Punahou, ranked No. 9, fell to 2-3, 0-2.

Saint Louis' renowned run-and-shoot offense finished with just 150 yards through the air — a paltry number by the Crusaders' standards. But their defense came up with four turnovers and shut out the Buffanblu for 3› quarters to allow the offense time to get going.

"Their defense is always solid," Punahou coach Kale Ane said. "They've got good players and good coaches back there."

The Buffanblu played even with the Saints for much of the first half, until the game's crucial play with 5:19 remaining. That's when Punahou quarterback Brett Kan was sacked and fumbled the ball on the Crusaders' 36-yard line. Linebacker Jared Silva scooped up the loose ball and returned it 64 yards for a touchdown, and Jeremy Shea's extra point made it 7-0.

Saint Louis running back Kevin Sullivan fights off a tackle by Punahou's Keoki Hong in the second quarter at Aloha Stadium. The Crusaders scored two defensive touchdowns in the 35-7 victory. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

"They said it's similar to a whiplash, and we just wanted to be careful," Ane said. "We're hoping it's just a bruise and he won't be out long."

On the ensuing series, backup quarterback Justin Ingalls was sacked on first down and then threw an interception to defensive lineman Bryson Ka'ahanui, which was returned nine yards for another touchdown.

Ingalls, a junior who shared time with Kan during fall practice, was incomplete on his first five attempts, with two interceptions. He finished 7 of 15 for 50 yards and one touchdown, with three interceptions. Kan was 8 of 15 for 67 yards with no interceptions.

"It was a tough situation for (Ingalls) to come into, especially at a critical position like that," Ane said.

Saint Louis led 14-0 at halftime despite being outgained 126 yards to 98. Crusaders quarterback Stanley Nihipali, who has been recovering from a shoulder injury, was 3 for 13 in the first half for only 34 yards.

The Saints' offense warmed up in the second half, opening with a six-play, 62-yard drive culminating in Nihipali's 10-yard touchdown pass to Shaun Kauleinamoku. Crusaders defensive back Zach Santos then made an interception on Punahou's next play from scrimmage, and fullback Andrew Shriver scored on a 9-yard touchdown run four plays later to help make it 28-0.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.

SAINT LOUIS (4-1, 2-0) 0 14 14 7—35

PUNAHOU (2-3, 0-2) 0 0 0 7 —7

StL—Jared Silva 64 fumble return (Jeremy Shea kick)

StL—Bryson Ka'ahanui 9 interception return (Shea kick)

StL—Shaun Kauleinamoku 10 pass from Stanley Nihipali (Shea kick)

StL—Andrew Shriver 9 run (Shea kick)

StL—Kauleinamoku 18 pass from Nihipali (Shea kick)

Pun—Jeremiah Ostrowski 9 pass from Justin Ingalls (Thomas Cestare kick)

RUSHING—StL: Kevin Sullivan 11-64, Cody Wells 3-6, Nihipali 4-24, Shriver 5-41, Devan Essner 3-2, Cameron Higgins 2-4, Lene Auelua, Jr. 1-(minus-2). Pun: Brett Kan 1-(minus-2), Kainoa Johnson 4-3, , Colin Viloria 10-66, Steven Dannaway 2-8, Bucky Aona 1-0, Ingalls 4-(minus-24).

PASSING—StL: Nihipali 11-26-1—122, Higgins 3-4-0—28. Pun: Kan 8-15-0—67, Ingalls 7-15-3—50.