Despite entering the game with a 40.5-point lead – the third-highest in program history – Hawaii suffered a tougher-than-expected 35-14 win over Delaware State in tonight’s season opener in front of 10,279 spectators at the Ching Complex.

Even in windy conditions that intensified in the third quarter before calming down, the run-and-shoot offense struggled to find a consistent rhythm. Quarterback Brayden Schager completed the game 17 of 34 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored two touchdowns in the running game.

Hawaii remained scoreless in the second quarter and was tied with the Hornets 14-14 after Delaware State’s first possession of the second half.

The game didn’t stay tied for long. Schager led Hawaii 67 yards in eight plays on its first drive of the second half, scoring on a 15-yard run in front of the quarterback to bring the lead back to 21-14.

Schager, making his 23rd consecutive start for UH, added his second touchdown pass on a 29-yard toss to Dekel Crowdus early in the fourth quarter, putting the game ahead by two points at 28-14. His second TD run on a 1-yard run with 3:44 left capped the score at 35-14.

Hawaii opened its second drive of the game with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Schager to Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala.

These were the only points UH scored on offense in the eight first-half offensive runs.

>> PHOTOS: Hawaii vs. Delaware State

A 44-yard punt return by Tylan Hines for a touchdown in the final seconds of the first quarter is the only reason UH held the lead at halftime after going scoreless in the second quarter.

The Hornets offense woke up for its final drive of the first half, gaining 77 of the team’s 122 total yards. Quarterback Marqui Adams danced into the end zone with a 10-yard run after outsmarting a Hawaii defender and leaving him on the ground.

Schager completed just 8 of 2 passes for 72 yards in the first half, while Hawaii managed just 139 total yards.

The Hornets tied the game early in the second half. A broken defense allowed Ryan Lee to complete a 42-yard pass, which set up a 6-yard touchdown run by Jaden Sutton on the next play to tie the score at 14-14.

The Hornets were unable to score again as Adams completed 17 of 28 passes for 156 yards and ran for 44 yards and a score.

Pofele Ashlock led all UH receivers with five catches for 81 yards.

Hawaii will have back-to-back home games for the only time this season when it hosts UCLA next Saturday. The Bruins will play their first football game as a member of the Big Ten Conference.