Only four full-squad practices this year? A training base in Henderson, Nev., that is 564 miles from its Albuquerque, N.M., campus?

A defensive innovator (Rocky Long) who retired as San Diego State’s head coach to return to his alma mater as coordinator?

New Mexico is not the typical college football team. And Saturday’s matchup — between the Lobos and Hawaii in a fan-free Aloha Stadium — is not a typical game.

This almost was a season that wasn’t for the Lobos, who were forced to relocate their training and had a game canceled because of the pandemic. The Rainbow Warriors will play their first home game after opening on the road against Fresno State and Wyoming.

NEW MEXICO OFFENSE

Offensive coordinator Derek Warehime goes against a mentor, UH coach Todd Graham, and his attacking defense. As Rice’s head coach in 2006, Graham hired Warehime as a grad assistant. “He’s the one who got me into college coaching,” Warehime said. Whether in four-wide or bunched sets, the offense fits quarterback Tevaka Tuioti’s dual skills. Tuioti is elusive (11.4-yard average on eight scrambles last week) with the arm strength to roll to his left and throw across the field. Last week, Tuioti was 6-for-6 on throws to slot Emmanuel Logan-Greene. Tight end Marcus Williams is a former basketball player who can post up safeties or use his speed (4.56 over 40 yards) to stretch defenses. To ease the pressure, the Lobos also can move the pocket and use running back Bryson Carroll as the hot receiver. Running back Nate Jones’ exit from quarantine should boost a ground game that averaged 1.84 yards per rush in the first half but 5.43 after that.

NEW MEXICO DEFENSE

Long installed about 75% of his 3-3-5 scheme before the pandemic led to the cancellation of spring ball and summer activities. The menu was at about 25% capacity last week, when the first-season Lobos started on the D-line and at three secondary positions. This week’s activation of four DBs should be a balm after the Lobos were burned for scoring throws of 37, 43, 26 and 69 yards against San Jose State. Tavian Combs, a combo linebacker/safety, and middle linebacker Brandon Shook had 10 tackles each last week. “I love it,” Shook said of Long’s schemes. “It’s back to my youth-football days when I can play hard and play free.” The Lobos’ short-term goal is to channel its inner Hulk. “We’re taking the punishment, we’re not giving the punishment out,” Long said.

HAWAII OFFENSE

From the first team meeting, Graham emphasized vaporizing mistakes. But in the first two games, the offense incurred eight penalties, including four false starts and a delay infraction before a drive’s first snap. Four of the penalties were on third down. Quarterback Chevan Cordeiro is seeking to regain his deep touch (16.7% accuracy on passes traveling at least 20 yards from the line of scrimmage). But Cordeiro has been sharp on screens-to-mid-range passes (64%) and on the move (14.4 yards per keeper; 9.4 yards per non-sack scramble). Cordeiro’s quick and leading throws have helped wideout Jared Smart to a 7.8 yards-after-catch average. Melquise Stovall has developed into a multiple threat. He aligns in the slot, as a wideout on jet sweeps, or a back in option schemes. Against Wyoming, with Calvin Turner as the wildcat and Stovall as one of the backs, the Warriors ran two plays for 12 yards out of the wishbone formation.

HAWAII DEFENSE

The judgment on the new multi-look defense remains inconclusive. Last week against Wyoming, the Warriors gave up 281 rushing yards and could not close on 16 tackling opportunities. Stamina erosion was a factor in the thin air against the Cowboys, who had 24 first-quarter snaps and, for the game, amassed 59 carries. But some of the misses actually forced the ball carrier into traffic. Linebacker Darius Muasau, who has 25 tackles in two games, is impactful as a stand-up end, flat-area defender and run blitzer. Often in a two-deep alignment, the Warriors can launch attacks from all points. Cornerback Cortez Davis is precise as a one-arrow blitzer. With no room or time to recalibrate, Davis sprinted 10 yards for a backfield hit that forced a fumble. Khoury Bethley, a hybrid linebacker/safety, has the option of occupying the middle or speed-angling to the ball. Donovan Dalton and Sterlin Ortiz will take turns as the replacement for Eugene Ford, who is out for the season with a lower-leg injury.