A week after committing 11 penalties for 114 yards in a loss at Nevada, Hawaii was flagged seven times for 41 yards, tying season lows, in Saturday’s 37-26 win over San Jose State.

UH entered the game 124th in the nation with 9.33 penalties per game for an average of 87.17 yards.

“I thought we acted like a Warrior football team people would support and be proud of,” UH coach Nick Rolovich said.

This time it was SJSU coach Brent Brennan lamenting costly infractions after the Spartans committed 11 fouls for 104 yards. The most costly of the bunch was an unsportsmanlike conduct call on David Williams for high-fiving Rahshead Johnson before Johnson reached the end zone on a 96-yard kickoff return that cut UH’s lead to 28-26 with 8:44 left in the game.

Instead of going for a 2-point conversion to tie, a 35-yard extra-point was blocked and UH’s Rojesterman Farris II returned it to extend UH’s lead.

“Way too many penalties. All kinds of crazy, ridiculous, absurd penalties that I’m honestly totally embarrassed about,” Brennan said.

“We gave them two points, that’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Johnson entered the game without a reception this season, but finished with four catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns and the kickoff return.

Ewaliko breaks loose

With the Rainbow Warriors protecting a four-point lead, senior wideout Keelan Ewaliko’s 56-yard catch-and-run set up UH’s final touchdown. The grab over the middle and sprint to the SJSU 3 matched the longest reception of his career, a go-ahead touchdown against UMass last season.

“Outside guys once in a while get opportunities,” Ewaliko said. “Every time we get the chance to touch the rock we try to make something happen.”

Ewaliko led UH with three catches for 82 yards. Slot receiver John Ursua entered the week leading the nation with 130.6 yards per game, but left the game on the opening play of the second quarter after being injured on his lone reception of the night. Ursua did not return and was on crutches with his right leg in a brace after the game.

McDonald throws a TD

UH backup quarterback Cole McDonald had primarily given UH a running threat in his scattered appearances this season. He defied the scouting report in his lone snap on Saturday.

With UH facing third-and-3 at the SJSU 4 in the second quarter, McDonald replaced Dru Brown behind center, rolled right and connected with tight end Dakota Torres in the back corner of the end zone for his first career touchdown pass. The score gave UH its first lead at 14-10 with 34 seconds left in the first half.