Tuipulotu, Meatoga and Masch make up Hawaii’s version of the big 3

Somewhere along the way, Hawaii football players Vaughn Meatoga and Kaniela Tuipulotu were roused from their sweet dreams.

“I wanted to be a quarterback,” Meatoga said. “Don’t we all? Or I wanted to be (Hall of Fame receiver) Jerry Rice. I outgrew that dream. God had other plans for me.”

Growing up on Maui, Tuipulotu aspired to be just like All-Pro running back Jerome “The Bus” Bettis.

“I got big, but I got slower,” Tuipulotu said, smiling. “I’m ‘The Buggy.’ ”

Meatoga and Tuipulotu are now defensive tackles, and, in Saturday’s season opener, the Warriors’ first line of defense against Colorado’s smash-mouthpiece running game.

UH coach Greg McMackin refers to the defensive tackles as “gold.”

“They’re worth their weight in gold,” McMackin said. ‘That’s the starting point of our run defense.”

The gold chain extends to left end, where associate member Zach Masch, will start Saturday.

“Masch is a quick tackle,” McMackin said. “We really have three tackles” in the starting lineup.

Tony Tuioti, who coaches the defensive tackles, said those three players provide strength in the trenches. Each can draw tandem blocks, opening the way for a linebacker to swoop in for a tackle.

“If offenses try to single-block them, they win their share of battles,” Tuioti said. “They’re able to make plays. It’s one thing to get off a block. It’s another thing to get off a block and make a tackle. They have the ability to make plays.”

The three are close friends who are connected at the funny bone.

Meatoga said they nearly “disowned” Masch “after he had a heat stroke the first day of pads.”

Meatoga said Masch uses his quickness and strength to create his own style.

“If you were to describe his play, he’s very unorthodox,” Meatoga said. “He encourages people not to do what he does. It works for him, but it wouldn’t work for others.”

Tuipulotu referred to Meatoga as a recovering angry man.

“A little short on the temper,” Tuipulotu said. “He’s matured with the years. When he’s in public, he’s a certain way. When he’s with the guys, he’s still a clown.”

Meatoga described Tuipulotu as “a bald Big Foot. He has size 16 feet. He has long arms. He’s scary.”

Tuipulotu said he expects a challenge on Saturday.

“Colorado is going to test us mentally and physically,” Tuipulotu said. “I believe we’ll be ready.”