The University of Hawaii football coaches usually spend a week crafting a game plan.

But a large part of the Rainbow Warriors’ 47-27 victory over UC Davis actually was constructed this summer.

Four players who were added to the active roster in the past two months combined for 35 points in Saturday’s game. Melvin Davis had touchdown runs of 1 and 5 yards, Paul Harris scored on a 95-yard sprint around right end, Dejaun Butler raced 26 yards into the end zone after blocking a punt, and Rigoberto Sanchez contributed 11 points on two field goals and five point-after kicks.

“I think some guys stepped up,” offensive coordinator Don Bailey said.

After exiting spring training, the Warriors were uncertain if the four junior college transfers would play this season. Davis, Harris and Butler had to finish extensive school work to meet the NCAA transfer requirements. As signing day approached in February, the Warriors debated offering a scholarship to either Harris, a speed back who also could return kicks, or Davis, a power back. In the end, they offered — and signed — both to scholarship letters.

But the written pledges did not guarantee eligibility. Harris needed to earn 23 transferable credits. Davis and Butler needed to earn associate degrees with cumulative grade-point averages of 2.5 or better. Harris met the requirements, and joined the Warriors in July. Davis and Butler were cleared two weeks into the Warriors’ training camp in August.

With Diocemy Saint Juste, the projected No. 1 running back, suffering from a hamstring injury, Steven Lakalaka was in the opening-game lineup. But Lakalaka, who underwent hamstring surgery in December, has been bothered by ailments. Harris started the second game, against Ohio State, and then opened against UC Davis. He rushed 11 times for 147 yards on Saturday night. Harris is acknowledged as the Warriors’ fastest player, clocking sub-4.4 in the 40-yard dash.

Davis said he reported to the Warriors at 251 pounds. After morning practices, he ran sprints; in the afternoon, he went through conditioning drills in the weight room. Davis, who did not play in the opener, said he now weighs 233.

“I did what I had to do,” Davis said.

He is now a card-carrying member of the self-styled “GGB” — God-given backs.

Butler, who was recruited as a corner, is now at safety. But it was on special teams he made an impact, blocking Colby Wadman, who is considered the Aggies’ best pro prospect.

“I went out there and did my job,” Butler said of the block. “I was there at the right time, and I made a play. The wall (of blockers) moved to the right, and it opened it up. I got in there and made a play for the team.”

Sanchez joined the Warriors with neither a scholarship nor assurance of winning the place-kicker’s job. It became more complicated when long-distance kicker Mauro Bondi transferred from Nebraska. Sanchez not only won the kicker’s job, he also was named the No. 1 punter. He was awarded a scholarship. On Saturday, Sanchez, not Bondi, was summoned for the long-distance kick. Sanchez easily converted from 46 yards.