PROVO, Utah »With dwindling numbers on the defensive front, the Hawaii football team knew it eventually had to look to the end of the line.

"We had nobody else," defensive line coach Lewis Powell said of moving Beau Yap from end to tackle in the first quarter of the Warriors’ 47-0 loss to Brigham Young.

"Desperation," UH head coach Norm Chow added.

The Warriors’ base defense has two defensive tackles, with one a nose tackle and the other playing the 3-technique in the gap between an offense’s tackle and guard.

"We came to Utah with three D-tackles, and we tried to convert (defensive end) Marcus (Malepeai) into a D-tackle," Powell said. "Then three got hurt in the first quarter."

Geordon Hanohano and Siasau Matagiese both suffered apparent neck injuries and were taken off the field, separately, on a rolling stretcher. X-rays were negative for both players. Although Matagiese might be able to play as early as next weekend, it has not been determined how long Hanohano will be sidelined.

Later, Malepeai left with a sprained knee. He might undergo an MRI in Honolulu.

With Haku Correa the only experienced defensive tackle on the travel roster, the coaches asked Yap, their best pass-rusher, to move to tackle.

Yap’s only experience as an interior lineman is on pass-rush packages.

"Other than that, not much," Yap said. "I had to step in for fallen guys, whom I wished didn’t go down. I had to step up and play for the team."

Yap, who is 6 feet 2 and 260 pounds, faced blockers who were at least 3 inches taller and 40 pounds heavier.

"They’re all skyscrapers looking down on me," Yap said.

Yap was told to play low.

"I had to use my size disadvantage," he said.

He was used mostly in the 3-technique, although he had some reps at nose tackle.

"I’m not one of those guys to give in," Yap said. "I kept battling."

Yap managed one tackle, but his role was mostly to hold the point and occupy blockers.

"Beau doesn’t say much, but he works hard," defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer said. "He does his job."

The interior line began to thin after Calen Friel and Moses Samia suffered season-ending injuries. Backup center Kody Afusia auditioned at defensive tackle, but it was decided he was needed more on offense. Mike Andrade, a freshman, is recovering from a variety of ailments and was not on the travel roster.

"They told all of the D-ends we’d all have to rotate inside," Yap said.

Because of his skill off the edge, Yap was kept at end.

Of all of the ends, Powell said, "Yap is the most stout guy. We had to move him inside. He went in there and did a great job. I’m proud of him. I’m proud of all of those guys."