TENNESSEE MARTIN OFFENSE

Outlook: Fourteen Skyhawks began their college careers at FBS schools, including quarterbacks Gunnar Holcombe (Marshall) and Troy Cook (Florida State). Head coach Jason Simpson, who moonlights as the play-caller, said both are considered co-starters, although Holcombe played the entire game against Cincinnati, finishing 12 of 26 for 146 yards and a TD. Simpson said he has “stolen stuff from everybody” to create a playbook feature sections on two backs, one back, no backs, two tight ends or one tight end. “One thing we take pride in is having a big enough menu to figure what players we have,” Simpson said. “We’re not one of those teams that says: ‘Hey, this is what we do, try to stop it.’ That’s not our personality. It has to be in the structure of what our players know.” Holcombe and Cooke, who played in three games last year, are drop-back passers with average arm strength. The Skyhawks try to create mismatches with pre-snap shifts and jet sweeps, as well as stack formations in which the back receiver serves as a blocker or check-down receiver. Caylon Weathers is the deep threat; Ben Axline (targeted team-high seven times last week) is the possession receiver. The Skyhawks like to take their time. They averaged 33 minutes, 28 seconds per game last year; last week, they ran a play every 29 seconds.

TENNESSEE MARTIN DEFENSE

Outlook: In 2012, Greg Byrd, who was part of construction crews building defenses at small southern colleges, was hired to implement an attacking scheme. He came up with a 3-3-5 that is structurally similar to the defense used at San Diego State. There is a standard front three — space-eating nose tackle (Keith Jones), stout run-stopper (Anthony Brown) and quick edge rusher (Damani Taylor). The linebackers, hybrid Khalid Hagens and a safety will push forward to create a seven- or eight-man gridlock. “We’re going to put seven, eight guys in the box and try to stop the run and adjust to everything else,” Simpson said. If an offense goes four wide, the Skyhawks will bring the pressure. If an offense max protects, the defense can flex to drop eight into coverage. The key is Hagens, who amassed 15 tackles against Cincinnati. “He sits in there and he has to make plays,” Simpson said. “He’s always going to lead us in tackles.” With FCS teams capped at 63 scholarships to split, the 3-3-5 means “we don’t have to recruit as many defensive linemen,” Simpson said. “I can carry more safeties and linebackers on scholarship.”

TENNESSEE MARTIN SPECIALISTS

Outlook: Mitch Mersman, who was the kickoff specialist last year, had difficulty with his accuracy in this year’s opener, missing field-goal attempts from 37 and 31 yards. Mersman’s two kickoffs averaged 51.5 yards. But the coverage unit held Cincinnati to an average post-kickoff start at the 25.Tae Martin (4.3 over 40 yards) and Eastern Carolina transfer Marquez Grayson (4.45 seconds) are speedy kickoff returners.

HAWAII OFFENSE (EDGE)

Outlook: In an otherwise dismal game against Michigan, the Warriors found success when they spread their offense with a five-wide, no-back attack. The Warriors ran the empty set seven times, completing all five passes for 54 yards, with quarterback Dru Brown gaining an additional 23 yards on a 12-yard draw and 11-yard scramble. They averaged 11 yards per play out of an empty set. The scheme enabled the Warriors to play their two best route-runners, slotbacks John Ursua and Dylan Collie, and freed 6-4 Makoa Camanse-Stevens to post up linebackers and inside corners. Marcus Kemp is having a breakout start since moving to the right side. He is averaging 18.8 yards per reception, including 7.8 post-catch yards. He does not have drop in 17 passes thrown in his direction. Collie, who had five drops in a row during a slump last year, has not mishandled one this year. He has caught 78 percent of the passes in which he was the primary target. The Warriors continue to shuffle the offensive line, with Elijah Tupai getting work at guard. Dejon Allen has played well at left tackle. Although he was penalized twice for holding, he has not allowed a sack in 61 pass plays this season.

HAWAII DEFENSE

Outlook: The Warriors are at near full strength for the first time this season. Outside linebacker Malachi Mageo, who is quick enough to play in coverage and strong enough to align on the edge, returns to the No. 1 defense after missing the Michigan game because of ailments. Jeremiah Pritchard, the surprise of the early season, played well in Mageo’s absence. Kiko Faalologo, who was held out of the first two games because of health issues, has been cleared to play. Faalologo will open at nose tackle, enabling Kory Rasmussen to play the 3-technique. Samiuela Akoteu, Zeno Choi and Ka‘aumoana Gifford provide versatility at the two interior positions. Jerrol Garcia-Williams, who missed the opener for violating team rules and was used sparingly against Michigan, is set to make his first start of the season. While Garcia-Williams is a gifted pass-rusher, playing inside linebacker gives him more room to make plays. Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea is adjusting to end. He had not played with his hand in the dirt until the past spring training. Meffy Kaloamatangi is quietly have a strong year as a perimeter defender.

HAWAII SPECIALISTS

Outlook: Rigo Sanchez has added a fourth skill to his duties on kickoffs, place-kicks and punts. He is tied for the team lead with two special-team tackles, one each on punt and kickoff coverage. Former kicker Tyler Hadden, now a California police officer, had seven tackles during his UH career, including three in 2013. Long-snapper Noah Borden has six tackles in his two years at UH; his brother Kawika Borden, also a long-snapper, had 10 special-team tackles in 2013.