Thanks for that confidence-booster shot, UC Davis.

A Hawaii defensive unit that was inexplicably exploited at lowly UNLV last week recovered much of its swindled swagger in a 56-14 blowout of the Aggies on Saturday night at Aloha Stadium.

The game wasn’t up for grabs very long, but in those brief moments the Warriors defense held firm against the Aggies of the FCS and yielded no big plays, and only one of moderate gain.

Davis’ multiple-set offense was held to 51 yards at halftime on just 23 plays from scrimmage. At the half, the drama of the contest was reduced to whether the Warriors could pitch their first shutout in six years.

They couldn’t — Davis finished with 196 yards of offense — to the chagrin of defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. Still, lower tier or not, it was a marked improvement from the 40 points allowed in consecutive losses at Washington and at UNLV.

Was the missing mojo found just in time for the start of Western Athletic Conference play next week at Louisiana Tech?

"Losses are tough, you’ve got that taste in your mouth and you want to get back on the field and play another game," said senior linebacker Corey Paredes, who posted a team-high seven tackles and got UH off to a running start with a forced fumble on the Aggies’ opening drive. Senior cornerback Tank Hopkins, who’d drawn some criticism for giving up big plays during the losses, recovered the ball to set up the first of many UH scores.

"We just wanted to get on that field and make plays," Paredes said. "We need that confidence builder because LaTech is really strong at home."

A couple of UCD second-half scores and several dropped opportunities for interceptions had Aranda looking for more. The defensive starters were left in until the fourth quarter, even after a 49-0 halftime lead.

"During the plays that we had, we made the most of them," Aranda said. "I wish we could have come out stronger in the second half, but it was good to see our team get in the game and make some plays. … I think everyone’s done their job and we’ve been sound. We haven’t been a big play-making defense, and the emphasis was to do that."

Thanks to some late plays — in the fourth quarter freshman cornerback Dee Maggitt intercepted a Randy Wright pass and freshman linebacker TJ Taimatuia recovered a fumble — UH made its quota of three forced turnovers.

Only once in the first half did the Aggies cross midfield, and only for the briefest of moments — a penalty moved them back into their own territory, where USD was forced to punt.

Hopkins found some personal redemption after the brutal road trip with his recovered fumble on the opening drive.

"We tried to stay positive throughout the whole thing," Hopkins said of the recent woes.

Sophomore linebacker Art Laurel had a sack and forced fumble, as did freshman defensive lineman Beau Yap.

"Making plays early is a big help for everybody," Hopkins said. "(The win) lifts some weight off our shoulders, but we’re not there yet. We’re still trying to win the WAC."