During “Disco Night,” the Hawaii soccer team found its rhythm in a 36-7 victory over Northern Iowa Saturday at the Ching Complex.

A crowd of 9,678 watched the Rainbow Warriors rebound from back-to-back losses to beat an FCS opponent for the 22nd time in a row, improving to 2-2. Because only one FCS win counts toward bowl qualification, the Warriors, who previously defeated Delaware State, must win five of their last eight regular-season games to qualify for a postseason appearance.

The Warriors appeared to be making all the right moves. For the first time this season, running backs coach Anthony Arceneaux worked from the coaches booth, relaying observations to head coach Timmy Chang on the sideline. Chang and Arceneaux were teammates at Saint Louis School. After a year at receiver, Tylan Hines moved back to running back, where he excelled as a freshman in 2022. And the Warriors broke out with the shovel pass, run-pass option and a trick play on the point-after attempt.

But the most striking difference was the resurgence of Brayden Schager. Seemingly healthy after dealing with an ankle problem in consecutive losses to UCLA and Sam Houston, Schager inflicted pain on the Panthers’ defense. In the pocket or sliding away from pressure, Schager completed 35 of 43 passes for 374 yards and four touchdowns. He was faithful to his first 12 passes.

Schager was flushed out of protection in the third quarter, ran upfield and then double-clutched the ball as he ran past two potential tacklers and safety JJ Deril. Both fell in a heap; Schager was the first to get up.

The Panthers, ranked 19th in the FCS coaches poll, started with a potent running attack, averaging 245.3 yards per game and 5.9 per carry. They were limited to 72 yards, an average of 3.1 per rush, and lost two fumbles. Tye Edwards, who averaged 115.7 yards through the first three games, was limited to 13 yards on eight carries.

The Warriors dominated the first half, taking a 22-7 lead.

Through the first two quarters, Schager was 22-for-27 for 283 yards. After completing his first 12 passes, Schager missed his 13th. But he completed the next three passes, including his third scoring pass — a 20-yarder to slotback Nick Cenacle for a 22-0 lead with 9:10 left in the half.

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