With Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich’s spontaneity and creativity, every game might seem like an “Evening at the Improv.”

But Rolovich does have one routine. “Usually, when I come out of the coaches’ locker room to speak to the team at halftime, I have to hurry the defense up,” Rolovich said. “They’re still coaching. They’re making adjustments. In this game (the past Saturday), I come out of the locker room to tell the defense, ‘let’s bring it up.’ And the defense already is in the main locker room ready to go.”

Rolovich’s take? “I know there was confidence in the defense,” he said. “I don’t think they had any doubt they would play well. They just needed to execute better, and I think they did that in the second half.”

After being down 21-7 and then 28-21 at the half, the Rainbow Warriors did not allow a second-half point en route to a 31-28 victory over Oregon State.

In the previous week’s opener, OSU’s offense was tilted more toward the passing game. On Saturday, the Beavers emphasized the running attack, using bunch formations to fuel power plays and spread sets to widen the lanes. Running backs Jermar Jefferson and Artavis Pierce stayed low on their carries to break free from would-be tacklers’ grip.

“They had been pretty heavily a pass team, and to come out dedicated to the run like they were, that was something of an adjustment,” defensive coordinator Corey Batoon said. “We started making that adjustment about the last two series of the first half. Then at halftime, we continued that mind-set. The kids really bought into the things we talked about.”

In OSU’s first three drives, all resulting in touchdowns, the average play was 8.2 yards. After that, the Warriors held the Beavers to 4.1 yards per play, including 3.0 in the second half.

The Beavers entered with three prolific receivers. Isaiah Hodgins is a 6-4 wideout with speed and a double-break move. Tyjon Lindsey and Champ Flemings are twin blurs. In the first half, Hodgins was targeted eight times, making five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.

“At halftime, we challenged our corners to really step it up,” Batoon said. “I thought they came out and accepted the challenge and battled (Hodgins). I thought Cortez Davis made a couple of plays on the ball. You saw in the second half he did really good. And Roe Farris did a nice job.”

On a fourth-and-5 play, Hodgins’ toes were at the line to gain, but he caught the pass a yard short. Farris made sure Hodgins did not get the first down.

Davis and Farris played every second-half snap, alternating on Hodgins. After the intermission, Hodgins caught two passes (on six targets) for 14 yards. Fleming did not make a catch the entire game. On five targets, Lindsey caught one pass — a 15-yarder, when the Warriors were in a prevent protecting a three-point lead.

“I thought in the second half, our guys really adjusted well to their techniques,” Batoon said. “I’m pleased with the way they really came out and attacked the offense, as well as their individual matchups.”

Batoon also praised some ailing players’ grit. Linebackers Paul Scott and Kana‘i Picanco did not participate in several contact drills during the bye week between UH’s games against Arizona and Oregon State. But both contributed key plays on Saturday.

“Those guys are just tough dudes,” Batoon said.

On Sunday, Rolovich reflected on UH’s second victory in a row over a Pac-12 opponent. “From top to bottom, there’s a common goal,” Rolovich said. “I think everybody has sacrificed for it.”

After the game, wideout JoJo Ward was presented the game ball for his four-touchdown performance. In similar fashion, Rolovich is giving his assistant coaches a share of the bonus money he receives for every UH victory over a power-five program.