Hawaii kicker’s incredible story is what college football is all about
By Andrew Olson
Published:
The college football season is only one Saturday in, and we have already experienced an incredible moment that captures everything so many of us love about this sport. Hawaii’s 23-20 win over Stanford felt like it was out of a movie.
Kansei Matsuzawa was the hero who lifted Hawaii to victory over Stanford, scoring the Rainbow Warriors’ last 9 points via 3 field goals, including 2 in the 4th quarter. The game-winner was from 38 yards as time expired.
Hawaii beats Stanford on a FG as time expires pic.twitter.com/ZbkMYiFDpD
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) August 24, 2025
Matsuzawa is in his final season of college eligibility. He graduated from high school in Japan in 2017, lettering 3 years in soccer.
As referenced on the CBS Sports Network broadcast, Matsuzawa first picked up a football after seeing an NFL game while on vacation. He aspired to be a kicker and learned by watching YouTube videos.
Matsuzawa was able to get a JUCO kicking opportunity at Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio for 2 seasons. After making a 50-yard field goal as a sophomore, it was off to Hawaii.
In 2023, Matsuzawa did not play and redshirted. He was the Rainbow Warriors’ placekicker last season, making all 32 PATs and 12-of-16 field goals.
What a start to 2025 for Matsuzawa.
Kansei Matsuzawa is from Tokyo, where at age 20 he was a waiter at a Morton’s Steakhouse.
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) August 24, 2025
On a vacation to the US he saw a NFL game. Returned home and taught himself to place kick via YouTube videos.
Convinced Hocking College in little Nelsonville, Ohio to let him come and…
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
