Hawai’i – known as the Aloha State – is a dream vacation destination for many, but the Bruins won’t be there to relish the sun-kissed beaches.

It’s a business trip.

UCLA football commences its inaugural season in the Big Ten against Hawai’i (1-0) at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on Saturday afternoon. Coach DeShaun Foster will ride into battle with his new-look squad for the first time at the helm.

“I’m ready to go,” Foster said. “Players are fired up.”

The Bruins have emerged victorious in three consecutive season-openers dating back to 2021 when they breezed past the Rainbow Warriors 44-10 at the Rose Bowl. Both teams’ current starting quarterbacks – Hawai’i’s Brayden Schager and UCLA’s redshirt senior Ethan Garbers – saw action as the backups in that contest.

Schager has since taken the starting role, earning a 2023 All-Mountain West honorable mention while leading the conference in passing yards and touchdown passes last year.

“Brayden is special,” said UCLA defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe. “If we can just contain him and somehow, some way, keep him in the pocket, I think that’ll give us a chance.”

The fresh faces among UCLA’s defensive line and secondary will have their hands full tracking Hawai’i’s playmakers.

Schager demonstrated versatility in Hawai’i’s season-opening 35-14 victory over Delaware State on Aug. 24, accounting for four touchdowns – two through the air and another pair on the ground.

Wide receiver Pofele Ashlock paced the Rainbow Warriors with five grabs for 81 yards, while wide receiver Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala – brother of UCLA’s redshirt junior wide receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala – also nabbed two balls for 30 yards and a score.

Additional wide receiver Tylan Hines – who tallied a punt return touchdown – adds another explosive player to watch for newly-minted special teams coordinator Kodi Whitfield.

Contrary to Schager – who entered last season as the team’s first-string quarterback as well – Garbers will enter his first year as the team’s trusted field general with a chance to prove his mettle.

“We have been able to build a connection with Ethan more this year as a unit,” said redshirt junior offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio. “Being able to know that he’s going to be our one quarterback is pretty cool.”

Protecting Garbers from the Rainbow Warriors’ pass rush – a unit that had five players log a sack in their opener – is a revamped Bruin offensive line.

“Our main focus is to not let anybody touch Ethan this year,” DiGiorgio said. “We want to protect Ethan, that’s our number one goal.”

Redshirt senior Reuben Unije will take over at left tackle while redshirt junior Alani Makihele slides in at right guard – a vacancy created by redshirt senior Josh Carlin’s move to center.

In addition to pass protecting, run blocking will also occupy the Bruins’ focus in the trenches.

UCLA’s 2023 ground attack averaged nearly 200 yards per game – good for 17th in the nation. Despite starting only three times, T.J. Harden racked up 827 rushing yards along with nine total end zone trips.

The junior running back will have a chance to build on his strong sophomore campaign against a stingy Hawai’i defense that yielded just 3.1 yards per carry to start its season, albeit against an FCS school in Delaware State.

However, in Foster’s eyes, the identity of the team on the opposing sideline is irrelevant.

“I just told my guys, no matter our opponent, we just got to get out there and play,” Foster said. “It really doesn’t matter who we’re going against, just play our Bruin standard and we should be good.”