HAWAII OFFENSE

Offensive coordinator Don Bailey calls the end zone "the paint," and last week, running backs Paul Harris and Mel Davis demonstrated their turpentine powers. They have scored UH’s three rushing touchdowns this year. Harris, who can run sub-4.4 seconds over 40 yards, is averaging 6.2 yards per carry. On bubble screens, his yards-after-catch are 9.67. Davis, who reported at 251 pounds in mid-August, is down to 233 — a weight loss, he claims, that left him "starving for the end zone." Harris will make his third consecutive start, but Diocemy Saint Juste, who was No. 1 until he suffered a hamstring injury in training camp, is back in the mix. Saint Juste has developed from solely a speed back to a functional blocker. He said line coach Chris Naeole offered tips and, during the summer, "I kept practicing every day with defensive players." Wideout Quinton Pedroza, who rested an ailing leg last week, has declared himself physically fit. Devan Stubblefield will rotate between the two wideout positions. Last week, Stubblefield caught all six passes when he was the primary target. In UH’s offense, which can spread 43 yards wide at the snap, the lanes opened for quarterback Max Wittek, who is averaging 7.86 yards after breaking or eluding tackles in non-sack scrambles.

HAWAII DEFENSE

Kennedy Tulimasealii, who plays right end in the 3-4 base and nose tackle in the nickel package, draws the most attention because of his chaos-causing quickness and power. But the other end, Luke Shawley, has been impactful as an edge setter. Shawley remains in every package. Last week, he led all front-seven players with 58 snaps. He is third with 19 tackles this season. The secondary’s hardest hitter, Ne’Quan Phillips, might be limited tonight because of health issues. Jalen Rogers, who started the opener, would get the first shot at right cornerback. When the Rainbow Warriors slide into a nickel coverage, strong safety Daniel Lewis is expected to play nickel while Gaetano DeMattei serves as the strong safety. At 5 feet 8 and 175 pounds, DeMattei has drawn comparisons to former UH safety Richard Torres. Last week, DeMattei had a pancake block to free Keelan Ewaliko on a 65-yard kickoff return. Linebacker Jahlani Tavai continues to improve on the weak side, earning a 93 percent grade last week.

HAWAII SPECIALISTS

The Rainbow Warriors were the rare team to travel with three snappers. But the luxury turned into a necessity when long snapper Brian Hittner suffered a season-ending spinal bruise. Noah Borden, who completed a two-year church mission in the spring, has been long-snapping since playing in Pop Warner leagues. His older brother, Kawika Borden, was UH’s long-snapper two years ago. In the shield-protection scheme, Noah Borden’s linebacker skills will be useful on punt coverage. Quinton Pedroza, who did not play last week because of an ailment, is expected to be the punt return specialist.

WISCONSIN OFFENSE (EDGE)

It is difficult to identify the down-and-distance situation from the Badgers’ formations. They prefer to align in a power formation — with a blocking tight end (Austin Traylor was targeted five times in 49 pass plays the past two games) and fullback Derek Watt (JJ’s younger brother) — in most situations. Top back Corey Clement missed the past 21/2 games because of a groin injury, and now will miss six more after he undergoes sports-hernia surgery. In two starts as Clement’s replacement, Dare Ogunbowale is averaging 6.63 yards per carry, including 3.19 after contact. In the opener, 20 of Joel Stave’s 39 passes went to backs, tight ends or Watt. In the past two games, that group was targeted 11 times. Stave, who usually operates under center and after huddling, is an efficient passer (67.4 percent accuracy) but not a designed runner (one non-sack rush this season). Tanner McEvoy, who starts at safety, also aligns as a wideout, slotback and wildcat quarterback. He averages 12 yards a touch. "I can throw it and I can run it and I can play receiver," McEvoy said. "It’s not too obvious what’s going to happen when I’m in the offensive huddle."

WISCONSIN DEFENSE (EDGE)

In Mad City, defensive coordinator Dave Aranda is the "Mad Scientist" whose innovative schemes — mad-libs — have restricted opponents to an 18.0-point average in 30 games. The multiple-blitz system works because of the lock-down corners, safeties with range, and outside linebackers who are free-style artists. "(Aranda) is always bringing new pressures, new blitzes, new disguises," said outside linebacker Joe "The Show" Schobert, who is third nationally with 7.5 tackles for loss. "I like to think it keeps offenses on their toes. They don’t really know where we’re going to come from. He does a good job every week of finding their weaknesses and putting us in a position to make plays." The Badgers missed 17 tackles against Alabama, extended a Miami (Ohio) drive because of spearing, and suffered two ejections for targeting against Troy. Chris Orr, who replaced one of the ejected players, made 14 tackles and a pass breakup in 60 defensive snaps. Orr will start against UH. The Badgers held Miami to minus-3 yards rushing and, in the past two games, limited opposing runners to an average of 2.01 yards after contact.

WISCONSIN SPECIALISTS (EDGE)

Andrew Endicott volunteers as a soccer coach for special-needs players and works at a homeless shelter. But on kickoffs, Endicott is stingy, with 13 of19 kickoffs resulting in touchbacks. Returners are averaging 17.7 yards, with opponents’ average starting position at their 21 following a Wisconsin kickoff. Drew Meyer is averaging only 39.2 yards per punt. But the Badgers are allowing 3.71 yards per punt return, which is 11th nationally and second in the Big Ten.