The Hawaii football team will be without one of its best defensive linemen the rest of the season after nose tackle Moses Samia was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his right knee.

"It’s tough," UH coach Norm Chow said. "He’s devastated. You lose guys, we’ll survive. But losing him is really hard."

Samia, a sophomore from Saint Louis School, suffered the injury during the Warriors’ 54-2 victory over Lamar on Saturday when a Cardinals offensive lineman fell on Samia’s right knee.

Samia underwent an MRI on Sunday afternoon.

"It’s a tough one for us," Chow said. "It’s part of this crazy game we play."

Samia will undergo surgery after swelling subsides in the knee.

Samia was listed as the starting nose tackle, although he also could play defensive tackle in the 3-technique (aligned in the gap between the guard and center).

Samia, Siasau Matagiese, Geordon Hanohano and Haku Correa had been rotating at the two interior-line positions.

Chow said the Warriors might tighten the rotation to three. In that scenario, Matagiese, Hanohano and Correa would be used at both positions.

Another possibility is to slide defensive end Tavita Woodard to defensive tackle in sub-packages.

"Tavita does a good job of using his hands and getting off his blocks," defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer said. "He’s a disrupter."

Defensive end Marcus Malepeai also can be used as a defensive tackle, although the UH coaches would prefer he focus on one position.

Mike Andrade, a freshman from Konawaena High, also might be added to the mix. Andrade has recovered from a hand injury. He was held out of the first two games, keeping open the possibility of redshirting.

Chow acknowledged the Warriors will not be as "sturdy" without Samia.

But Chow added: "We’re going to close ranks and keep marching."

The Warriors’ depth on the defensive line was thinned during training camp. Calen Friel is out for the season after undergoing surgery for a fractured ankle. Jordan Pu‘u-Robinson, a transfer from Washington State, was denied an exemption that would have allowed him to play this season.

The Warriors will face Nevada in a nationally televised (NBC Sports, Ch. 19/210) game this Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The Wolf Pack are seventh nationally in rushing (305.3 yards per game), and Stefphon Jefferson is No. 2 with 176.3 rushing yards per game.

The Warriors are 11th in rushing defense (62.5 yards per game).