Some hard realities came home with the Hawaii football team from San Diego last week.

The kind that if you’re an actual member of the team you’re not supposed to accept. But there it is — back-to-back 55-0 and 52-16 losses.

“I don’t know if we’re scared of San Diego State and Boise. I don’t think most (of the players) are,” UH coach Nick Rolovich said. “Are they dying to go out there and play? Some of them are.”

It’s the first time the first-year Rainbow Warriors head man seriously questioned desire, at least publicly. Prior to the nationally televised blowout by the Broncos on Saturday the theme after losses was always more centered on resilience.

But this one would make anyone question a team’s ability to bounce back. And now it’s three losses in a row, the last two by horrific margins. Granted, they’re against the league’s best … but too reminiscent of too many defeats of recent years when Hawaii wasn’t in the game from the opening kickoff.

The most recent had at least one fan walking in circles at the mostly empty stadium.

“I’ve been using my time at (Aloha) Stadium to walk the upper deck,” season-ticket holder Steve Goodenow said during the third quarter. “My Fitbit says it’s about a thousand steps around. I’m up to 11K so far. Might as well accomplish something today. I watch the game at the four corners.”

At least Goodenow showed. Boise State traveled well for this one, and Hawaii fans didn’t outnumber Bronco supporters by very many.

Kickoff was early, 2 p.m — it was thought by some that might help the home team. But for all practical purposes it ended early, too … 28-0 in the second quarter before UH got on the board with the first of three Rigo Sanchez field goals.

Hawaii is now 4-7, but this is the 10th time the opponents scored first.

“For some reason we can’t start a game,” Rolovich said.

Earlier in the season they finished them.

What happened? Well, the schedule happened.

Hawaii emerged scarred but intact as a team from the meat-grinder nonconference slate that included games in Australia (against Cal) and at Michigan and Arizona.

The Rainbow Warriors were then allowed the relative ease of breaking in to league play hosting Nevada and then at San Jose State — both wins. A surprise win at Air Force made up for a nearly as surprising home loss to UNLV.

But, then, falling 28-21 to New Mexico at home preceded the one-sided defeats to the powerhouses. It might be looked upon later as the season’s turning point.

Confidence — which Hawaii had at one point — can be fleeting, especially when you’re a young team lacking depth.

Running back is a position where, fortunately, UH does have some numbers. With Diocemy Saint Juste out a second week in a row, Paul Harris got the ball 14 times for 145 yards. But, again, most of his involvement came in the second half.

Harris getting the ball early and often probably couldn’t have changed this outcome, but it might be a difference-maker at Fresno State next Saturday.

“Whenever I’m in, I’m going to do my job,” said Harris, when asked about dealing with his more limited role after rushing for over 1,000 yards as a junior last season. “When I’m out, I’m going to give whoever is in all my support from the sideline.”

He said Hawaii can win out against the Bulldogs and then against UMass at home.

“Confidence never left my brain,” Harris said. “I feel like the team’s still resilient, and not to belittle anyone, the games coming up we have a good chance to win. We just have to keep together. I feel like everyone’s still on board.”

Rolovich said he’s happy for Harris, who has been “unselfish.”

But he’s concerned about the team overall. He acknowledged that the last two weeks represented “the meat of our schedule,” but cited “another 10-penalty game … selfish penalties.”

“That’s the sign of a bad football team,” he said.

Rolovich was disturbed enough with the overall team demeanor to remove the sideline benches.

Hawaii is still plus-one if we want to look at wins above 2015. And this team still could be bowl eligible, believe it or not.

But Rolovich’s immediate concern is in this team’s approach to, and passion for, playing football. He didn’t like it Saturday.

“Do we look at it like we have to play two more games or we get to play two more games?”

———

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at Hawaiiwarriorworld.com/ quick-reads.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at Hawaiiwarriorworld.com/quick-reads.