The University of Hawaii football team crossed the international dateline to return to Honolulu on Saturday, gaining a day — and perspective — following the season-opening 51-31 loss to California in Sydney.

The Rainbow Warriors, who did not force a turnover, ceded possession on two lost fumbles and an interception. And what should be considered a turnover — an illegal leaping maneuver on a California punt — reset the Golden Bears’ drive and led to a field goal.

“I think the thing we need to work on the most is ball security,” offensive coordinator Brian Smith said. “Turning the ball over hurt us a bunch. We lost some drives because of that. I think we need to execute better.”

But the Warriors rolled up 482 yards, the fifth most in the past 52 games dating to November 2011. Diocemy Saint Juste, Steven Lakalaka and Paul Harris combined for 215 rushing yards. Each scored a touchdown.

“We try to take what people are giving us and do what we do well,” Smith said. “I think we missed some things in the passing game that could have added up a bunch. There were a couple drops and a couple missed opportunities that we would have liked to have gotten back.”

Head coach Nick Rolovich said the “common denominator” for the running success was the offensive line. Quarterback Ikaika Woolsey was not sacked in 34 pass plays. The offense was penalized twice — for a delay of game and for holding.

“For the most part, they were pretty clean up front,” Rolovich said.

The Warriors had reshuffled the offensive line the past four months. Dejon Allen moved from right guard to left tackle. Asotui Eli, who was the starting center last year, opened at right guard against California. John Wa‘a, who took reps at center in spring training, was at left guard. And Leo Koloamatangi, who played left guard until two weeks ago, started at center. Koloamatangi called the cadences and blocking assignments. Right tackle RJ Hollis, known for his quick wit and humorous perspective, changed his tone, delivering a blistering pep talk at halftime.

“That’s where you want your leadership to come from,” Smith said of the offensive line. “The guys up front drive everything.”

The Warriors were without three key players in Australia. Linebacker Jerrol Garcia-Williams, safety Daniel Lewis and tight end Tui Unga. They were disciplined for violating team rules. They are expected to be activated for Saturday’s road game against Michigan.

In the opener, 15 Warriors were playing in their first NCAA game. Linebacker Jeremiah Pritchard, one of eight true freshmen making their UH debuts, played the entire second half.