With 18 seconds remaining in the first half, Army kicker Landon Salyers prepared for a field-goal attempt from 27 yards.

Hawaii football coach Nick Rolovich called consecutive timeouts to try to “ice” Salyers.

And then the Warriors defrosted a strategy they concocted this past week. With defensive end Kaimana Padello and defensive tackle Kendall Hune clearing an opening, linebacker Jahlani Tavai raced in to block Salyers’ kick. It was the first rejection for Tavai, a senior co-captain.

“That was Coach Goby’s call,” said Tavai, referring to special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial. “If it wasn’t for the 10 other guys, I wouldn’t be able to do it. I was coming from the left side, and Kaimana Padello and Kendall Hune, they opened the gap when they hit their guys.”

Hune said: “I was just doing my job. I followed the game plan. It was all about opening the way for Jahlani. We saw that first snap (before the timeout) that the tackle was coming down. The best way to deal was to keep pushing him down, and let Jahlani split right through.”

Ghobrial said the scheme was a week in the making.

“The guys really bought into the whole schematic of what we’re trying to accomplish,” Ghobrial said. “At the end of the day, it was the guys who did it. They deserve the credit.”

It was the Warriors’ second block of the season. Jeffrey Keene blocked a punt against Navy that was parlayed into teammate Max Hendrie’s touchdown.

STUBBLEFIELD GETS STARTING NOD

Devan Stubblefield started at right wideout, his first time in UH’s opening lineup since 2015. Stubblefield started in place of JoJo Ward.

Rolovich indicated that the move was based on matchups. Stubblefield is 6 feet and 200 pounds. Ward, who started the first three games, is 5-9 and 175 pounds.

“We all do the same work,” Stubblefield said. “At the day of the game, we find out who’s going to be the guy. We have to run with that opportunity.”

Stubblefield caught one pass for 35 yards. Ward, who entered in the second quarter, had a 20-yard reception.

Stubblefield has missed significant playing time because of two ACL surgeries during his UH career. He has remained supportive despite limited appearances.

“I feel I have to show my senior leadership, whether it’s on or off the field,” Stubblefield said. “If I’m not on the field, it’s no big deal. It’s not about me. It’s about the team.”

SEEI IMPRESSES IN UH DEBUT

Azia Seei, a 5-foot-11, 275-pound defensive tackle, made his UH debut against Army.

Seei is a 2015 graduate of West High in Salt Lake City. He played two seasons at William Penn University in Iowa before transferring to UH last year.

He redshirted in accordance with NCAA transfer rules.

Seei impressed in spring training, but dropped on the depth chart with the development of other defensive linemen.

In his first game since 2016, Seei made two tackles.

Hune also has played well since transferring from Eastern Arizona College this summer. Hune had eight tackles against Army.

In his best outing of the season, inside linebacker Kana’i Picanco had five stops. He was part of the second-level rotation. UH usually plays a deep rotation against run-option teams.