Kapolei DB Leonard Lee returns one of three interceptions that the Hurricanes recorded against the Sabers. Jim Lebeau | SL

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Although all eyes were anxious to see what former University of Hawaii coach June Jones could do as the Hurricanes' offensive coordinator, it was the Kapolei defense that set the tone for the entire night.

The Hurricanes got a strong showing from all three levels of their defense in their season-opening win over Campbell, holding the Sabers to just 154 yards of total offense in a 38-0 victory.

Most people who saw the box score would look at quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa's five touchdown passes, but the defense had impressive numbers also, registering five sacks, three interceptions and four fourth-down stops. 

"Defense did a helluva of a job," said Tagovailoa. "Those guys, they're really hungry for the ball. They're just doing good things putting pressure, turning over the balls and taking advantage of it."

Some of the key standouts include linebackers Omar Mareko and Tyler Vasega, defensive linemen Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa and Dylan Naehu, and defensive backs Leonard Lee and Kalani Segovia.

Mareko had a game-high eight tackles, two for loss, one sack and one pass breakup while Vasega had six tackles, a sack and an interception. Tagovailoa-Amosa had two sacks and a forced fumble, Naehu had six tackles, three for loss, and Lee and Segovia each had a interception and a pass breakup. 

The Hurricanes aided the Campbell offense with two personal fouls on their first possession, but made up for it on a 4th-and-10 situation when Tagovailoa-Amosa strip sack quarterback Kawika Ulufale to derail the drive.

"The main thing for us was to stay focus, make plays and don't bring that extra stuff," said Tagovailoa-Amosa. "We kind of had that extra stuff in the beginning, but towards the end we started to pull through and we started finding ourselves more. As the game went on things started coming together." 

On Campbell's next possession, the Hurricanes found themselves in a tight situation when the Sabers had a 1st-and-goal opportunity at the Kapolei 1-yard line after they converted on a fourth down play. But like the Hurricanes did before, they quickly atoned for their errors and kept Campbell off the board.

After a tackle for loss and an incomplete pass, Mareko sacked Ulufale for a 10-yard loss on third down. Instead of going for a field goal, the Sabers went for it and failed after Tagovailoa-Amosa got his second sack of the night.

"All glory to God," said Tagovailoa-Amosa. "Just one of those things where you're in the right moment at the right time. Omar made a big stop, and I think because of it, that kind of drove them back and they were forced to pass." 

The change of possession ultimately benefitted the entire team as the offense marched down the field in five plays to score its first touchdown of the game to give Kapolei a 10-0 lead heading into half time.

With the defensive intensity already in place, Kapolei was able to capitalize in the second half. Ulufale's first two passes of the third quarter was broken up by Mareko and intercepted by Lee, which gave the Hurricanes possession at the Sabers' 20-yard line. One play Kapolei scored on another Tagovailoa touchdown.

Campbell marched all the way to the Kapolei 12-yard line on its ensuing drive, but the Hurricanes' defense stood tall once again, with Segovia intercepting a pass in the end zone and returning it 27 yards. Segovia also nearly had a pick-six on the Sabers' next series after reading a curl route perfectly.

"Our DBs where in the right position at the right time, knowing what their duties are, what their jobs are. Overall it was a good defensive effort," said Tagovailoa-Amosa.

The Hurricanes' final interception of the night did however come with a price. In the third quarter Vasega hauled in a Ulufale pass that was tipped up at the line of scrimmage, but suffered a left knee injury on the return and had to be helped off the field. 

"We're crossing our fingers and prayers out to him because he really is the heart and soul of the team," Kapolei coach said of Vasega. "He's the captain, he's somebody that everybody looks at. We're hopeful he bounces back."

Tagovailoa-Amosa said the entire team was moved when Vasega went down.

"It motivated all of us because Tyler's main thing that he always tell us is a captain is just a title. We're all born leaders, we all have that leadership skills. You just have to bring it out of you." 

Kapolei let some of its backups into the game during the fourth quarter and didn't disappoint, as they were able to preserve the shutout and enjoy a running clock midway through the final period. 

While Vasega's status is still unknown, the Hurricanes will soon gain the services of linebacker Rocky Savea, who sat out against the Sabers. Savea, a junior, has already received scholarships from FBS programs.