The Hawaii football team lost by 53 points to Vanderbilt in the 2022 opener under a first-time FBS head coach. Timmy Chang’s second-year outfit, now running the same basic offense he employed to great effect as a player, proved to be a much tougher cover against the same opponent.

In a game that was delayed about 100 minutes due to the threat of lightning, the Rainbow Warriors gave themselves a chance at a rousing late-night comeback, only to rue critical mistakes in a 35-28 defeat to the Commodores at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.

UH, attempting to come back from a 21-point second-half deficit, took over with 2:14 to play needing to go 80 yards for the tie or the win. But on the second play of the drive, Brayden Schager — having a career night — threw his second pick of the night to defensive back De’Rickey Wright.

Wright, coming from the middle of the field, stepped in front of Chuuky Hines and went to the turf. UH, out of timeouts, could not stop the clock and UH dropped to 0-5 all-time in true road games against SEC opponents.

After a three-and-out hiccup on its opening drive, UH showed prowess in the run-and-shoot offense in its first full operation since UH did it under coach Nick Rolovich in 2019.

Schager, a junior and incumbent starter, completed his first eight passes en route to a 27-for-35 night for 351 yards and three touchdowns.

Junior quarterback Brayden Schager threw for a career-high 351 yards and matched his best with three passing touchdowns. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Two receivers, redshirt freshman Pofele Ashlock and Steven McBride, a senior transfer from Kansas, had breakout games in their first games in a UH uniform.

Ashlock put UH on his back in the second half and finished with seven catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. McBride caught seven for 98 yards and two first-half scores, helping make up for a nearly non-existent running game. UH outgained VU 391 to 297.

UH strung together several stretches of solid play, but when the ‘Bows erred, it frequently proved costly.

UH fell flat in all three phases in the game’s opening moments. After the opening three-and-out, Matthew Shipley’s harried punt went 0 yards and Vanderbilt needed only four plays to punch it in from 32 yards.

UH’s second drive was much better, as Schager directed the ‘Bows 75 yards on eight plays, capped with a 9-yard touchdown toss to McBride.

But it was undone instantly by Jayden McGowan’s electric 97-yard kickoff return touchdown going left, untouched. It was Vanderbilt’s first kick return TD in nine years.

UH, trailing 21-7 early in the second quarter, went for it on fourth-and-4 from just inside Commodore territory. Schager paused a beat, then went directly over the top to a wide-open McBride for the 45-yard score — the first downfield “Schager Bomb” that UH had touted in fall camp.

Receiver Steven McBride, left, was congratulated by Pofele Ashlock after a first-half touchdown. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

UH had a prime opportunity to go into halftime no worse than tied.

UH overcame some broken tackles to turn Vanderbilt over on downs with a key ankle tackle by Peter Manuma at the UH 36.

Offensive-lineman-turned-running-back Solo Vaipulu nearly scored from 24 yards out on a catch over the middle, but fumbled shy of the goal line and it was recovered by Ashlock at the half-yard line.

UH came out in a wildcat formation with Navy transfer Dalen Morris at quarterback. But tight end Greyson Morgan flinched and a false start was called, backing UH up 5 yards.

Schager came back in on the ensuing play and tried a fade pass to Morgan, but was intercepted by Wright, who twisted to get a foot down in the end zone just two plays after forcing the fumble on Vaipulu.

UH settled for a 21-14 deficit at intermission. The third quarter was UH’s disaster against Vanderbilt last year, a 35-0 period. This time, it went only 7-0 to the SEC team.

The teams traded three-and-outs to start the second half. But preseason All-SEC receiver Will Sheppard put the ‘Dores in UH territory with a 28-yard punt return, then snagged a 1-yard lob pass for a touchdown for a 28-14 lead.

UH went for it on fourth-and-9 and Schager connected with freshman Alex Perry for 17 yards. Chang then went for it again on fourth-and-6 in the red zone. Schager rolled out but could not connect with Nick Cenacle, triple covered in the back right corner of the end zone.

Vanderbilt marched the other way and struck on a free play with a UH player caught in the neutral zone. Sophomore AJ Swann (19-for-30, 258 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions) found London Humphreys over his shoulder for a 32-yard strike and the hosts had their largest lead of 35-14.

UH got one back on a huge drive by Ashlock. He had three catches for 45 yards, including a 35-yarder, and capped it with a 3-yard spinning effort over the goal line to get the margin back to 14 with 11:20 to play.

Vanderbilt faced a fourth-and-4 at the UH 33 and Swann threw incomplete for the turnover on downs.

Schager immediately found Ashlock deep for a 50-yard gain. Ashlock nearly plunged in for a touchdown a few plays later, but his knee was down by Wright at the half-yard line.

Facing the same situation as earlier, UH again went to the wildcat formation with Morris. This time Morris barreled his way in for the score with 4:49 left and UH down just 35-27.

UH went for the onside kick and Cenacle nearly recovered it successfully, but was ruled out of bounds by inches as he fell on the ball and it went back over to Vanderbilt.

Safety Peter Manuma committed an untimely late hit on Swann to give the Commodores a key first down in UH territory. But UH still got the stop and Vandy punted into the end zone, giving UH a final chance.

Despite the interception on the drive, it was unquestionably one of the best games of Schager’s three-year UH career. Only once previously did he throw three touchdowns in a game and just once threw for 300-plus yards.

Cornerback Cam Stone, a transfer from Wyoming, fielded punt and kickoff return duties in his first game as a Rainbow Warrior.

At least three Hawaii players showed signs of cramping in the second half, including Stone.

Linebacker Isaiah Tufaga led the UH defense with eight tackles, all solo, with three tackles for loss, including two sacks. Lineman Andrew Choi contributed a sack. Cornerback Virdel Edwards II broke up three passes.

A moment of silence was held pregame for the victims of the Maui wildfires. Chang wore a “Maui Strong” sweater and UH helmets were emblazoned with Maui decals. Chang and VU coach Clark Lea hugged after the game.

UH heads home to host Stanford on a tight turnaround Friday. It will be the first game at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex with its new capacity of 15,000 seats.

Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.