As the Saturday sun set in Manoa — and on the University of Hawaii football team’s spring training — defensive coordinator Kevin Clune beamed with pride.

His defense won the 85-play scrimmage 60-34 using a scoring system nearly all the participants had trouble deciphering. But for a coach who has dispensed high grades grudgingly since being hired in January, Clune’s post-scrimmage smile was worth countless points.

"The kids came up big," said Clune, whose defense produced six sacks, two fumble recoveries and cornerback Dee Maggitt’s 38-yard interception return for a touchdown.

"It should have been two interceptions," Maggitt protested, arguing that a third-quarter pick should not have been nullified because of a penalty. "Even my coaches said you might as well count it as (an interception) because they didn’t see anything. I’m saying I had two today."

Clune, who was Utah State’s linebackers coach last season, implemented a variation of the Aggies’ 3-4 scheme at UH. After each of the first 14 spring practices, Clune said his defense took steps forward, then he moved back the finish line.

But in the 15th — and final — practice of spring training, the defensive line reset the line of scrimmage, the linebackers blitzed from all points and the secondary — particularly corners Maggitt and Ne’Quan Phillips — splashed an admittedly vanilla offense.

"We did take a giant step forward on a big day," Clune said. "This was important. We still have a long way to go, and (season-opening opponent) Washington will bring their best stuff. We’ll have to bring our best stuff. For now, I’m happy. I won’t watch the film until (Sunday). I’ll enjoy it tonight."

Maggitt has symbolized the defense’s resilience. On the morning of the 2013 finale, Maggitt’s best friend — running back Willis Wilson — drowned off Sandy Beach. After a month of self-evaluation, Maggitt renewed his passion for the sport. He gained strength — physical and internal.

This past week, Maggitt suffered a hamstring injury. It was recommended that he skip Saturday’s scrimmage; Maggitt sought a second opinion — his own. He told Clune: "This is my last (spring practice). I’ve got three months to recover, so I’m going to go."

Maggitt had the same determination on what would be the final play of the scrimmage. With the defense up 48-34, quarterback Ikaika Woolsey tried to throw into the right flat.

"It was the last drive," Maggitt said. "I was like, ‘Man, they called the first (interception) back, I was jumping on anything the quarterback threw.’ He happened to throw it to me, and I happened to turn it into six."

Maggitt’s interception return for a touchdown was worth 12 points — six for the pick, six for the touchdown.

"I was trying to figure out the scoring system," head coach Norm Chow said, laughing. He said he borrowed a formula Nebraska used for its spring game, a system that awarded specific points for touchdowns, plays of at least 20 yards, turnovers, sacks and so forth.

"I was lost," quarterback Jeremy Higgins said of the point system. "I guess you have to score to win, and we didn’t score enough."

The offense produced four touchdowns — one through the air, three by rushes — in 20 possessions.

Woolsey, who worked with the first team, was 14-for-24 for 164 yards. Higgins was 9-for-18 for 125 yards, including a 36-yard scoring toss to Samson Anguay. Taylor Graham, who was on restricted-contact status while recovering from shoulder surgery, did not complete his only throw. Hunter Hughes, who joined after participating in a walk-on audition in February, was 1-for-2.

"He certainly deserved a chance to get in a little bit," Chow said of Hughes, who is on the bubble to make the 105-player roster for training camp in August. "He’s been a big help to us. Spring ball, everybody deserves a chance."

Well, not everybody. Chow limited slotback Scott Harding to a couple of plays and placed a do-not-play order on the team’s best running back, Joey Iosefa, a move designed to help him remain healthy exiting the spring.

"Every time we ran a play, (Iosefa) tried to get in there," Chow said, "and we wouldn’t let him in there."

Iosefa said: "I wanted to work on my craft. I was kind of mad. I wanted to get that feeling in a game situation. This might be the closest feeling to a live situation until the season starts. That’s why I tried to get in."

The offense also was without injured tight ends Jordan Pu’u-Robinson and Harold Moleni, and three offensive linemen. Diocemy Saint Juste, who rushed for 66 yards on 15 carries, said he was limited because of a hamstring injury. That forced the offense to go with "very vanilla type of offensive plays," Chow said.

That also meant moving 250-pound fullback Penitito Faalologo to running back. Faalologo rushed nine times for 26 yards.

"It was awesome," Faalologo said of the opportunity to rush; last year, the UH fullbacks did not have any carries.

Faalologo was key on a read-option play. Woolsey faked a handoff to Faalologo, who drew three defenders. Woolsey then scooted to the perimeter and, set free by wideout Duke Bukoski’s block, sprinted 60 yards for a touchdown.

"I saw green (turf) and I went out and got it," Woolsey said.

Woolsey also scored on a 1-yard keeper after wideout Marcus Kemp fell short of the goal line on a 39-yard catch.

"I didn’t play as well as I wanted to," Woolsey said. "I was up and down. That’s something I can’t do. I have to be consistent. I’m the quarterback. I’m the leader. I let the guys down behind me today. Jeremy did a good job putting points on the board."

Chow said he will review videos of the scrimmage Sunday. He said he was not ready to name a No. 1 quarterback, although Woolsey appeared to have that role in spring training.

"We’ll figure it out," Chow said.

But Chow said the double move — Ben Clarke from center to left tackle, Kody Afusia from left guard to center — is permanent. The search has begun for a No. 1 left guard. Dejon Allen, Elijah Tupai and Frank Loyd Jr. are the top candidates.

For now, Chow said he was happy with the effort: "I don’t think the effort could be any better than that."