NEVADA OFFENSE (EDGE)

Fajardo, who is regarded as the league’s best offensive player, is one of eight FBS players to lead his team in rushing (452 yards) and passing (1,686 yards). While Nevada was granted birth rights to the pistol offense, the playbook now includes run-and-shoot concepts. Nevada often sends Jackson or running back James Butler on dives, a ruse to see which defender is the spy assigned to Fajardo. Like a pitcher who uses the same motion for fastballs and change-ups, Fajardo runs at the same speed on keepers and half-roll pass plays. He reportedly completed a pro-agility course in 3.99 seconds. Fajardo averages 6.99 yards on non-sack scrambles and keepers. On third-and-short, Fajardo is 100 percent at converting first downs on sneaks. He is skilled on misdirections — faking a handoff to the right while sprinting left — and Nevada’s version of the mid-line option. He also gets better as the game progresses, from 4.11 yards per carry in the first quarter to 6.43 yards in the fourth. Against FBS opponents, Nevada leads the nation in fourth-quarter scoring, averaging 14.0 points. Fajardo’s primary targets are tall (Henderson), quick (Richardson) and sure-handed (Turner).

HAWAII OFFENSE

The Rainbow Warriors’ greatest opponent can be found in the mirror. This season, they have sabotaged drives by committing nine penalties on first down and 10 in opponents’ territory, including four in the red zone. Two holding penalties were declined. That makes it difficult for Woolsey, who is completing 17.2 percent of air passes of at least 20 yards. Against San Diego State last week, the Warriors switched the strategy, going with a more deliberate pace and relying on power plays. They ran seven-blocker sets, with a tight end and H-back. Tight end Tui Unga emerged as a punishing blocker, and Jordan Pu’u-Robinson rotated between tight end and fullback. Pu’u-Robinson was a check-down option, catching the three passes thrown in his direction. Lakalaka, fully recovered from concussion-like symptoms suffered two weeks ago, is durable and agile, escaping would-be tacklers with jump cuts. Since becoming the starter, Lakalaka has a post-contact average of 3.8 yards. That’s better than Joey Iosefa’s 2.67 yards-after-contact average before suffering an ankle injury. Diocemy Saint Juste deserves more work. In the past two games, his YAC is 5.0.

NEVADA DEFENSE (EDGE)

Hekking’s style is modeled athletically and follically after former All-America linebacker Brian Bosworth. Hekking, who sports a platinum-blond mullet, has an achy-breaky impact on offenses. This season, he has four sacks and six tackles for losses, boosting his totals to 21 and 35 in three years. While Hekking, who attracts double blocks, is compared to the Boz, Seau is drawing aahs, amassing five sacks. Lenny Jones gives Nevada a capable third end. Yates, who plays the 3-technique, is an interior pass-rusher. Nevada’s base is a 4-3, but it can give the look of a 4-5-2 when the corners join the linebackers 5 yards off the line of scrimmage. There are times when Favors will move toward the outer edge of the tackle box as a rover. The safeties usually are in a two-deep zone, although Workman and Halkins are skilled blitzers. Garrett, who has seven breakups, is considered the Pack’s best cover defender.

HAWAII DEFENSE

The longest walk, it seems, is from the postgame locker room to the stadium parking lot. "That’s a journey," Yap said "You’re walking pretty slow then." Yap and defensive lineman Marcus Malepeai have overcome injuries and aches to play their best football the past two games. "It was all effort," said Yap, who had three fourth-quarter tackles against San Diego State last week. "The adrenaline of the game, the situation of the game, I had to do everything to try to stop them." Of his ailments, Yap said, "It’s only pain. Mind over matter. I can play through it." Of that game, Malepeai received the highest grade of his UH career. He played end, 3-technique and nose. Against FBS opponents this season, the Warriors are ranked seventh nationally in fourth-quarter defense, allowing 2.8 points per game. The return of inside linebacker Tevita Lataimua, who missed the past four games, should boost the run defense. Henderson also is healthy after missing most of the SDSU game.

NEVADA SPECIAL TEAMS

Seldom-used linebackers Alex Bertrando and Trevor Taft are making an impact on coverage units. Each has 11 special teams tackles. Bertrando, who is versatile enough to be listed as a backup right guard for the season opener, has nine tackles on kickoff coverage and two on punts. Taft has six tackles on kickoffs, five on punts. In the past two games, five of Boy’s nine punts were placed inside the 20. Nevada has only seven kickoff returns. Of the opponents’ 36 kickoffs, 27 were touchbacks and two sailed out of bounds.

HAWAII SPECIAL TEAMS (EDGE)

The Warriors are eighth nationally in punt coverage, allowing 2.8 yards per return. But that figure is deceptive. Of the 10 punt returns, three resulted in lost fumbles. Harding has placed 22 punts inside the 20, aided by post-bounce rolls averaging 11.1 yards. The Warriors need to improve on their kickoff coverage. They are ranked 73rd, allowing 21.8 yards per runback. Ewaliko’s 100-yard kickoff return last week was nullified by a holding penalty. That play, in which the middle seam opens, produced three TDs by Mike Edwards in 2012.

ENLARGE CHART