Vanderbilt football score updates vs. Hawaii: Clark Lea, Commodores in 2023 season opener

Vanderbilt football will play its first game in FirstBank Stadium since the beginning of the construction in both end zones in its Week Zero tilt against Hawaii.

The Commodores are looking to build off a 5-7 2022 season that included a 63-10 victory against the Rainbow Warriors on the road.

In its second year under Timmy Chang, Hawaii is expected to run a variation of the pass-heavy run and shoot offense. Chang was a record-setting quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors in the early 2000s, making this a matchup of teams coached by former players.

Clark Lea, the former Vanderbilt fullback and now coach, is hoping for the team to get to six wins and a bowl game in his third season.

The Commodores will be without defensive end Darren Agu and defensive tackle Christian James for the game due to injuries.

Vanderbilt football score updates vs. Hawaii

Fourth quarter

FINAL: Vanderbilt 35, Hawaii 28

It was not a pretty second half, but Vanderbilt is 1-0.

1-0: Vanderbilt football survives scare against Hawaii, wins season opener

Clark Lea won't be happy with the 39 rushing yards gained or the 351 passing yards allowed. But it's Week 0, and the Commodores have an FCS opponent up next. Work to be done.

1:43 left: De'Rickey Wright with another huge INT to put this one away. Schager was pressured by Yilanan Ouattara, which forced the bad throw. Hawaii does not have any timeouts remaining.

2:24 left: Vanderbilt going for it on 4th and 8 from the Hawaii 37, or at least lining up for it. Instead, a delay of game and a Vandy punt.

Hawaii going to have the ball with a chance to tie (or go ahead with a TD and two-point conversion).

3:59 left: Roughing the passer continues the Vandy drive into Hawaii territory.

Problem for the Commodores: 22 carries for 43 yards tonight on the ground.

4:47 left: Hawaii onside kick is recovered by the Rainbow Warriors, but by a player out of bounds. Vanderbilt isn't on the ropes yet, but there's been a few uppercuts thrown by Hawaii.

Hawaii closes to within a score late

4:58 left: Ashlock's catch converts a 4th and 3, and it'll either be a touchdown or 1st and goal from the 1.

It will be 1st and goal, and Dalen Morris comes in to run a QB keeper and scores. 1-yard run. PAT good.

Vanderbilt 35, Hawaii 28.

7:07 left: Vanderbilt turns the ball over on downs, and Schager takes a downfield shot to Ashlock for 50 yards. Rainbow Warriors in the red zone.

11:20 left: Pofele Ashlock wins the race to the end zone on a quick flat route for a 3-yard touchdown catch. Vanderbilt 35, Hawaii 21.

Ashlock had a 35-yard catch earlier in the drive. Rainbow Warriors outgaining the Commodores 319-261. Schager up to 285 passing yards and 3 touchdowns with the one huge interception in the end zone in the second quarter.

14:49 left: On fourth down, Swann finds London Humphreys, the former CPA star, on a go-route for a 32-yard touchdown catch in Humphrey's first collegiate game.

PAT good. Vanderbilt 35, Hawaii 14.

Swann is 16-of-24 for 214 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Third quarter

2:13 left: Swann rolls to the left and finds Gamarion Carter for 44 yards. But Swann was penalized for an illegal forward pass. It's under review. Close play.

After review, penalty is wiped away. Nice play by Swann.

2:44 left: Vanderbilt defense gets a fourth down stop after Hawaii drives deep into Vandy territory. That might have been Hawaii's last best chance to get back into this game. Hawaii had converted both fourth down attempts tonight, including one earlier in the drive.

Will Sheppard has second TD catch of the day as Vandy leads by 14

9:32 left: Will Sheppard catches his second TD of the game, a 1-yard catch to put Vandy up 28-14.

Sheppard had a 27-yard punt return to set up the Commodores with good field position, and had a 16-yard catch later in the drive. He has 5 catches for 46 yards and the two TDs.

12:15 left: CJ Taylor sacks Schager on third down to force a Hawaii punt.

13:33 left: Vandy offense begins the third quarter with a 3-and-out.

Second quarter

HALFTIME: Vanderbilt 21, Hawaii 14

Vandy's pass protection has not been good in the second quarter.

1:29 left: Nate Clifton sacks Schager on third down, and Vandy's offense will have a chance to score before the end of the half.

6:12 left: Huge play by the Vandy defense. After a Hawaii procedure penalty on 1st and goal from the 1-yard line, De'Rickey Wright picks off a fade route throw in the end zone. Vandy ball.

8:50 left: Vanderbilt turns ball over on downs on a 4th and 1 stop by the Hawaii defense.

13:03 left: A quick answer by Hawaii, with Schager finding McBride for a 45-yard TD.

McBride's second TD catch of the first half. Vanderbilt 21, Hawaii 14

Will Sheppard's first TD catch of 2023

14:56 left: First play of the second quarter is a Will Sheppard 7-yard TD catch from A.J Swann.

Vanderbilt 21, Hawaii 7

First quarter

Jayden McGowan kickoff return TD

7:00 left: Jayden McGowan is very fast. He runs around the Hawaii kickoff team and down the left sideline for a 97-yard return touchdown.

2-point conversion good. Vanderbilt 14, Hawaii 7.

Hawaii in front after TD drive response

7:13 left: Touchdown Hawaii. Kansas transfer Steven McBride scores on a 9-yard TD catch over the middle. PAT good.

Hawaii 7, Vanderbilt 6.

Vandy front seven has been stout against the run, but too easy for Hawaii QB Brayden Schager to find open receivers.

7:19 left: Hawaii will have first and goal after a Vanderbilt pass interference on third down. Rainbow Warriors have had two chunk plays on throws to the right side.

Vanderbilt on the board quickly after 0-yard punt

11:36 left: Patrick Smith goes around left end untouched for a 21-yard TD run. PAT no good.

Vanderbilt 6, Hawaii 0.

13:26 left: Three-and-out. Good start by the Vandy defense.

Matthew Shipley's punt, after a bad snap, goes nowhere. Really. 0 yard punt.

14:52 left: Underway at West End. Hawaii will receive the opening kickoff.

Vanderbilt football delay update

UPDATE: Vandy is targeting a 8:11 p.m. CT kickoff time.

Vandy-Hawaii will start in a delay

Follow along with our Vandy football follower updates on Twitter.com.

Some pregame Vanderbilt football reading

SCOUTING REPORT: Vanderbilt football vs. Hawaii in season opener: Score prediction, scouting report

YEAR 3 FOR CLARK LEA: Clark Lea on joy, burden and pain of leadership and rising Vanderbilt football expectations

PICK 'EM: Vanderbilt football game-by-game predictions in 2023: Are six wins, a bowl game possible?

What time does Vanderbilt play Hawaii on TV today? What are betting odds?

• KICKOFF: 6:30 p.m.

• TV: SEC Network

• BETTING ODDS: Vanderbilt by 17.5

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt score updates vs Hawaii in 2023 college football opener