AIR FORCE OFFENSE (EDGE)

This isn’t your father’s Air Force. The Falcons have added elements, including a passing threat, to the triple-option offense. Karson Roberts, who started the past four games in place of injured Nate Romine, is a so-so passer (52.7 percent accuracy), but that’s a good enough change-up for an offense that runs 85 percent of the time, Wideout Jalen Robinette averages 25.8 yards per catch, and 89 percent of his receptions resulted in first downs. He also is 2-for-2 with two TDs as an option passer. Roberts was on the junior varsity as a freshman in 2012, played 10 games in 2013, and was used sparingly last year and early this year until Romine was injured. In the triple option, which resembles an inverted wishbone in the base alignment, Roberts can feed the fullback on the dive, keep it on a mid-line option or sprint to the perimeter, or pitch to a wingback. On most plays, pitch back Jacobi Owens is ushered by another pulling or lead back to the edge. But Owens, who often sets up to the side of Roberts, is a jump-cut runner who can attack the middle when the defense over-shifts. Owens, who filled in at fullback last week, averages 5.93 yards per first-down rush. 

AIR FORCE DEFENSE (EDGE)

The Falcons have an enigmatic defense. They have allowed an average of 4.78 yards per first-down rush, but only 1.21 on third down. Of the 24 rushes of 10-plus yards, two were on third down. The Falcons are holding opponents to 54 percent passing while intercepting seven throws. But opponents are converting on 50 percent of third-down passes, including 46.4 percent on third and at least 10. The Falcons’ base is a three-man front. Lochlin Deeks, who often has two-gap responsibilities, can play across the center or in the A gap. Hansen, who creates chaos from the edge, has eight backfield tackles and four sacks. Outside linebackers Dexter Walker and Ryan Watson can sneak to the line as stand-up rush ends. The Falcons’ all-junior secondary can align in zone-high coverages of two, three or four defenders. The most versatile is strong safety Weston Steelhammer, who ranges from 15 yards off the ball to the tackle box. Steelhammer has a team-high 47 tackles, including 7.5 behind the line of scrimmage. There is a possibility linebacker Connor Healy, who suffered a sprained MCL four weeks ago, might be available to play.  

AIR FORCE SPECIAL TEAMS (EDGE)

The Falcons have rotated three players for kickoffs, with similar effectiveness. Of the 41 kickoffs, 33 resulted in touchbacks. (They also were unsuccessful on an onside kick.) Opponents have returned only seven kickoffs for an average of 15.6 yards. Five teams had one return apiece; San Jose State did not attempt a return. The long-distance kicking has not translated to point-scoring opportunities. The Falcons have converted four field-goal attempts, with two in the past three weeks. Defensive end Alex Hansen has blocked two kicks this season.   

HAWAII OFFENSE

Dejon Allen and Leo Koloamatangi, who has positioned as a sixth offensive lineman, were the Rainbow Warriors’ best blockers the past couple of weeks. On Devan Stubblefield’s screen-play TD last week, Allen re-routed a defensive lineman, then sprinted 12 yards to flatten a would-be tackler. Koloamatangi has aligned in the backfield, slot and extra tackle, and has served as a lead blocker and edge sealer. The Warriors have toyed with several combinations, even experimenting with Ben Clarke moving from left tackle to center, where he was the team’s MVP in 2012. The lineup will be a game-time decision and, even, in-game adjustment. In the first five games, 10.6 percent of the passes were aimed at tight ends; that figure has jumped to 15.4 percent since Dakota Torres started three games ago. The check-down option has opened the way for Stubblefield, who has caught 70 percent of the passes thrown his way the past two games after struggling with his concentration, and slotback Dylan Collie, who has added a go-freeze-go move to his post-catch routine. Running backs Paul Harris and Steven Lakalaka have no drops or lost fumbles in 159 touches this season. 

HAWAII DEFENSE

On Tuesday, the Rainbow Warriors practiced against a scout offense that did not use a football. On Wednesday, the scout backs wore yellow jerseys without numbers. The lesson: When defending the triple-option offense, play the area, not the football or the player. "It’s assignment football," defensive coordinator Tom Mason said. "You tackle the dive, you tackle the quarterback, you tackle the pitch. And you have to tackle (them) for 80 plays." The defensive scheme can become tedious, like a trucker’s long route. "Then all of a sudden, one of the (defenders) decides he’s going to tackle the quarterback when he’s got the dive," Mason said, "and the dive goes 40 yards up the middle of your defense. Everybody’s got an assignment, You’ve got to do it over and over and over." Against New Mexico’s triple option, the Warriors countered with a "cinco" scheme of five linebackers. Safety Marrell Jackson’s availability is iffy, but Dany Mulanga has filled the role of rover-safety. Corners Ne’Quan Phillips and Nick Nelson have the dual chores of avoiding low-blocking receivers and assisting in run coverage.  

HAWAII SPECIAL TEAMS

Through the first six games, one of the Rainbow Warriors’ best weapons was the long kickoffs. But there have been two significant breakdowns the past couple of weeks. New Mexico answered UH’s opening scoring drive when Carlos Wiggins raced 100 yards for a touchdown. Last week, after UH built a 17-0 lead, a Nevada returner went 46 yards to spark a scoring drive — and Wolf Pack comeback. The Warriors spent extra time working on kickoff coverages this past week. The Warriors also have looked into boosting their own returns. Devan Stubblefield, who excelled in that area at Saint Louis School, split kick-return reps with Keelan Ewaliko. 

ENLARGE CHART