HAWAII OFFENSE

For the sixth consecutive game, the Rainbow Warriors are expected to open with a different lineup. Tight end Dakota Torres and wideouts Isaiah Bernard and Devan Stubblefield took all the first-team reps in practices this week. Bernard is at his third position following stints at slotback and right wideout. Bernard, who joined two weeks into training camp, struggled with his routes and catching in practices last month. But in games, his yards-after-catch average is 7.13, and he has no drops in 20 passes in his direction. Torres was not even on the three-deep chart in training camp. But he worked his way into the rotation with his aggressiveness (he made a back-side block on Paul Harris’ 95-yard run against UC Davis), and his precise check-down routes. "He was a redshirt freshman lying in the weeds," offensive coordinator Don Bailey said. "What he did was prepare himself to get stronger. He’s paid attention. He’s taken mental reps even though he might not be on the field." In what has become a familiar pattern, quarterback Max Wittek did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday, but worked out the past two days and is expected to start. He will wear braces on both knees.

HAWAII DEFENSE

To help the UH defense prepare for the Lobos’ trickery, the scout offense ran several drills without using a football. The intent was to play the scheme and read the keys, and not be fooled by misdirections, fakes and sleight-of-hand manipulations. Like a boxer trying to analyze an opponent in the early rounds, the Rainbow Warriors hope to deliver a counter attack to the triple-option offense. "I’ve coached against options for all my career," defensive coordinator Tom Mason said. "You’re never going to duplicate it (in practices). The thing people have to understand is the first drive, that’s the first time you’ve seen it live and in full speed. Your kids will have to adjust to the speed of it, and then they’ll be fine." The coaches have implored the defenders to proceed cautiously and use their hands to fend off the Lobos’ cut blocks. "You have to play the cut first, and then react from there," Mason said. Strong safety Dany Mulanga and left end Meffy Koloamatangi are set to make their first college starts. Koloamatangi fills in for Luke Shawley, who did not make the trip because of what is termed personal reasons. Shawley, who started all six games, is second among UH D-linemen with 25 tackles.

HAWAII SPECIAL TEAMS (EDGE)

Place-kicker/punter Rigo Sanchez hit the trifecta last week when he was summoned to kick off in place of Mauro Bondi, who was suffering from flu-like symptoms. "I didn’t get much warning," said Sanchez, who drove his three kickoffs into the end zone. Bondi is expected to kick off today, although Sanchez has enough work as a punter and a point-scoring kicker. Sanchez said he keeps in kicking shape thanks to frequent exercising. "I do a lot of stretching all times of the day," he said. He also keeps hydrated. He said he fills a 32-ounce canteen. "I drink about three or four of those a day," Sanchez said.

NEW MEXICO OFFENSE (EDGE)

It’s easy to spot quarterback Lamar Jordan on the UNM campus. "He’s the one carrying a football," tailback Teriyon Gipson said. "You’ll never catch him without a football in his hands." In the triple option, Jordan can keep the football or hand off on a mid-line option, keep it on a sprint to the perimeter, or pitch to a trailing back. The "pitch relationship" requires timing and trust. Gipson and Jordan are roommates, and often they will go outside and play catch at night. The Lobos are not limited to cone or wishbone formations. Sometimes they will align in a three-back I, sometimes they will have double stacks in the slot. Jordan, who averages 7.9 yards per carry, has a pet play in which he will sprint to his left, then throw to Gipson on the right. Gipson is the Flash (4.4 seconds over 40 yards, 6.1 yards per carry) and running back Jhurell Pressley is the self-styled Man of Steel. He was named phonetically after Superman’s father Jor-El. What helps the Lobos is their cut-blocking on the line and downfield. "We have a little dummy we use to practice on," Gipson said. "It’s really position blocking. We like to cut those big guys down."

NEW MEXICO DEFENSE (EDGE)

The 3-4 formation is a starting point rather than a base. By the snap, rush end Donnie White or Maurice Daniels usually is on the line, sometimes in a 3-point stance, and often flanking right end Nick D’Avanzo. Kimmie Carson rotates between edge rusher and inside linebacker. The Lobos also like to bring pressure from the secondary. Cornerback Cranston Jones is a speedy fire-zone blitzer. Then again, each Lobo is a certified blitzer. The Lobos are sixth in the FBS with 51 tackles for losses and seventh nationally with 3.2 sacks per game, earning the nickname, "The Land of Ensackment." The Lobos also have scored 20 defensive points on three touchdowns and a safety. The heart of the defense is middle linebacker Dakota Cox, who usually aligns 3 to 5 yards from the line of scrimmage. Last year, Cox led the Lobos with 116 tackles despite missing the final three games because of a torn ACL. Cox’s role models are Clay Matthews, Luke Kuechly and Brian Cushing. From his father, Tom Cox, USC’s starting center in 1984 and 1985, he follows this: "Do everything 100 percent and never give up. Play whistle to whistle. If you’re not leaving it on the field, you’re not doing what you’re supposed to do."

NEW MEXICO SPECIAL TEAMS

Jason Sanders has a strong but fickle leg. He is 3-for-7 on field-goal attempts, with his longest connection from 32 yards. But he excels on kickoffs, with all but one of his 35 attempts reaching the end zone. Opponents’ average starting drive is the 23 following Sanders’ kickoffs. Punter Zack Rogers, who hit a 42-yard field goal last week, might be handling the point-kicking duties today. This season, the Lobos have achieved first downs on five punt situations — two on fourth-down fakes, and three on muffed punt returns. Opposing punt returners are averaging 3.2 yards.