The University of Hawaii football team put on the pads and shed the pleasantries on Wednesday.

There were big hits, big plays and a minor hold-me-back skirmish in the first practice in full pads this training camp.

“It was good,” UH coach Norm Chow said of the seventh of 29 practices ahead of the Sept. 3 opener against Colorado.

The offense scored on the first play of a scrimmage-like session. Max Wittek threw to right wideout Quinton Pedroza, who bobbled the football, secured it and sprinted 40 yards to the threshold of the end zone. Safety Marrell Jackson chased down Pedroza at the 3.

“Those are the plays we need,” Wittek said.

Asked if he should have been credited with a score, Pedroza said: “It’s a touchdown in a game. We have to review the film.”

In the ensuing huddle, defensive coordinator Tom Mason reminded the defenders to forget.

“That’s one snap and clear,” Mason said. “That’s seven-zip. There’s a lot of football left.”

Both sides had their moments the rest of the 20-play session. Tight end Metuisela Unga made two acrobatic catches. Quarterback Aaron Zwahlen teamed with wideout Makoa Camanse-Stevens on a deep completion. Inside linebacker Julian Gener made an open-field tackle on Pedroza’s fly sweep. Weak-side linebacker Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea was credited with a sack. Strong-side linebacker Jeremy Castro chased down a fullback for a 2-yard loss.

“We’re learning every day, and we’re getting better every day,” offensive coordinator Don Bailey said.

Bailey, who was hired in February, said he has implemented the entire offense.

“We do it early, then we start to get better, and we pick and choose what we really like,” Bailey said. “As we add, we delete, and that type of stuff. (The offense) is pretty much in. Now we have to execute.”

There were five offensive rotations in the 11-on-11 session, with Wittek taking the opening series, Zwahlen getting two, and Ikaika Woolsey and Beau Reilly one each. While Wittek is set as the No. 1 quarterback, there is nothing to be read into the distribution of work, Bailey said.

“We’re only at practice seven,” Bailey said. “We’ll cross the bridges when we get there.”

Woolsey, who started 12 of 13 games last year, is having a good training camp while taking most of the No. 2 snaps. Reilly is entering his second season with UH. Zwahlen joined in May after completing a two-year church mission. Bailey praised Zwahlen, saying: “One of his best attributes is that he’s poised. He might be extremely nervous inside, but you can’t tell. He has a good moxie about him. He takes everything in stride. That suits him well.”