SAN JOSE, CALIF. >> The University of Hawaii football team might have built a 5-1 record, but the construction is not complete.
“We have a lot to work on,” UH coach Nick Rolovich said. “Right now, we can enjoy the win, but let’s not pretend we played a perfect game. We’ve got a lot to fix, especially offensively.”
The Warriors amassed 475 yards. But it was achieved on 99 plays, resulting in a per-play average of 4.8 yards.
“I did not know going into this game we’d have 99 plays,” offensive coordinator Brian Smith said. “We called 99 plays.”
The Warriors managed one touchdown in five overtime possessions.
“We came out super slow,” quarterback Cole McDonald said. “Not the outcome that we wanted. We’ll take it no matter what it is. If we win by a million or if we win by one or two, we’ll take it.”
Rolovich indicated that San Jose State caused many of the Warriors’ problems.
“That team is the best 0-4 team in the country right now,” Rolovich said. “They’ve got athletes. They’ve got people playing hard. They’ve got great coaches. I told those kids and those coaches don’t hang their heads at all. I know they wish they won. But they’re playing well.”
Rolovich said he was not surprised it was a rugged battle.
“This is San Jose-Hawaii at San Jose,” Rolovich said. “Its always been this way since, oh, I don’t know.”
Oliver tough matchup for UH secondary
Through the first 36 minutes, 30 seconds, San Jose State tight end Josh Oliver caught seven passes for 139 yards and a touchdown.
The Warriors, who had been covering Oliver with nickelbacks, decided to switch the matchup. They rotated their two 200-pound safeties — 6-foot-3 Kalen Hicks and 6-foot Ikem Okeke — on 6-5, 250-pound Oliver. Oliver entered as the nation’s top pass-catching tight end.
“He’s a matchup nightmare for us,” UH defensive coordinator Corey Batoon said of Oliver. “I had to get better size differential on the guy. He’s a really good player.”
With Hicks and Okeke creating a tag team, Oliver was held to one catch for 19 yards the rest of the way.
“We’re going to have our coverage fit so we can match up on him, so we can match up size-wise,” Okeke said.
Okeke had 10 tackles and Hicks made eight.
Family matters for Warriors
Several Warriors were able to play in front of family and friends.
Left wideout Marcus Armstrong-Brown, who grew up in Napa, received support from family members wearing “ArmstrongBrown” T-shirts.
He said there was no room for the hyphen. “It wouldn’t fit because my name’s too long,” Armstrong-Brown said. “It wouldn’t fit all the characters on one shirt.”
Elijah Dale, who grew up in San Francisco, had six carries, the largest output of his two-season UH career.
Kohl Levao, who earned an associate’s degree from City College of San Francisco, made his sixth consecutive start at right tackle.
Jamal Mayo, David Manoa and Meffy Koloamatangi were among the recent UH graduates who attended the game.
NFL scouts in the house
Scouts from at least 11 National Football League teams attended the game. UH’s top senior prospect, linebacker Jahlani Tavai, made 14 tackles, including three in the SJSU backfield.