TUCSON, Ariz.  – The University of Hawai'i got off to a sluggish start and couldn't recover in a 47-28 loss to Arizona Saturday night at Arizona Stadium. The Rainbow Warriors dropped to 1-3 on the season with all three losses coming away from the islands.
 
Arizona jumped out to a 20-point lead just 10 minutes into the game and carried a 34-7 lead into the locker room at the half to cruise to victory. Sophomore quarterback Brandon Dawkins rushed for three touchdowns and passed for another—all in the first half—to lead the Wildcats (2-1), who racked up 585 yards of total offense. JJ Taylor added 168 yards rushing and a touchdown as Arizona finished with 347 yards on the ground.
 
Dawkins scored on each of Arizona's first two possessions. capping 88- and 82-yard drives, then Arizona tacked on another rushing touchdown following a UH interception deep in their own territory.
 
The Rainbow Warriors gained some momentum late in the first quarter, as UH got on the board with an 81-yard drive, fueled by a pair of catches by John Ursua, including a 15-yard scoring strike from Ikaika Woolsey. It was Ursua's first career touchdown catch.
 
A key play happened in the second quarter when a Woolsey 48-yard touchdown bomb to Dylan Collie was wiped out by a holding penalty. That potential score would've cut the UH deficit to 20-13. Instead, after the penalty, the 'Bows subsequently turned the ball over on downs and Arizona went on to score two more touchdowns in the quarter to take a commanding lead into the half.
 
The Rainbow Warrior offense was able to put together three scoring drives after the break under the direction of sophomore Dru Brown, who played the entire second half at quarterback. Running back Steven Lakalaka, who recorded a team-high 16 carries for 63 yards, had a pair of touchdown runs. Meanwhile, Brown (144 yards passing, 33 yards rushing) scored on a 3-yard run in the fourth quarter. However, it was too little, too late for the 'Bows who remain winless in five all-time meetings with Arizona.
 
The Rainbow Warriors have next week off and will be back in action for their Mountain West opener versus Nevada on Saturday, Oct. 1. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. at Hawaii Tel FCU Credit Union Field at Aloha Stadium.