NEW MEXICO OFFENSE

Outlook: The offense has the look of Nevada’s pistol — quarterback in the shotgun, running back directly behind the QB — but the calls are from triple-option playbooks. That means dives, belly options with Holbrook keeping it or pitching to Carrier, lots of double teams and receivers blocking safeties. Holbrook is smart, gritty (overcoming several ailments) and an unheralded passer. He averages six passes per game, and threw only three times against Texas State last week. Davie said the Lobos might have to test the airwaves against a defense that will pack the tackle box while playing man coverages at the corners. "I do think we’re capable of throwing it," Davie said. "We have thrown it well in practice. Again, in fairness to our players, when you don’t throw it in the game, and you throw it only once or twice, it’s hard to be real good throwing it. I think we’ll throw the football more." Then again, the running game is fine with the appropriately named Carrier. "I’ve heard it all — ‘Carrier on the carry,’ ‘He’s a ball Carrier,’ " Carrier said. "They make funny slogans about it. It’s fine with me." Carrier is averaging 6.0 yards per rush. He gained 191 yards last week. Carrier, who styles his game after former Northern Illinois standout Garrett Wolfe’s, relishes the rebuilding project at UNM. He was involved in removing debris when Hurricane Ike ripped through Louisiana and Texas shorelines. "I was raised to help others," Carrier said.

NEW MEXICO DEFENSE

Outlook: In a past coaching life, Davie worked in demolition, the coordinator of Texas A&M’s "Wrecking Crew" defenses. The base was a 3-4 alignment with lots of shifts, loops and blitzes. Greer, who has three sacks, is the disrupter. Harris, the rush linebacker, can align at different points. Raymer, a former walk-on, is the choreographer. Bollema is the leader. Bollema had 14 tackles against Texas Tech, and forced a fumble and intercepted a pass against Texas State. Bollema has made an easy transition to the new scheme and terminology. He also does not mind the more intense practices. Bollema is used to hard work, having grown up on a dairy farm in Artesia, N.M. "I’ve been working with dairy since I was 7 years old," he said. His days began at 5 a.m. by feeding calves and then milking cows. After that, it was driving tractors and working with the bigger cows on the corral. "Trying to tackle cattle is a little tougher than trying to tackle (a ballcarrier)," Bollema said.

NEW MEXICO SPECIALISTS

Outlook: In his brief time at UNM, Clayton has played defensive back, fullback and running back. His best position is kickoff returner, where he is second nationally with a 36.2-yard average. Clayton’s first kick return went 98 yards for a touchdown. He had another 98-yard return for a touchdown against Texas Tech. Adams, who joined in 2011 as a kickoff specialist, is now the placekicker. He missed his first field-goal attempt this year, but then hit his next three and also is perfect on 22 point-after tries.

HAWAII OFFENSE

Outlook: When Schroeder has time, he is effective in the pro-set offense. Against San Diego State last week, Schroeder was 3-for-8 when he was hit, but 11-for-20, including two wide-open drops and an intentional throwaway, when he was untouched. He also has shown he can make the tough throw. On one play, left-handed Schroeder rolled to his left and threw across to the right sideline. There will be some shifts in the rotation. Moleni and Ryan Clark will split time as the on-line tight end. Harding is the third receiver in three-receiver sets. When a second tight end is needed, Clark Evans will get a shot. Also, Darius Bright and Chinedu Amadi will get work as receivers. Joey Iosefa will miss his fourth consecutive game because of a foot fracture. Gregory is the speed back who has emerged as a heavy-load runner. He had 22 carries against SDSU, when his yards-after-contact average was 3.64. On a trap play to the left, he was struck by a rush end on his right side, broke free, was struck by a linebacker on his left side, broke free again, and tumbled for extra yardage. On another, he vaulted a safety trying to make a cut tackle.

HAWAII DEFENSE

Outlook: Unfortunately for the Warriors, there’s no vaccination for the injury bug. Matagiese, who missed the past game because of a neck stinger and slight concussion, has been cleared to play. But Jordan Pu’u-Robinson, a defensive end who started in place of Matagiese last week, is out for at least two weeks following finger surgery. If Matagiese needs a break, then Yap can slide to tackle and Tavita Woodard will enter as a D-end. Or vice versa. Art Laurel is not expected to play because of a sprained ACL. Van Ackeren is the replacement, giving the Warriors a trio of freshman linebackers. (Lance Williams, a grayshirt freshman, also is in the rotation.) The coaches are pleased with Fonua’s heat-seeking instincts. He usually comes out when the Warriors go to pass-defense packages. Grimes was demoted after struggling in the opener against USC. But he has rebounded in his cameo appearances and practices to regain a starting job. Clay, who is one of the best open-field tacklers, is expected to start in place of injured Leroy Lutu Jr.

HAWAII SPECIALISTS

Outlook: Edwards is 12th nationally in kickoff-return average at 29.95 yards. Of concern is he’s second in attempts with 21. (UH leads the country with 29 kickoff returns.) The easiest way to lessen the workload is to allow fewer scores. UH’s other option is enabling Chris Gant to spell Edwards on some returns. Dunnachie is averaging 46.1 yards per punt, which would be eighth nationally if he had attempted three more punts. He was suspended for UH’s first three games, and will be punting for the first time at Aloha Stadium this season.