Outlook: Ignore the motions and multiple formations. The running game boils down to this: a six-pack of plays. This pro-set offense is just like the pros, with the fullback used mostly as a blocker, and, in a pinch, a check-down receiver. "In the NFL, the fullback plays about 15 snaps a game," UH coach Norm Chow said. "He blocks. He catches passes in the flats. That’s what we’re looking for: The one guy who can play 15 plays, block and catch the ball in the flats." Justin Vele and Jared Leaf are the fullbacks, although they often align in the slot as H-backs. Ryan Hall, the motion tight end, also serves in a similar role. The intent is when the linemen pull, the fullback serves as the lead blocker into the lane. None of the fullbacks has a carry this year. The position also has been providing extra protection for Schroeder, who was hit 20 times (including 15 on pass plays) in the opener against USC. In the past three games, he has been hit a combined 16 times, due in part to more rollouts and three-step drops. Schroeder might have an added weapon. Darius Bright, who missed the past two games because of a shoulder injury, is on the travel roster. There is some tinkering on the offensive line, with Milovale moving from left guard to right tackle. Winchester-Makainai and Kapua Sai will split reps at left guard.

HAWAII DEFENSE

Outlook: With four of the original five defensive tackles injured, the Warriors are scrambling for answers. For now, it will be Yap, their best rush end, and Correa as the starting interior linemen. Correa played 66 snaps against BYU, more than his combined number of plays in the first three games. Correa is healthy after missing most of 2011 with a fractured ankle that was initially misdiagnosed as a sprain. Two screws were inserted and "now it’s 100 percent," he proclaimed. The rush defense might need extensive repairs. Jordan Pu’u-Robinson, a Washington State transfer who was cleared to play a week ago, will be the fifth lineman in the four-man front. The linebackers also have been shuffled. Laurel moved from the strong side to the weak side. TJ Taimatuia moved from the middle to the strong side. And freshmen Fonua and Garcia-Williams will have expanded roles. Hardy-Tuliau also will rotate between cornerback and safety. Defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer, who expanded the defensive menu the past two games, is going back to basics, hoping a scaled-down plan will enable the defenders to play faster. The Warriors emphasized fundamentals this past week after, by their count, missing 16 tackles against BYU.

HAWAII SPECIALISTS

Outlook:Lost in this season are the performances of two specialists. It’s early, but Harding’s 12.6-yard average on punt returns is the best since Chad Owens’ 14.0 in 2004. In 2011, Hadden missed five of eight field-goal attempts from 30 yards or farther and failed to convert on three point-after tries. This year, he is 4-for-5 on field-goal attempts (his miss from 39 yards struck the post) and perfect on 10 PATs. He also is getting better distance on his kickoffs.

SAN DIEGO STATE OFFENSE

Outlook: In 2010, Katz was Oregon State’s rocket-armed, rapid-footed quarterback. But then he suffered a broken bone in his wrist, and while on the mend, he lost the starting job to second-year freshman Sean Mannion. Katz decided to make use of an NCAA rule that permits a graduate student to transfer without redshirting. He spoke with several schools, including UH, before deciding on SDSU. "I had a few conversations with Coach (Norm) Chow," Katz said. "I was pretty set on going to San Diego State at that point. I appreciated Chow’s time. He seems like a pretty good coach." Despite so-so statistics this season, Katz is a dual threat. Although he can spread the offense (eight different receivers caught passes in each of the past two games), his favorite target is Escobar, the MWC’s best tight end. Escobar, who was raised in New Jersey and idolized tight end Jeremy Shockey, has 15 receptions, nine of which went for first downs, and five were at least 25 yards. Muema (104.0 rushing yards per game) and Walter Kazee (72.4) are two reasons why the Aztecs are 16th nationally in rushing. Katz is the third reason. On non-sack scrambles or rushes, Katz has gained 315 yards, or 9.55 yards per carry.

SAN DIEGO STATE DEFENSE

Outlook: SDSU coach Rocky Long has created his version of the 3-3-5 defense from blueprints of several mentors, including Joe Lee Dunn when both were at New Mexico. "I think there’s about six or seven coaches who influenced what we’re doing on defense," Long said. "Right now, I’m thinking about being influenced by somebody else because we’re so bad on defense." When it works — and it hasn’t the past three games — the 3-3-5 is a swarming scheme in which defenders can attack from several points. The key is to get some push from the front three or four (if a linebacker sneaks into the tackle box). The redesign calls for simpler plans. The tricky schemes the past three games led to defenders not "completely sure what they’re doing, and they’re not really good at doing it," Long said. It could be worse without McFadden, who has six pass breakups and an interception in each of the past three games. "He’s good in zone (and) he plays great man-to-man coverage," Long said of McFadden. "If we had two of him out there, our pass defense would be much better." McFadden, whose father is a former Houston Astro, contemplated applying for the NFL Draft this past April. He eventually decided to stay put. "I wanted to get more school done," he said. "And I want to win a Mountain West championship."

SAN DIEGO STATE SPECIALISTS

Outlook: McMorrow is powerful on both punts (42.0-yard average) and kickoffs, of which 11 of his tee shots went for touchbacks. The Aztecs are less successful on placekicks. Marden has converted on two of five field-goal attempts. The Aztecs have forced opponents to punt 18 times, but they’ve returned only three, all by Vizzi.

RESULTS