HAWAII OFFENSE (EDGE)

To trace the genealogy of the Rainbow Warriors’ 344-yard rushing outburst last week, dust off the VCR and pop in the VHS of the 2006 Jacksonville Jaguars, who were third in the NFL in rushing that year. The Jags relied on power sets featuring back-side blocking and double-moving guards to open the way for Fred Taylor (1,146 yards) and rookie Maurice Jones-Drew (5.67 yards per carry). The guards were ex-Warrior Vince Manuwai and Chris Naeole, who now coaches UH’s O-line. Influences of that power game were displayed last week with pulls by guards John Wa‘a and Leo Koloamatangi; cross blocks by tight end Metuisela ‘Unga, and lead blocks by H-back Kaiwi Chung. In his fourth UH year, Wa‘a has developed into a mobile and aggressive guard. “We have (sessions) where we just practice our pulling and kicking out,” Wa‘a said. Naeole has offered tough-like guidance. “He’s listening to what I tell him,” Naeole said, smiling. “I played the position. I know what he has to do to play the position.” ‘Unga has scored a touchdown on each of his three receptions this season, but it is his blocking that has been impressive. “I felt I was a receiver first,” he said of his freshman season in 2014. “Coach Naeole reminded me tight ends block, too. That’s when the physicalness kicked in. Basically, you’re either going to be a soft tight end or a hard tight end.” Chung fooled Nevada’s defense when he took a handoff to score from a yard out. It was his first TD — and carry — in organized football.

HAWAII DEFENSE (EDGE)

Three days before the Nevada game, the defensive players watched video cut-ups of their attacking and joyful play during an August intrasquad scrimmage. Re-energized by that flashback, the Rainbow Warriors harassed the Wolf Pack for all but two fourth-quarter drives. The Warriors, who had missed 65 potential tackles in the first four games, had 10 misses last week, including just two in the second half. But except for a long first-possession run, the Warriors were a swarming defense. “When you have success,” defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said, “that breeds success. You want to continue to do well.” Defensive end Meffy Koloamatangi recovered from ailments to play well against Nevada. He has made the transition from rush end to a complete defensive lineman who also can loop into the middle to hold the point. Trayvon Henderson is a safety who can play in the box or blitz from the corner. While safety Dejaun Butler provided quickness in his first UH start last week, Damien Packer and Keala Santiago might earn extended reps against San Jose State’s power-running game.

HAWAII SPECIAL TEAMS (EDGE)

Each practice, the JUGS machine is cranked to “high” to launch footballs about 50 feet in the air. Each day, punt returner John Ursua throws a football as high as he can and then tries to catch it. “It takes a lot of practice,” Ursua said of fielding towering punts unlike those he saw in high school. This is Ursua’s first season since 2011 after spending a year working, two years on a church mission in Paris, and last year redshirting. He has fielded two punts this season — one was a fair catch, the other returned for no gain. He tried to field a couple of punts off the bounce, but now will fair-catch them if the coverage is too tight.

SAN JOSE STATE OFFENSE

Kenny Potter leads the Mountain West in pass efficiency (115.2 rating), tight end Billy Freeman has 103 career receptions, and receivers Justin Holmes (22.8 yards per catch), Tre Hartley (19.1 yards) and Tim Crawley (16 catches) are depriving UH coaches of REM sleep. But the Spartans’ passing game, like their pre-snap motions and shifts, are diversions. A power-running attack fuels the Spartans. The three interior linemen — center Keoni Taylor and guards Jeremiah Kolone and Chris Gonzalez — are tough, mobile and relentless second-tier blockers. Troy Kowalski is the first Spartans freshman to start at left tackle since 2007. Shane Smith, a 244-pound bruiser, usually aligns in the slot then motions to either the other side as an H-back or into the backfield as a fullback. Smith can back-squat 585 pounds, power clean 315 pounds, and vertical jump out of a pool. With freshman Zamore Zigler, who averages 6.2 yards a carry and converts 70 percent on third-down rushes, ruled out with a leg injury, Deontae Cooper becomes the featured back. Cooper, a seventh-year senior, missed three seasons at Washington because of three ACL injuries. He transferred this summer after six years with the Huskies. Potter, who is the Spartans’ leading returning rusher, averages 5.7 yards on non-sack scrambles and keepers. But he might be slowed because of knee and ankle ailments.

SAN JOSE STATE DEFENSE

Inside linebacker Christian Tago believes being on time is being late. Tago earned a bachelor’s degree in seven semesters, shows up five minutes early for interviews, and tries to hit ballcarriers before a play ripens. Timing is key for the Spartans, who often align in a bear front (with two stand-up ends) and man coverages. It is a one-gap system that requires “all 11 of us to work together,” Tago said. “We can’t have someone lose his gap or mis-hit.” This season, the Spartans have allowed an average 5.8 yards on first-down runs and yielded 38 rushes of 10-plus yards. Coach Ron Caragher has implored his defense to “eliminate mistakes and stay true to fundamentals of open-field tackling and being able to execute properly.” Caragher also wants to take advantage of turnovers. The Spartans have parlayed nine takeaways into 24 points. In contrast, opponents have scored 64 points, including two interception returns for touchdowns, on 10 takeaways. It is hoped a healthier Tago will lead the way. Tago, who recovered from a meniscus injury, was restricted to 35 plays against Iowa State two weeks ago. He played all 72 defensive snaps against New Mexico last week.

SAN JOSE STATE SPECIAL TEAMS

The Spartans have had uneven production this season. Bryce Crawford has connected on four of five field-goal attempts (none longer than 36 yards), but a PAT was blocked. Michael Carrizosa has averaged 47.2 yards per punt, with 11 of 29 exceeding 50 yards. But four have been returned at least 25 yards, with opposing punt returners averaging 15.2 yards. One of his punts was blocked. Carrizosa has placed 20 of 27 kickoffs into the end zone, but also had three that did not travel more than 36 yards.