Hawaii rallies from early deficit to beat Middle Tennessee in the Hawaii Bowl

Dru Brown threw for 274 yards and four touchdowns and Hawaii overcame an early deficit to beat Middle Tennessee, 52-35, in the Hawaii Bowl on Saturday night.

The Rainbow Warriors (7-7) amassed 500 yards of total offense and their highest-scoring output this season to end the year on a three-game winning streak.

Brown completed 20 of 30 passes without an interception. He had a two-yard touchdown run and was sacked just once.

“I think the offensive line played a solid role in that,” Brown said. “They played really well the last two games and really all year. Most of the time when the offense isn’t working it’s my fault. I still think I made some mistakes today, (but) they just weren’t magnified. The receivers played great and the coaches called great plays.”

Tight end Metuisela Unga caught two of Brown’s scoring strikes, an 18-yarder in the first quarter for Hawaii’s first score and a 12-yarder late in the third. Diocemy Saint Juste ran for 170 yards in 25 carries.

Hawaii turned three Middle Tennessee turnovers into 21 points. It fell behind 14-0 just over 5 minutes into the game, but scored the next 28 points and never relinquished the lead. Hawaii took at 35-21 lead into halftime.

“I think that’s been kind of a trend this year where we start off slow, but after those two scores we all came together on the sideline and said, `Enough is enough, let’s go,“’ Hawaii defensive lineman Kory Rasmussen said.

Brent Stockstill started at quarterback for the Blue Raiders (8-5) after missing the last three games with a broken collarbone. He finished 30-of-51 passing for 432 yards. Stockstill threw four touchdown passes — two to Richie James — and was intercepted twice.

“Obviously, we’re disappointed, disappointed for our seniors,” Stockstill said. “I played terrible in first half and put us in a deep hole. We tried to come out of it, but we just didn’t make enough plays.”

James caught nine passes for 175 yards. It was his 14th game of 100 or more receiving yards in his career. Middle Tennessee posted 542 yards of total offense.