SAN JOSE, Calif. » The past week, there was a daily show of hands from Hawaii football players seeking ways to irritate San Jose State, today’s opponent.

This season, the Spartans have relinquished six sacks in six games, or one sack every 36.2 pass plays. Quarterback Matt Faulkner’s quick release and the Spartans’ maximum-protection schemes make it difficult for defenses to break the pocket.

As part of a counter strategy, the UH linemen have practiced raising their arms to obscure the passing lanes.

“We’re looking for different ways to affect the quarterback,” defensive line coach Tony Tuioti said.
 

Outlook: After missing the past three games because of a dislocated joint in his right foot, Miah Ostrowski has been cleared to play. The plan calls for Clapp and Ostrowski to rotate at right slotback. They have been dependable targets, with Ostrowski catching 90.5 percent of the passes when he is the primary receiver; Clapp’s efficency is 84.7 percent. Sapolu is set to make the first start of his 20-game UH career. Leonard has recovered from a concussion, and will start at left guard. Lefotu will make his first start at right guard, with center Matagisila Lefiti serving as his backup. The Warriors want to avoid a repeat of the Louisiana Tech game in which Moniz was hit 13 times. Moniz, though, has shown no wear or tear. “That’s part of the job: taking a shot, getting up, shaking it off,” Moniz said. “It’s all fun. I usually congratulate the defense after I get hit. ‘Ooh, that was a good one.’ ”

HAWAII DEFENSE

Outlook: The Warriors are third nationally in sacks (3.80 per game) while playing half the downs in a nickel coverage and blitzing economically. Against Louisiana Tech, the Warriors had four sacks despite blitzing eight times in 77 plays. What’s more, in the past two games, the Warriors missed 13 chances for sacks, including four on third-down plays. The Warriors have managed to harass quarterbacks because of clingy four-deep coverage by the secondary, speed rushes from linebackers Art Laurel (three sacks) and Darryl McBride aligned as ends, and favorable down-and-distance situations. Opponents have converted 15 percent on third-and-10-plus plays. Mike Sellers, who played in 76 defensive downs against LaTech, has become a versatile nickelback. Last year’s nickel, Hardy-Tuliau, has matured as a pass defender. In Tuesday’s practice, he made seven interceptions during passing drills. “We talk about seeing the receiver early and the quarterback late,” associate head coach Rich Miano said. “John does a good job of seeing what’s developing, then looking to the quarterback. Once he sees that, he’s playing the ball, and not the receiver. He sees the ball well.”

Outlook: With Hadden suffering from periodic discomfort in his right hip, Chun will handle the kick-scoring duties up to 40 yards. Hadden will be used for kickoffs and long-distance, field-goal attempts. The Warriors believe the answer to avoiding blocked kicks is improving their timing. The snap-to-kick goal is 1.3 seconds. Dunnachie, who has used a lower contact point this year, is going back to his previous punting style.

Outlook: Dramamine is recommended for watching videos of the Spartans’ constant-motion offense. After the pre-snap shifts, there are formations of up to five receivers, or double tight ends, or two, one or no backs. For each game, UH draws a card for each play by an opposing team. In charting the Spartans, the deck was more than 100 cards. Rutley, who averages 103.8 rushing yards per game, is expected to play after missing last week’s game because of an ankle injury. That’s another weapon for Faulkner, who has productive targets in Grigsby (6.5 catches per game) and Otten, the nation’s most prolific tight end (24 catches for 372 yards). Both usually align on the same side, although in a role reversal, Otten can align in the slot or wide. Liaina, who is strictly a blocking back, and tight end Peter Tuitupou provide extra pass protection. And Koloto, who did not play last week, is back in the lineup. Faulkner is not fast, but he is deceptive on bootlegs and play-action moves.

Outlook: The Spartans attack out of an even front, with the tackles usually across the guards, and the ends aligned wide. That leaves the linebackers, about 5 yards from the line of scrimmage at the snap, to fill in the gaps. Tuipulotu, who has rover-like responsibilities, often is used to cover an inside receiver. Smith floats between pass-rusher and pass-defender. Festejo, in his sixth year after not playing last season, bumped Vince Buhagiar, a heralded freshman in 2010. Ihenacho, who missed all but two games because of an injury last year, is the playmaker. But the Spartans have been struggling for solutions at corner. Brandon Driver, their best cover defender, is lost for the season because of an Achilles’ injury.

Outlook: The development of the Sweden-born Alvernik eases Waid’s workload. Last year, Waid handled the Spartans’ place-kicks, kickoffs and punts. This year, Waid is averaging 42.56 yards per punt. But he is better in altitude (53.4 yards) than sea level (38.3). Ervin, who was recruited as an “athlete,” has breakaway speed on kickoff returns.