings turned to Sagapolutele last week against North Dakota. He was the third Viking quarterback to start in as many games, and the fourth to take a snap this season. Sagapolutele was 11-for-17 for 146 yards in a 50-20 loss. But he threw the Vikings' only scoring pass of the season, and had three completions of at least 25 yards.
"We'll see," PSU coach Bruce Barnum said of Sagapolutele being healthy enough to take the first snap for the Vikings on Saturday. "He got a little banged up at North Dakota. As soon as my doctors patched him back together, he was out there throwing (on Tuesday). I'm hoping (Sagapolutele will start). He's playing well. He took some hits but he made some big plays. We're trying to get him patched up. That's the best way to say it."
As a Punahou senior in 2022, Sagapolutele was named the ILH Open Division Offensive Player of the Year. He redshirted as a UH freshman in 2023, and played in four games, completing four of seven passes, last year.
With the top of the depth chart cluttered and desire to seek a new experience, Sagapolutele entered the NCAA transfer portal.
"For sure, it was scary at first," he said. "When I initially hit the portal, I didn't know where I'd end up. That was the scary part, not knowing where I was going."
But the Vikings gathered a welcoming committee. Barnum said Sagapolutele checked all the boxes on the Vikings' wish list.
"When we found out he was out there, I wanted a quality guy in here," Barnum said. "I wanted a transfer. We started our research. I liked everything I heard. I liked his family, where he came from, everything. We went after him hard. We went full press on him. He was our No. 1 guy we wanted in here."
In January, Sagapolutele accepted Barnum's scholarship offer.
"They were the first ones to give me an opportunity," Sagapolutele said. "I was very grateful. I went with them as soon as they reached their hand out."
Sagapolutele had to adjust to PSU's academic calendar (quarter sessions instead of UH's semester system); the cold, flannel-shirt-wearing winter; and living on his own.
"It was a bit of an adjustment moving away from home," Sagapolutele said. "And living on the mainland was the hardest thing for me. After spring ball, I built a lot of connections with my teammates. They made me feel really comfortable, and I'm grateful for that."
He also studied the Vikings' history. Mouse Davis, co-creator of the modern run-and-shoot, was PSU's coach for six seasons through 1980. Former UH head coach June Jones was a prolific passer for the Vikings.
"That was really cool to learn the run-and-shoot originated here," Sagapolutele said.
Punahou aligned in a two-back set. Last year, the Warriors had a run-and-shoot base with Air Raid concepts and run-pass options. The Vikings run an Air Raid offense. Injuries to several receivers have hindered the connection with the quarterbacks.
"It's hard to get into a rhythm and build that chemistry when you're not sure about people's status," Sagapolutele said.
Barnum and teammates have helped make Sagapolutele feel at home. During this trip, the Vikings will order meals from Zippy's and other local food outlets.
"I like those musubis," Barnum said. "I love those damn things. They're hard to find here (in Portland) I'm going to try to eat those every meal (in Hawaii)."
Rush end Spencer Elliott said Sagapolutele has a contagious positive attitude.
"He's awesome. He's always smiling. That's my favorite part," Elliott said. "He's got a great energy around him. If I could take one thing away from him, I can always come away from a conversation with a smile on my face. I think he's hilarious, man. He's got a great energy to him. He's a great guy."