In the rain, the University of Hawaii football team’s offense showed its rust.

The Rainbow Warriors had a sluggish start offensively before finding their groove during a 93-play controlled scrimmage. The first full-contact practice came on the ninth day of training camp.

"We expected to come out with more energy, (more) passion," coach Norm Chow said. "You can make all the excuses in the world. ‘It’s the ninth straight day of practice. They haven’t had any day off.’ But we can’t use that as an excuse. We have to keep fighting. I think we will."

The first-team offense, led by quarterback Taylor Graham, had difficulties in the 18 plays of drives starting at its 35. Graham was 2-for-10, with two passes thrown away intentionally, one dropped and one knocked away by defensive lineman Kennedy Tulimasealii.

Chow said the constant rain, which made the grass field slippery, did not affect the play-calling or performance.

"That’s not an excuse," Chow said. "We don’t make excuses. We need to get better."

The offense turned the ball over four times, including three lost fumbles. Willis Wilson rushed for 26 yards on six carries, but his longest runs — 12 and 11 yards — ended with fumbles.

"I wasn’t holding (the football) high and tight," Wilson said. "At the end of the day, you have to protect the ball. You can make all the moves, but if you lose the ball, it doesn’t matter."

Steven Lakalaka, a Punahou graduate who redshirted in 2012, also fumbled. But he found redemption, rushing 23 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

"We found a running back who will hit it in there," Chow said. "Steve played very well."

Lakalaka said: "It was a good day, but I know I can do better."

He said he needs to stop "dancing" before attacking a running lane.

"I have to focus on one hole, and execute it," Lakalaka said.

Lakalaka admittedly "relaxed" too much during his redshirt year, ballooning to 240 pounds. He said he turned to strength coach Gary Beemer for fitness tips and running backs coach Chris Wiesehan for advice on reading blocks and defenses.

He said he now usually weighs 222 before each practice and 218 afterward.

"I feel a lot better," Lakalaka said.

The Warriors, meanwhile, rebounded to score seven touchdowns on 25 plays in the red zone.

Graham was 4-for-6 in the red zone, tossing scoring passes to tight end Clark Evans and freshman wideout Keith Kirkwood.

Evans, who appeared shaken earlier, made a double move, sped past the secondary and was wide open in the end zone to catch Graham’s 20-yard pass.

"Taylor just put it in the right spot," Evans said. "We had a good connection."

Graham said: "Clark is unique. He’s a receiver who plays tight end. He can make plays downfield. He’s a good weapon to have."

Kirkwood, who is 6-5, did not play football until last year, his senior season of high school. He is a self-described "visual" learner.

"If I see it one time in practice, I can get it in my head," Kirkwood said.

Kirkwood’s best play came on a third and 4, when he made a post-up move to catch a 5-yard pass against a physical cornerback.

"When times are hard, you have to make big plays," Kirkwood said. "Coach Chow stresses big players make big plays in big-time situations. It was third down. I had to give it my all."

Backup quarterback Sean Schroeder, who started 11 games in 2012, completed four of five passes for 53 yards and a touchdown.

"It was a good wet-ball drill," Schroeder said. "It was a good scrimmage. We’ll have to iron some things out, but we’ll be good."

Inside receiver Scott Harding was knocked down from a hard hit, but came back to catch a 20-yard scoring pass from Graham. Harding credited wideout Chris Gant, who drew double coverage, leaving the route open for him.

"It was as much his touchdown as mine," Harding said.

Offensive lineman RJ Hollis was assessed a false-start penalty when his right knee buckled before a snap. Hollis was not out for long, and he made a key block in one of Lakalaka’s touchdowns.

"This was a good pop quiz," Lakalaka said.

Graham said: "There are corrections to be made. We’ll make the corrections as a team and learn from them. Good teams don’t make the same mistake twice."