Billy Ray Stutzmann can recall the jitters running through him the first time he set his feet behind the line of scrimmage as a college wide receiver.

A redshirt freshman in 2010, Stutzmann’s appearance in Hawaii’s season opener against USC marked his debut with the Warriors. When he lines up against the Trojans again on Saturday, he’ll do so as the most experienced member of the UH offense.

“The first snap I was pretty nervous, going against SC and I’m just a freshman coming out of high school,” Stutzmann said in looking back at the 2010 meeting. “It was a different experience, but I have a lot more confidence now. I have a lot more experience so I’m going to treat this like every other game.”

That said, Stutzmann acknowledges that Saturday’s nationally televised game against the preseason No. 1 at a sold-out Los Angeles Coliseum is “definitely going to be the biggest game of my career so far.”

The Warriors depart for Los Angeles after today’s practice and Stutzmann is expected to make his 16th career start, the most on UH’s offense, on Saturday.

Stutzmann didn’t catch a pass the first time he played against USC and finished his freshman season, which included two starts, with 13 receptions.

Stutzmann started all 13 games at slot receiver last year and led the Warriors with 78 receptions while finishing second on the team with 910 yards and catching four touchdown passes.

With head coach Norm Chow installing a new offense, Stutzmann emerged from spring practice and fall camp with a starting job and Chow would like to see the junior continue to elevate his game.

“He’s an awfully good player, but I think good players like that need to take the next step,” Chow said.

“He played well last year and he needs to take the next step and become an elite player. … If we quit challenging these guys we’re making a mistake.”

It’s a challenge Stutzmann is working to fulfill.

“Every moment on the field he’s asking for perfection from me,” Stutzmann said. “I need to work on every little detail that he wants me to.”

Stutzmann’s status slipped a bit during fall camp when a hamstring injury slowed his progress. But he climbed back into the first unit heading into game week.

“It took a lot of work to get back to where I am now,” he said. “Today I’m feeling good. I think I’m at game tempo right now.”

Stutzmann said he’s developed a sharper connection with transfer quarterback Sean Schroeder and the receivers have benefitted from facing more physical coverage in practice.

UH’s current defense places more emphasis on man coverage and the cornerbacks — led by Mike Edwards on one side and Tony Grimes on the other — have forced the receivers to fight through pressure to get off the line and into the secondary.

“That’s one thing I really wanted to work on,” Stutzmann said. “Ever since coming out of high school I wanted to work on that and being more physical. Having these corners practicing with us every day and challenging us, it’s a big boost for us as a receiving corps to work with them.”

While the pro-style offense could mean fewer opportunities to catch the ball compared to the run-and-shoot, Stutzmann could still be one of the Warriors’ busiest receivers. He’s slated to start at “X” receiver, but could line up on either side of the formation depending on the personnel grouping.

Learning both assignments, as well as those of the rest of the offense, was high among his offseason priorities.

“I like to study it and know every position know where everyone’s going to go,” Stutzmann said. “It makes knowing what you have to do easier.”