Campbell's offense struggled to put points on the board against Radford yesterday, but its defense was fine.

Campbell scored on an interception return and a fumble return to rally past visiting Radford, 21-14, in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red West game.

"We don't anticipate scoring on defense, but it happened so we're just happy. Our defense came to play," said Campbell coach Tumoana Kenessey.

Campbell improved to 2-2-1 overall and 2-2 in league play; Radford dropped to 0-6 and 0-4.

Campbell defensive lineman Chris Fuga cut his team's deficit to 14-7 by picking off a pass into the right flat and returning it 30 yards for a score with 49 seconds left before halftime.

"It just came right into my hands because one of our D-line members, Christian Kelii, batted it down and it came into my hands," Fuga said.

According to Kenessey, Fuga should have been rushing the passer, but wound up covering the intended receiver.

"I called a stunt," Kenessey said. "He said, 'Oh coach, I ran the stunt.' But I don't think so. I think he free-lanced. But I told him, 'I'll take 7 on this and you did a helluva job.' "

Kenessey said the pick-6 got his team into the game.

"That turned things around for us because going in at halftime 14-0 would have been tough with Radford's defense playing so tough," he said. "(At) 14-7, now it's a game, now we have a shot at it."

On the first drive of the second half, Radford's Epa Maika completed a pass to the left side, but the receiver was stripped and Sabers linebacker Guilliano Stevenson picked it up and ran 55 yards down the sideline to tie the game at 14.

"I saw him catch the ball and he let the ball go," Stevenson said. "I felt like I just picked up the ball and the next thing you know, I'm in the end zone."

Campbell took the lead with 41 seconds left in the third quarter on a 4-yard run by Bronson Ellis-Riveria. Pita Feleunga's conversion run made it 21-14.

Radford advanced the ball near midfield on its final possession, but Fuga recorded a sack on the game's final play.

"No more downs, end of game," he said.

Radford gained one first down in the second half, gaining only 9 yards on 25 plays.

"If the offense is struggling, the defense has to pick it up," Stevenson said.

In the second half, Campbell went primarily with perimeter runs out of the split-back formation. It ran the ball 28 times for 117 yards and passed only four times — all incompletions.

"They were putting 10 in the box almost every time," Kenessey said. "We saw something on their perimeter. On that side, it's all one-on-one."

The Rams led 14-0 late in the first half after slot back Jonathan Atangan scored on a 31-yard double reverse and a 32-yard end around.

"They scouted us well. Our defense is aggressive and we attack to the ball and the problem was the people away from the ball didn't do their assignments," Kenessey said.

Campbell finished with 115 yards of total offense, including only three completions. It had 12 penalties for 125 yards.

"Radford's defense played a helluva game," Kenessey said. "They held us to seven points offensively."

Radford had 176 yards of total offense and committed 15 penalties for 149 yards.

RADFORD (0-6, 0-4) 7 7 0 0—14

CAMPBELL (2-2-1, 2-2) 0 7 6 8—21

Rad — Jonathan Atangan 32 run (Atangan kick)

Rad — Atangan 31 run (Atangan kick)

Camp — Chris Fuga 30 interception return (Martin Kodama kick)

Camp — Guilliano Stevenson 55 fumble return (kick failed)

Camp — Bronson Ellis-Riveria 4 run (Pita Feleunga run)

RUSHING—Campbell: Feleunga 10-66, Faafetai Tuvale 6-38, Kevin Newcomb 6-(minus 46), Obadiah Mataio 1-(minus 3), Derrick Santiago 5-18, Brandon Ahuna 1-(minus 8), Samson Anguay 4-16, Jayden Ercanbrack 3-13, Ellis-Riveria 5-29, team 1-(minus 8). Radford: Mosiah Manuma 1-(minus 1), Jared Victorino 1-2, Luke Failauga 4-14, Ezekiel Pulou-Falaniko 5-12, Atangan 3-60, Epa Maika 6-(minus 34), Robert Limos 1-0.

PASSING—Campbell: Newcomb 3-12-2-18, Mataio 0-1-0-0. Radford: Maika 14-34-2-123.

RECEIVING—Campbell: Kodama 2-15, Kia Kapana 1-3. Radford: Manuma 7-62, Atangan 3-15, Shawn Putnam-Curry 4-46.

JV—Radford 0, Campbell 0.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.