Despite entering the game as a 40.5-point favorite, the third-highest mark in program history, Hawaii surprisingly suffered a tougher-than-expected victory, 35-14 over Delaware State tonight in the season opener before 10,279 at the Ching Complex.

Even in windy conditions that escalated in the third quarter before settling, the run-and-shoot offense struggled to find a consistent rhythm with quarterback Brayden Schager completing 17 of 34 for 203 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for two scores.

Hawaii failed to score 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 their first drive of the second half, scoring on a 15-yard QB keeper to take the lead 21-14.

Schager, making his 23rd straight start for UH, added his second touchdown pass on a 29-yard toss to Dekel Crowdus early in the fourth quarter to make it 28-14. His second TD rush on a 1-yard sneak with 3:44 left narrowed the score to 35-14.

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

Those were the only points UH managed to score in eight drives in the first half.

>> PHOTOS: Hawaii vs. Delaware State

A 44-yard punt return by Tylan Hines for a touchdown in the closing seconds of the first quarter is the only reason UH had a lead at halftime after being shutout in the second quarter.

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

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

The Hornets tied the game on their opening possession of the second half. A blown coverage left Ryan Lee wide open for a 42-yard reception, setting up a 6-yard touchdown run from Jaden Sutton on the next play to tie the score at 14-14.

The Hornets did not score again, as Adams completed 17 of 28 passes for 156 yards, collecting 44 yards and a score.

Pofele Ashlock was the top UH receiver with five catches for 81 yards.

Hawaii will play back-to-back home games for the first 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.