On senior night, as the lei began at Sean Schroeder’s shoulder pads and rose from there, University of Hawaii coach Norm Chow flashed back to a far different place and time.

As the TV cameras crowded around Schroeder on the turf at Aloha Stadium and fans yelled his name and sought his autograph, Chow recalled a point when Schroeder was the Rainbow Warriors’ all-but forgotten quarterback.

"When we gave the (starting quarterback) job to Taylor (Graham) in the summer, Sean told me something I’ll remember," Chow said. "He told me he was always gonna be there and he’d be ready if we needed him. That’s the guy he is."

And Saturday night, with their quest to escape a winless record down to a final opportunity and the team mourning the tragic passing of teammate Willis Wilson earlier in the day, Schroeder delivered.

He passed for three touchdowns and 322 yards and ran for another score, helping the ‘Bows elude Army, 49-42, and an ignominious 0-for-12 season.

IT WAS ANOTHER one of those down-to-the last-gasp games for the ‘Bows, except victory in this one would not escape them. Another night in which their resilience would be tested time and again.

"This is a proud, competitive team," Chow said. One whose quarterback exhibited the same qualities in a two-year stint that challenged not only his determination but the durability of his anatomy.

After suffering through 35 sacks and a 3-9 season in 2012, the Duke University transfer underwent offseason back surgery.

When he came back in the summer, it was to a place on the bench behind Graham and even freshman Ikaika Woolsey, UH’s presumptive current and future at the quarterback position. Some expected him to just concentrate on completing his master’s degree in human resources management and fade into the woodwork.

Not until the third game of the season, when injury claimed Graham, did Schroeder get more than mop-up duty.

Not until the halfway point of the season, through injury and need, was Schroeder summoned to the starting job that he pined and prepared for.

DESPITE A STREAK of Schroeder’s 300-yard-plus passing performances, victory escaped the ‘Bows. More than once, Schroeder was left to mourn a clock that struck 0:00 too late or too quickly for UH.

Saturday night, caught in another shootout, Schroeder kept firing away.

And, when the ‘Bows needed it, he even ran for what would turn out to be UH’s last score and the ultimate margin of victory on a 6-yard touchdown scamper with 4 minutes, 31 seconds remaining.

And after he motored in, knee brace and all, he would be greeted by Graham at the sideline with a soaring chest bump as the 27,157 on hand, including his family from California, roared, sensing this would finally be the night for the ‘Bows and their unbowed QB.

"I’m proud of him," Chow declared. "He has come back from so much adversity and battled so hard to lead this team," Chow said.

Just as Schroeder had promised and in a game that seemed to symbolize his career at UH, he was there when the ‘Bows needed him most.

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Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.