UH quarterback Tyler Graunke takes a hit after getting off a pass during the first quarter against Charleston Southern. Andrew Shimabuku The Honolulu Advertiser

Graunke started for Brennan, but was inconsistent early, throwing for two interceptions and fumbling the ball once (UH recovered) in the first half.

Granke completed 12 of 25 passes for 174 yards with a touchdown in the first half. In the second half, though, the junior quarterback was 10 of 11 for 111 yards and two scores. He left after the third period with UH leading 49-10. Inoke Funaki replaced him.

UH led 21-10 at halftime and blew it open with two touchdowns scored without the offense touching the ball.

Ryan Mouton, who scored on a 40-yard interception return against Nevada-Las Vegas last week, returned the opening second-half kickoff 90 yards for a score and a 28-10 lead. On Charleston Southern's enusing possession, linebacker Adam Leonard returned an interception 36 yards for a score and a 35-10 lead.

Graunke looked more in control after halftime and drove UH for a score and a 42-10 lead. Graunke, on fourth-and-1 from the 19, passed short to Davone Bess, who spun around a tackler and did a somersault as he crossed the goal line. Graunke later passed 35 yards to C.J. Hawthorne for a score and a 49-10 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Funaki passed to Aaron Bain for a 2-yard touchdown pass. Funaki also drove UH to a field goal — a 29-yarder by Dan Kelly — for a 59-10 lead, and then passed 19 yards to Michael Washington to close out the scoring.

The Warriors needed the second-half scoring flurry because their offense sputtered early.

After forcing the Buccaneers to punt on their first possession, Graunke promptly threw an interception on his first pass — a long throw intended for Malcolm Lane.

Graunke fared better on UH's second possession, throwing a 28-yard touchdown pass to Hawthorne, who was wide open over the middle. Kelly converted the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 9:54 left in the first period.

Charleston Southern tied it at 7 when Eli Byrd passed 56 yards to Dee Brown, who broke a tackle for the score.

UH took a 14-7 lead on a 16-yard touchdown run by Kealoha Pilares.

Charleston Southern drove to the UH 3 for a potential tying score but fumbled on third down and Jacob Patek recovered. However, UH gave the ball back when Jason Rivers fumbled after a catch near midfield.

The defense set up UH's third score when Desmond Thomas intercepted a pass and returned the ball 27 yards to set up Graunke's 6-yard touchdown run. Kelly's extra-point kick made it 21-7.