Zach Masch’s earliest football memories are shaded heavily in silver and black.

While growing up in Northern California, trips to the Oakland Coliseum were a regular part of Masch’s fall weekends. He attended his first Raiders game at age 5.

Now a Hawaii defensive lineman, Masch’s film study sometimes includes classic clips of Raiders lore.

"Last night I was watching the 1983 Raiders, 1980, all the documentaries," Masch said after the Warriors’ practice Wednesday morning. "I just love that whole philosophy of football, just that mean streak."

Masch particularly admired Hall of Famer Howie Long’s versatility on the Raiders’ feared defensive fronts of the ’80s.

It’s a trait that Masch is working to develop in his senior season with the Warriors.

A backup defensive tackle last year, Masch shifted to defensive end in fall camp and has started all five games on the left side of the line for the Warriors.

He’s continued to contribute at tackle in certain packages, providing depth and flexibility at both spots.

"He’s one of the most athletic defensive tackles we’ve had here in a while," UH defensive line coach Tony Tuioti said. "He’s physical enough to play inside and play the run. But for as big as he is, he can run like a deer.

"I feel comfortable putting him anywhere on the line of scrimmage. You can’t say that about a lot of guys, but he has that physical versatility."

Masch enters Friday’s Western Athletic Conference game at San Jose State with 13 total tackles, including 21⁄2 for losses.

Tuioti said Masch’s strength on the end has helped fortify the Warriors’ run defense, anchored inside by tackles Kaniela Tuipulotu and Vaughn Meatoga. UH currently ranks first in the WAC and 18th in the nation against the run, giving up 93.2 yards per game.

"It really doesn’t mater where I am on the field," Masch said. "I just want to make a play."

After transfering from Arizona Western Community College in 2009, Masch broke into the tackle rotation midway through last season, recording two sacks as a junior.

Masch’s propensity for big plays in limited action prompted Tuioti to dub him "the microwave" and his attention to technique led to a more extensive role this season.

"Before he was a high-motor guy, but he wasn’t always sound in terms of where he needed to be," Tuioti said. "Now he understands the whole game and he’s been a whole different player. It’s night and day now."

The coaches informed Masch of their plans to have him play a different role this season about a week before fall camp.

Compared to absorbing double teams at tackle, Masch said playing defensive end is "a little less physical, because it’s more about your speed and getting up field."

But he still gets a heavy dose of life in the interior line and played tackle in UH’s win at Louisiana Tech on Oct. 1, when the Warriors held the Bulldogs to 63 rushing yards.

"Kani and Vaughn, I give credit to those guys," Masch said. "I had to get used to it again, you’re getting banged from side to side constantly. At D-end you’re just getting off the ball and you’re dealing with one block instead of two most of the time."

Masch hails from Nevada City, Calif., about a 31⁄2-hour drive northeast of San Jose, and expects about 60 friends and family members to attend the game at Spartan Stadium.

"I’ve been excited all week to play in front of my friends and family, something I haven’t done in a long time," said Masch, who will also have a large following when UH plays at Nevada on Nov. 12, with Reno, Nev., about an hour away from home.

His father, Dean, is organizing a tailgate for the group and is the source of Masch’s devotion to the Raiders. Masch said his dad recently checked off a goal by spending a Raiders game in the famed "Black Hole."

"They showed him on TV with the Black Hole sign all up in front," Masch said. "Typical Raiders fan, just rowdy."