Kickoff is 3:05 p.m. HST. The game will be televised on ESPN2. Some 10,000 fans who either traveled from Hawai'i or transplants of Nevada and California are expected to attend.

The Warriors are trying to rebound from a 61-32 loss against USC last Saturday or face the possibility of returning home 1-2 for next week's Western Athletic Conference opener against Rice.

"It's a must-win situation for us," slotback Chad Owens said. "Everybody knows that."

"We don't want to go home 1-2 on our record, so it's important to go and get this one and play hard," quarterback Tim Chang said.

The Rebels (2-1), picked to finish sixth in the eight-team Mountain West Conference, are coming off a stunning, 23-5 win against then-No. 14 Wisconsin. The week before, the Rebels were waxed by Kansas, 46-24, so there is no looking past UH.

"We're really up," said UNLV strong safety Jamaal Brimmer, chosen the national defensive player of the week for his play against Wisconsin. "You can say that about Kansas. We felt we were up. We were up for that game, so we're not even thinking about not being up for this game because we already beat a good team."

Hawai'i opted to train at Chaffey College in the quiet suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., instead of fighting the distractions of the brightly lit city of Las Vegas. Also by staying on the Mainland, the Warriors at least have their body clocks adjusted to Pacific Time.

"I like it," Owens said of staying on the Mainland between games. "The flight really takes you out."

UH coach June Jones said he was pleased with the workouts this past week. Safety Leonard Peters said the defense worked on its tackling technique. Against USC, the Warriors could not wrap up the ball carriers after their initial hits. Despite the lopsided loss, Chang said the team's morale has been good.

"The camaraderie has been the same," Chang said. "They're a great bunch of guys. The team's in high spirits. It was an unfortunate game, but we'll move on."

UNLV coach John Robinson is anticipating a long night because of UH's pass-dominated offense. He called it "one of the most potent offenses in football."

"They went to the Coliseum last week, but didn't play up to their capabilities," said Robinson, a former USC head coach. "They might have been trying too hard, it was too big a game for them. But we're looking at a team that has as much ability to just flat out score against anybody as there is. It's going to be one of those 4-hour games and go down to the wire."

Although the Rebels are acquainted with passing teams from the MWC, Brimmer is well aware of UH's abilities.

"We have to be smart when they pass the ball," Brimmer said. "Hopefully, we can slow down the passing game, minimize letting them put points on the board and get on top of them early. There are a lot of goals that we have, as far as the team. But they can score so fast.

"It really challenges you, as far as your week of practice, covering your person and trying to eliminate what they like to do."