Corey Paredes left behind some impressive numbers when he completed his career as a Hawaii linebacker.

When he left, Art Laurel was eager to fill the one he’d worn for those four years.

Laurel had worn No. 41 as a two-sport standout Leilehua High School, but that uniform already belonged to Paredes when he joined the Warriors. So after Paredes finished up his senior season, Laurel traded in his 57 to claim his old number.

"I had it all of high school, basketball and football," Laurel said. "So I took pride in my number."

This season, the coaches have called Laurel’s number to fill various roles for the Warriors’ defense.

Laurel entered the season as the lone returning starter to a linebacker unit replacing Paredes, the Warriors’ top tackler the last two years, and Aaron Brown.

He’s been one of the constants in the Warriors’ various personnel groupings with an ability to line up on the defensive front as a rush end or drop back into pass coverage.

"He’s a very intelligent player and we’re kind of using that to our advantage," UH defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer said. "He’s the type that wherever we’ve needed him, he’s come right in and been productive. We’re excited about that, if we can keep him healthy it’ll be even better. He gives us an extra element where we can move him around and maximize his abilities."

It’ll be Kaumeyer’s task to decide how best to deploy Laurel and the Warrior defense when UH (1-1) faces Nevada (2-1) at Aloha Stadium on Saturday to open the Mountain West Conference schedule.

The UH defense has been stingy against the run through two games, allowing an average of 62.5 yards on the ground, and will be tested by Nevada’s pistol attack. Nevada enters the game ninth in the FBS in total offense, averaging a league-best 551.3 yards per game, and ranks seventh nationally in rushing offense at 305.3 ypg.

"It’s going to be a big challenge, but it’s going to be exciting for all of us," Laurel said.

Said Kaumeyer: "Obviously their run game is superior to what we’ve seen so far. They’ve got a nice balanced attack, and I think that’s why they’ve been putting up 30, 40 points on people, because they can run the ball and whenever you try to hunker down for the run they’re throwing it."

Sophomore quarterback Cody Fajardo has effectively operated the option phase of the offense, averaging 116.3 rushing yards while running back Stefphon Jefferson is second in the nation with 176.3 yards per game. Fajardo’s deception in the backfield puts a premium on sticking to assignments while tracking the ball.

"(Laurel) has the ability to decipher when that guy gives it away and when he takes it," Kaumeyer said.

A strongside linebacker in UH’s 4-3 base package, Laurel demonstrated his play-making potential last year in his first season as a starter. He clinched a season-opening win over Colorado with an interception and went on to lead the Warriors with 14 1⁄2 tackles for loss, including a team-high nine sacks.

Through two games this season, he’s been credited with 2 1⁄2 stops behind the line of scrimmage.

"I like having those different responsibilities," Laurel said. "I’m off the line sometimes, or I’ll be on the line rushing or covering in man. … It’s pretty exciting for me."

Laurel’s first exposure to playing against the Pistol came last year when he recorded six tackles and forced a fumble in UH’s 42-28 loss in Reno. While the system devised by head coach Chris Ault remains in place, Kaumeyer expects some subtle variations in its execution with former UH offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich joining a revamped Wolf Pack staff.

"There’s a new coordinator, a new offensive line coach, new running back coach, so they’re doing things a little bit differently," Kaumeyer said. "I watched the Hawaii game last year, their blocking schemes are a tad bit different.

"So we’ve got to be able to be smart, know who we have and what we’re doing because you make those assignment errors and they have a running back that can take it to the house."