The Rainbow Warriors ended a prolonged absence from the end zone with Melvin Davis’ 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

Coming off shutout losses at Wisconsin and Boise State, UH’s scoreless streak reached nine quarters on Saturday. They went another 2 minutes, 16 seconds into the second quarter — stretching the total to 145 minutes, 10 seconds — before Davis plowed into the end zone. He finished the night with a season-high 52 yards on 13 carries.

"It was kind of a release because we haven’t scored, but you know that’s still not enough," Davis said. "One touchdown is not enough. Two touchdowns is not enough. The W, that’s what we’re coming here for and we fell short."

Prior to Davis’ run, UH hadn’t scored since Dejaun Butler returned a blocked punt for a touchdown with 7:54 left in the fourth quarter against UC Davis on Sept. 19. The last offensive touchdown was a Davis run at the 9:28 mark of the fourth quarter vs. the Aggies.

Penalties costly for Warriors

The Rainbow Warriors were flagged for one penalty through three quarters. Two on the opening drive of the fourth period proved costly to UH’s comeback hopes.

San Diego State opened the fourth quarter with fourth-and-1 at the UH 22 when defensive tackle Penitito Faalologo jumped offside to extend the drive. On third-and-4 an incomplete pass was negated by defensive holding on UH and gave SDSU first-and-goal at the 6. Donnel Pumphrey scored two plays later to give the Aztecs a 28-14 lead with 13 minutes left.

"They’re going to go through the hard count and bring the (kicking) team on and we jump offside, we can’t do that. We have to play smarter," UH defensive coordinator Tom Mason said

"When you’re struggling those things happen, you have to fight through that. But we practiced that all week, we knew they were going to do that and we jumped. We just gotta clean some things up and we gotta regroup and get better."

Bernard breaks loose

Isaiah Bernard set up UH’s first touchdown with the Rainbow Warriors’ second-longest reception of the season.

On the fourth play of the second quarter, Bernard caught an out on third-and-8 from the Warriors’ 43 and broke loose along the sideline before stepping out of bounds at the San Diego State 4 for a 52-yard gain. Davis scored two plays later.

Bernard entered the game with six receptions for 25 yards this season as a slot receiver. He moved to wideout as a backup to Quinton Pedroza and ended the night with two receptions for 58 yards.

Injuries piling up for Hawaii

UH quarterback Max Wittek left the game in the third quarter with an apparent knee injury. He went to the turf while trying to avoid a sack and clutched his right knee. Ikaika Woolsey played the next two series. Wittek returned late in the fourth quarter and was intercepted on two deep throws.

Starting left guard Elijah Tupai was helped off the field in the third quarter and John Waa took his place.

Tui Unga started at tight end, but was replaced by freshman Dakota Torres, who made his first career reception in the first quarter and tied Pedroza with a team-high four catches.

The offense was already missing running back Paul Harris, while linebacker Benny Fonua was among the defensive players who did not participate.

"That hurts not having him out there," Mason said. "You have Jerrol Garcia (Williams), who’s playing at about three-quarters speed. (Julian) Gener’s just coming off an injury. We’re beat up, that’s just the fact. But we have to play, too."

Pereese Joas stepped in for Harris’ spot returning kickoffs and averaged 27.3 yards on four returns, including a 42-yard return to open the second half.

Lakalakas both in the books

Steven Lakalaka and younger brother Ronley saw action on opposite sides of the ball in Saturday’s game.

Steven Lakalaka started at running back for UH and had 14 yards on six carries and caught two passes.

Ronley Lakalaka, a freshman linebacker who followed Steven at Punahou, made his third appearance for San Diego State. He made his first career tackle on kickoff coverage late in the second quarter after SDSU took a 21-7 lead.

Home win streak ends

Saturday’s loss halted UH’s winning streak at Aloha Stadium at three going back to last year’s home finale against UNLV.

The Rainbow Warriors head back on the road for the third time in four weeks to face New Mexico and travel to Nevada the following week. They won’t be back in Halawa until Halloween night to face Air Force.