When the University of Hawaii football team holds an intrasquad scrimmage, the results can be divisive.

“Half the coaches are pissed,” University of Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich said, “half the staff is happy. That’s just how it goes.”

During Thursday’s 54-play scrimmage-like sessions, most of the smiles belonged to the defense.

In the overtime session, two drives ended with sacks and a third was sabotaged when defensive end Meffy Koloamatangi and defensive tackle Zeno Choi collaborated on a backfield tackle.

In the four two-minute-drill possessions, the offense was stifled to a combined 6-for-14 passing. Cornerback Jalen Rogers made a leaping deflection and then a thunderous hit on wideout Marcus Kemp. Kaimana Padello, a freshman linebacker from Mililani High, raced in for a sack. The final drive ended when outside linebacker Dany Mulanga stretched for a pass breakup, and then defensive tackle Ka‘aumoana Gifford stormed into the backfield for a sack.

“The defense responded well,” Rolovich said.

Quarterback Ikaika Woolsey said: “It wasn’t our best one on offense. But tomorrow’s a new day. We’re going to come out and compete.”

Defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa has implemented a multiple-look system. The base is a 4-3 with two inside linebackers. But the Rainbow Warriors can slide into a 3-4 or morph into a three-safety 3-3-5 scheme. With senior cornerbacks Rogers and Jamal Mayo in tight man coverage, the Warriors can administer pressure with blitzes and pass rushes.

“As long as we can hold it down on the back end, they can make plays on the front side,” Rogers said. “And vice versa. If they can get to the quarterback quick, we don’t have to cover as much. It’s a team sport.”

The Warriors’ offense had some hopeful moments. Slotback Dylan Collie scored two touchdowns — a leaping catch of Cole Brownholtz’s cross-field pass and a 40-yarder in which he escaped a safety’s grip at the 12 and, freed by wideout Keelan Ewaliko’s block, raced into the end zone.

“I’ve got to make plays,” said Collie, who has conquered last year’s dry spell, when he dropped five passes in a row over two games. “It’s the daily grind of setting small goals. If I can win on those little successes, I have a chance to grow and accomplish bigger goals.”

Running back Steven Lakalaka, often mislabeled as a north-south runner, showed north-east skills on a 16-yard, zig-zag rush.

“I don’t want to get tackled,” Lakalaka said of his jump cuts. “I do whatever it takes to move forward.”

Brownholtz also eluded a manhunt with scrambles of 19 and 9 yards.

“A lot of people don’t think I’m fast, but I ran a 4.57 (in the 40-yard dash),” Brownholtz said. “I can run a little bit.”

Brownholtz, who played at Sierra College as a freshman in 2015, committed to UH in late June. He worked out in Hawaii for a few weeks before reporting to training camp.

“I’m getting more confident with the offense,” Brownholtz said.