How they match up

HAWAII OFFENSE

After missing the past seven games — four to an ankle injury, three to a suspension — Iosefa is back in the rotation. Iosefa is a tough runner, effective blocker and deceptive receiver. He also can play wildcat, a position not utilized in his absence. As a runner, Iosefa is considered to be a leaner. "That guy is going to fall 4 yards forward after contact," Afusia said of Iosefa’s post-contact yards. "It’s fun. I’m excited to have him back again." Steven Lakalaka and Diocemy Saint Juste played well in Iosefa’s absence. The Warriors have used two-back sets, with Woolsey flanked by a back and a fullback or tight end. There is a possibility Iosefa and Lakalaka or Saint Juste could be paired in the backfield. Woolsey has expanded his repertoire, with eight of his passes thrown toward a tight end or H-back last week. Woolsey also went deep to Keelan Ewaliko, who has rotated among the four receiver positions. Against Utah State, Ewaliko was stopped at the 1 on the long catch. "I’m kind of bummed it wasn’t a touchdown," said Ewaliko, whose kickoff return for a touchdown was nullified because of a penalty the previous week. "What can you do?" Ewaliko said. "You have to go out and do it again." The Warriors have worked on cutting down penalties. The offense was penalized 10 times last week, including seven false starts.

COLORADO STATE OFFENSE (EDGE)

Mondays are fun days in the Rams’ quarterbacks room. That’s when offensive coordinator (and mad scientist) Dave Baldwin introduces new concoctions. Grayson said: "Every Monday, we have four or five different motions or shifts, and all the quarterbacks will walk in and we’re wondering and asking: ‘Where the hell did he come up with that stuff?’ " One of Baldwin’s creations was a fly sweep off a panoramic formation in which the offensive linemen were at the numbers. On another play, a tight end will be smuggled in the line. But for all the shifts and motions, Baldwin is true to three lead characters. Grayson, in his third year in the system, has matured into CSU’s career passing leader (7,930 yards). This season, he has completed 67 percent of his throws, with 22 TDs against five interceptions. Higgins has lived up to his "Hollywood" nickname, leading the FBS in receiving yards (1,280), receiving yards per game (142.2) and TD catches (13). Higgins, who can run 40 yards in 4.42 seconds, is skilled in masking his intentions by not lifting his hands until the ball is near. Hart, who transferred from Alabama after earning his bachelor’s degree, averages 6.0 yards per carry on draws, stretch plays and mis-direction schemes.

HAWAII DEFENSE

After a strong start, the Warriors’ run defense has encountered a statistical slump. In the first six games, opponents rushed for an average of 125.8 yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry. In the past three games, the averages jumped to 271.0 per game and 5.2 per carry. The trend was noticeable on first down, where opponents averaged 3.0 yards per carry in the first six games and 5.3 per rush in the next three games. Yap has played well in UH’s four MWC games. On plays when Yap makes a tackle, MWC opponents are averaging 1.64 yards. Opponents also have not converted a third down on plays in his direction. Yap has eight third-down tackles for minus-3 yards in MWC games. Julian Gener, who did not make the trip, is close to fully recovered from an ankle injury. He was running sprints during practices this week.

COLORADO STATE DEFENSE(EDGE)

Watching the Rams’ defense should come with a motion-sickness warning. Matthews or Pierre-Louis often align 15 yards off the line of scrimmage, then drop back to give TV viewers the appearance the Rams only have 10 defenders. Elliott, who has recovered from a hip ailment, and Blake prefer to play press coverages. The other defenders do not have a permanent address. Morgan, who makes the defensive calls, can be in the tackle box or 10 yards away. Sometimes James, who has 4.5 sacks, is a rush end. Davis, who averages 10 tackles per game, is used on the perimeter or as a spy on read-option quarterbacks. Davis also has five pass breakups. "We’re a sound defense," Pierre-Louis insisted. "We’re not going to be overly flashy. We’re the type of defense that plays together. Anywhere you go on the defense, somebody is going to make a play." Pierre-Louis said he models his work habits after Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant’s. "I see the dedication he puts into his sport," Pierre-Louis said.

HAWAII SPECIAL TEAMS (EDGE)

Hittner is the accidental long-snapper. He was a kicker in high school, but there was one problem. Canyon High didn’t have a snapper. Hittner gave it a shot, discovered he had a knack for it, and that eventually led to playing that position at Saddleback College. After a year of catching up to UH’s escalator requirements — he had the grades but not enough credits — he joined the Warriors, for good, this past summer. Hittner has adjusted to snapping to Harding, who can roll to either side and punt with either foot. "We have a lot of (punt) formations," Hittner said. He has no bad snaps, and even made a tackle on punt coverage.

COLORADO STATE SPECIAL TEAMS

By improving his hang time and going back to a one-step approach, Hunt is averaging 45.0 yards per punt. But 20 of Hunt’s 34 punts have been returned, for an average of 8.2 yards. Roberts is getting better drive on his kickoffs. Opponents’ average start is at the 24 following Roberts’ kickoffs. Safety Trent Matthews has blocked two kicks. Nu’uvali Fa’apito leads with nine tackles on special teams.