Arizona State vs. Hawai'i Halftime Report

TEMPE- After losing at home to the Baylor Bears in a blowout, the Arizona State Sun Devils return to Mountain America Stadium, welcoming the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors for their last nonconference game of the season.

Head coach Kenny Dillingham took full accountability for the loss in Monday's press conference, stating to reporters, "We just have to play our best game. We have to play our best game. I have to coach my best game. I have to have my best week. I have to focus on the things that matter, which are effort and passion, running to the football, being the team that in a shoving match shoves last. I know it sounds like you want to be the hammer. Right now, the teams that I've coached, I feel like we have been a team that's been more of the hammer than the nail, and we have to become the hammer, and that's my fault."

Once the game began, the Rainbow Warriors got off to a quick offensive start, putting themselves on the board with a 44-yard field goal and leading 3-0 over the Sun Devils.

Once it was Arizona State's turn on the offensive end, quarterback Cutter Boley passed it to wide receiver Reed Harris for 18 yards to get themselves on the board with a touchdown.

At the start of the second quarter, the Rainbow Warriors put themselves in position to take the lead, however, the Sun Devils' defense has awakened with freshman edge Julian Hugo recording his first sack of his career. Hawai'i missed the field goal attempt from the 51-yard line.

A few moments later, Arizona State extended its lead to 14-3 after freshman running back Cardae Mack scored the team's second touchdown in the red zone.

The connection between Boley and Harris has been working pretty well throughout the game. The wide receiver duo of Harris and Omarion Miller has a combined 151 receiving yards in the first half.

Boley has been making progress as well, recording 162 yards and a touchdown while going 15-for-20 from the field.

One week ago, the Sun Devils had several miscommunications on both ends. On Saturday, Arizona State has been making progress to ensure that they don't lose in a blowout as they did on October 3.

For instance, the Sun Devils' defense has limited the Rainbow Warriors' offense to zero touchdowns, which is big. Just last week, Arizona State allowed Baylor to score a touchdown three times in the first half.

As they lead 17-6 at halftime, the big question is whether they end the nonconference with a win, or will they face a big challenge against Big 12 teams for the rest of the season, especially with how competitive it has gotten.