SAN JOSE STATE OFFENSE (EDGE)

Running back Tyler Ervin was born to run. "I was one of those kids who would never sit down," Ervin said. "I had a lot of energy. My parents always had to tell me to ‘calm down’ or ‘sit down.’ I was one of those kids who would not stop moving." Ervin still is on the move. On draws, powers, counters or inside zones, Ervin is eighth nationally in rushing yards (1,303) and 10th in yards per game (130.3). In 233 carries, he has rushed for negative yards 15 times and lost two fumbles. He averages 5.6 yards per carry, including 4.69 on first down. He is the only FBS rusher with a 300-yard game this season. "When you get into that zone, it’s an incredible feeling," said Ervin, who credits his blockers — including motion tight end Billy Freeman and 238-pound fullback Shane Smith — and his need for speed. In high school, Ervin ran a mile to track practice, participated in drills, rested, then ran a mile to his house. "To get faster, you have to run, no matter the shape or form," Ervin said. "The amount of time you put into running will benefit in the outcome." When he was 16, Ervin, in a moment of great pride and sorrow, out-raced his father, Tyrone, a former college sprinter. "I always looked up to him," Ervin said. "He’s the most resilient, hard-working man I know."

SAN JOSE STATE DEFENSE (EDGE)

Growing up, linebacker Christian Tago and "Wilson" were inseparable. "My parents introduced me to football," Tago said, "and I used to sleep with a football every night in my hands. Ever since then, football has been part of my life." Tago is the heart of the Spartans’ 4-3 defense, often aligning 7 yards off the line of scrimmage to analyze, then attack the gaps. "I’m not one of those players who tries to go hard three plays and take one off," Tago said. "I try to go hard every play. I’ll go a full game as hard as I can." With his long hair and longer strides, Tago appears to be a natural middle. The thing is, Tago was a quarterback through high school. UC Davis and Cal Poly offered scholarships to play that position. SJSU, his only FBS recruiter, promised a shot to play quarterback. That opportunity lasted a few days in training camp before Tago was assigned to defense. "I played a little defense in high school," Tago said. "It wasn’t any technique stuff. It was: ‘Go out there and tackle the guy with the ball.’" Tago accepted the challenge, using his redshirt year in 2012 to gain strength and knowledge. Tago, who was 210 pounds as a true freshman, is now 237. Tago said he used to look to All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis as a source of inspiration. "He was unbelievable in leading his team through the ups and downs," Tago said. "That’s something I try to emulate with the team out there. No matter what happens in a game, I’m there for my guys."

SAN JOSE STATE TEAMS (EDGE)

Now that cost-of-attendance has been addressed, perhaps cost-of-participation should be on the next NCAA agenda. "No extra perks for playing more than one position," mused running back Tyler Ervin, who averages 24.7 yards per kickoff return and also handles punt returns, although the Spartans have run back only four of 46 punts. Ervin doesn’t mind the workload. "I love football because of the constant challenges it brings," he said. Michael Carrizosa is averaging 48.5 yards per punt, although opposing punt returners are rebating an average 10.2 yards on 12 returns.

HAWAII OFFENSE

In the first nine games, Don Bailey was the head writer of a five-man group that crafted the game plan, although he called all the plays. Since Norm Chow’s firing on Nov. 1, Bailey has full autonomy of the offense, as well as the added responsibility of coaching the running backs. As a result the offense is gaining more yards (averaging 407.5 the past two games after 371.2 the first nine), especially on the ground (191.5 the past two games after 86.1). Paul Harris, who has healed from two sprained ankles, has averaged 158 rushing yards the past two weeks. Bailey has cleared the running lanes with wide formations, isolations (three receivers to one side, none to the other), motioning a tight end as an edge blocker or jet-sweeping wideout Isaiah Bernard to the right while Harris goes left. After adding spin moves to his jump cuts the past two games, Harris is averaging 5.44 yards after contact and 0.84 broken tackles per rush. Quarterback Ikaika Woolsey will make his third consecutive start — and fourth this year — but without an experienced safety net. Max Wittek was scheduled to undergo surgery on Friday. Backup QB Beau Reilly has not taken a snap in two UH seasons. Woolsey is a threat on the read option, although he needs better support. The Rainbow Warriors have dropped 16 passes the past two games. Makoa Camanse-Stevens will start at slotback, and wideout Marcus Kemp (105 receiving yards in two quarters against Fresno State) has been productive as a reserve.

HAWAII DEFENSE

Middle linebacker Julian Gener has a day-after-game routine: Sleep an extra hour, watch a replay of the game, "limp around the house," and, maybe, attend church. Oh, and one other thing. "Pain," Gener said of the after-effects from a busy game. "There’s a lot of pain on Sundays." Gener’s first two UH seasons were abbreviated because of injuries. He’s healthy, sort of, as the Rainbow Warriors’ second-leading tackler (83 in eight games, including 11.5 backfield stops). Gener said he had to fight weekly for playing time at Mount San Antonio Community College. At 5-11 — "on the dot, don’t take that away from me" — Gener recalled being told by UH coaches: "You’re not the tallest, you’re not the strongest, you’re not the fastest. But you make plays and you go to the ball." Of Gener’s 70 run tackles, rushers are averaging 2.6 yards. He has made eight third-down stops to thwart drives and two fourth-down tackles. His hunger was fueled as the middle of seven children. "I was always getting hand-me-downs," Gener said. "I was always fighting for food. If I wanted something, I had to go out and get it. I had to wrestle my brothers." Interim head coach Chris Naeole noticed, saying, "He brings the passion, the energy. He never quits. He battles, man. That’s the kind of guy I want to suit up with and play alongside at the end of the day."

HAWAII TEAMS

The Rainbow Warriors suffered a 1-2 knockout punch last week when cornerback/punt returner Nick Nelson was ejected for targeting and kickoff returner Keeelan Ewaliko suffered a season-ending knee injury. Nelson served his time — he’s eligible to play today — and learned a lesson. "I didn’t know if you used your hands to hit (the quarterback) it’s an ejection," Nelson said. "I thought it was helmet-to-helmet. I’ve got to be smarter and make smarter decisions." Nelson has developed into a reliable punt returner, averaging 8.1 yards. Ewaliko’s injury opens the way for Pereese Joas, who is averaging 24.4 yards per kickoff return.

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