Not even a downpour could dampen the spirits of the Hawaii football team during yesterday’s 90-minute practice.

The defense worked on its new schemes in preparation for Saturday’s game against Division I-AA Charleston Southern.

Oblivious to the weather, quarterback Bryant Moniz was slinging in the rain.

"It’s not a big deal," said Moniz, a junior from Leilehua High. "It rains all of the time in Wahiawa, at least two times out of the week. I grew up in the rain."

UH head coach Greg McMackin had said the season was divided into sections. The first part consisted of the first three games — the opener against Southern California and road games against Army and Colorado. The Warriors are 1-2.

"We want to refine everything, and correct any mistakes we’ve done in the last three weeks," McMackin said.

Today is the Warriors’ final full practice of the week.

Forecast?

"It doesn’t matter," Moniz said. "We want to be an all-weather team."

Tackle: ‘Rain is nice’

One player who does not mind the weather is defensive tackle Siasau Matagiese, who transferred from Portland State. Downtown Portland averages 37.5 inches of rain each year.

"Rain is nice," Matagiese said. "I’d rather be cold than hot."

Matagiese began practicing with the Warriors this week.

The Waimea High graduate played for Portland State last year, and began pondering a transfer after the Vikings’ coaching staff was fired in December. He participated in spring training before requesting — and receiving — a release from his football scholarship.

At Portland State, he played defensive end in the 3-4 scheme. In UH’s base 4-3 alignment, he is a defensive tackle.

Matagiese said he is 6-foot-2 and 280 pounds.

He has to sit out this season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules. After that, he will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

As a nonscholarship player, he pays for his school expenses through financial aid and academic scholarships.

Buccaneers arrive today

Charleston Southern is set to depart its campus at 5:30 this morning.

The Buccaneers arrive in Honolulu today. They have workouts scheduled at Aloha Stadium.