Things went from bad to worse for University of Hawaii football as news spread that running back Joey Iosefa will miss a big chunk of the season due to injury. It was the worst fear of what might happen in the first two games against Pac-12 teams.

The change-the-quarterback and change-the-coach crowds had already mobilized, and who didn’t expect that? But who didn’t think UH would be 0-2, playing two power conference teams to start the season? Maybe a few true believers, or someone who awoke from a very long nap.

Now expectations are low while standards remain high; fans remember when their team beat the Washingtons and Oregon States of the world … not all the time, but often enough for it to be a realistic possibility.

So, for many, competing within one score is nowhere near enough. And patience is razor-thin.

And the second game of the season featuring more big mistakes than the first creates concern going into Saturday’s game against Northern Iowa — a game even cynics had viewed as very winnable.

Northern Iowa gave Iowa a solid fight in their opener two weekends ago before losing 31-23, and then wisely had a bye scheduled to prep for its long trip here.

And now with Iosefa out all bets are literally off; I couldn’t find a line on this game Sunday, before the announcement the heart of the Rainbow Warriors’ offense will miss four to six weeks. Iosefa WAS the Hawaii offense. It’s scary to think of the UH attack without him.

Although the offensive line is clearly improved, there’s a distinct lack of speed at the skill positions; Diocemy Saint Juste got dinged up against OSU, too.

Ikaika Woolsey’s rough outing at quarterback against the Beavers is also alarming. Was it bad enough for a benching? Yes. But Woolsey clearly won the starting job in camp, so are Jeremy Higgins and Taylor Graham viable options?

Maybe now one of the backups has to play and Woolsey move to running back.

With the lack of weapons — partly due to the spate of injuries to wideouts and now Iosefa — it’s a puzzle with huge pieces missing. We got a brief look at talented and versatile second-year freshman Keelan Ewaliko. Let’s see more of him, somewhere.

They say speed kills. In this case, a lack of it might. And, of course, 40 percent passing accuracy isn’t going to cut it and that alone should open up more quarterback reps for the backups to see which is most ready for some time Saturday.

On the plus side, special teams was huge and the main reason the score wasn’t lopsided. And once again the Rainbow Warriors defense played better after getting settled in and this time it made some big plays.

Credible officials said off-the-record the roughing-the-passer call against linebacker Julian Gener should have been negated for two reasons clearly stated in the rule book: He was wrapping up, and he was not hitting quarterback Sean Mannion "unabated."

That blown call wasn’t the game, but it didn’t help. Hawaii still would’ve had 93 yards in penalties without it, just six fewer than Oregon State.

Before we knew Iosefa was out, there was a temptation to say things would get easier for UH this week. But now we know they won’t, regardless of the level of the opponent.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. Read his blog at staradvertiser.com/quickreads.