How did Delaware State do in football opener at Hawaii? Better than expected

Delaware State couldn’t upend Hawaii, but the Hornets certainly beat the odds in their season-opening football game Saturday night.

Forty-point underdog DSU tied the game early in the second half before Hawaii scored three touchdowns for a 35-14 win in Honolulu.

The game was played in heavy winds because of Tropical Storm Hone in front of 12,206 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex. It kicked off at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

Coming off a 1-10 record in 2023, Delaware State was a long shot to challenge the FBS-level Rainbow Warriors, especially after experiencing travel woes.

The team missed its non-stop flight from JFK Airport due to a bus snafu Tuesday. Traveling party members were divided up among several flights that got everyone there Wednesday and Thursday, throwing off game preparation.

HAWAII 34, DELAWARE STATE 14: Game stats

But DSU got on the scoreboard with 12 seconds left in the first half. Sophomore quarterback Marqui Adams ran 10 yards for the touchdown, closing a 9-play, 77-yard march that featured his five passes for 60 yards. DSU had totaled just 24 yards on seven series before that.

Jaden Sutton’s 6-yard TD run then closed the first possession of the third quarter as DSU tied it 14-14. The 8-play, 75-yard series featured Adams’ 46-yard pass to Ryan Lee.

Hawaii then took charge, as quarterback Brayden Schager ran 15 yards for a TD, threw 29 yards to Dekel Crowdus for six points and closed the scoring on a 1-yard run with 3:44 left.

Schager, a third-year starter, was 17-for-34 passing for 203 yards with two TDs and ran for two others.

TOUGH TEST: DSU quest for football improvement begins at Hawaii

Adams was 17-for-28 passing for 156 yards, and ran for 44 yards in the game.

Sutton’s 12 carries netted 56 yards.

Hawaii finished with 331 total yards to DSU’s 260. There were no turnovers in the game.

Delaware State now faces a long trip home and a short turnaround for Saturday’s game at Sacred Heart.

Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How did Delaware State do in football opener at Hawaii? Better than expected