SEATTLE >> Safety became a priority after Hawaii free safety Khoury Bethley was ejected for targeting on the second play of Washington’s 52-20 victory on Saturday night.

Ikem Okeke, who has been dealing with ailments, managed to log only two snaps for the Rainbow Warriors before being rested.

Donovan Dalton, a third-year sophomore, was brought in to play free safety. Dalton made a career-high eight tackles.

“I came in, played my game, did what I had to do,” Dalton said. “We work on that all week. We always have a next-man-up mentality. Even the backups — even the third and fourth stringers — act like starters. When we get that time, we can perform.”

Defensive coordinator Corey Batoon praised Dalton’s contributions.

>> Click here to see photos of the game between Hawaii and Washington.

“It was good to get him in,” Batoon said. “He settled down as the game went on. It was his first real action in a game. I thought he made some plays.”

Bethley, meanwhile, expressed surprise at the ejection. He said he believed he led with his shoulder, not helmet.

Safety Kalen Hicks, who had a ground-level view of the play, said: “I felt he should have been able to play. I felt for him. I know I’d be sick if it happened to me.”

Kicking woes follow Warriors

Hawaii’s place-kicker struggles extended to a second consecutive game.

The previous week, Ryan Meskell missed three field-goal attempts before converting the decisive one in a 31-28 victory over Oregon State. On Saturday, in 9 mph winds at Husky Stadium, Meskell was wide left from 55 yards and way short from 49.

Meskell said the second attempt was not tipped.

Both of Meskell’s misses were in the first half. In the third-quarter drive, the Warriors kept their offense on the field on two fourth-down plays, opting not to punt on fourth-and-10 from their 47 or fourth-and-1 from Washington’s 30. They converted both.

Meskell, who has lengthened his range to 53 yards, missed only three field-goal attempts in 2018.

Furuta inspires from afar

Running back Dayton Furuta did not make the trip after undergoing ankle surgery on Wednesday. But in a conference call played during Friday’s team meeting, Furuta offered words of encouragement. He also proposed that quarterback Cole McDonald take his place as co-captain against Washington.

McDonald, defensive end Kaimana Padello, nose tackle Azia Se‘ei and slotback Jason-Matthew Sharsh represented the Warriors during the coin toss.

“He’s always been a guy who’s been there for the team,” McDonald said of Furuta. “He’s given his heart and soul to the team. You could feel his passion, his words, that he wants to encourage us and tell us to be courageous in moving forward. It was pretty awesome.”

McDonald said he was surprised to be mentioned by Furuta. “Every player is a leader in certain key roles,” McDonald said. “Our whole team is full of leaders and captains.”