The Rebels have faced their share of passing offenses in their own conference, but it remains to be seen if they will stick with their base 3-4 defense or go to the nickel — adding a fifth defensive back — to defend the quick-release passing of Tim Chang.

The Rebels' offense might be without running back Larry Croom (thigh), but backup Dominique Dorsey is no slouch.

With some 10,000 fans anticipated to be cheering for UH in the 36,800-seat Sam Boyd Stadium, the Rebels' home-field advantage might be negated.

UNLV OFFENSE

Pos. No. Name, Ht., Wt., Cl.
WR 8 Michael Johnson, 5-10, 190, Sr.
WR 4 Earvin Johnson, 6-3, 200, Jr.
or 84 David Relf, 6-1, 190, Sr.
LT 71 Matt Williams, 6-6, 300, Sr.
LG 76 Marcus Johnson, 6-1, 300, Jr.
C 73 Dominic Furio, 6-3, 295, Sr.
RG 56 Joe Critchfield, 6-4, 315, Jr.
RT 68 Zach Gorham, 6-5, 310, So.
or 78 Tyler Crandal, 6-7, 285, Jr.
TE 94 Ryan Clifford, 6-2, 250, Sr.
QB 7 Kurt Nantkes, 6-4, 225, Jr.
RB 1 Larry Croom, 5-10, 205, Sr.
or 10 Dominique Dorsey, 5-7, 160, Jr.
FB 5 Dyante Perkins, 6-0 235, Jr.

OUTLOOK: The Rebels' top running back, Larry Croom, is questionable because of a right thigh injury suffered in a 46-24 loss at Kansas, a game in which he rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Croom missed the Wisconsin game. But there is not much fall off from backup Dominique Dorsey, who rushed for 100 yards on 26 carries in the upset of the Badgers. Quarterback Kurt Nantkes, a former Oakland Athletics pitcher at Single-A in 1999, is a first-year starter after backing up Jason Thomas the past two seasons. The offensive line has yet to allow a sack this season.

UNLV DEFENSE

Pos. No. Name, Ht., Wt., Cl.
DE 47 Chris Eagan, 6-4, 270, Sr.
T 66 Howie Fuimaono, 6-0, 320, Fr.
DE 91 Dietrich Canterberry, 6-4, 310, Sr.
or 92 Brian Nicholson, 6-5, 275, Jr.
OLB 32 Reggie Butler, 6-0, 220, Jr.
ILB 46 Zach Bell, 6-2, 230, Jr.
ILB 55 Adam Seward, 6-2, 250, Jr.
OLB 52 John Andrews, 6-0, 210, Jr.
CB 3 Ruschard Dodd-Masters, 6-0, 180, Jr.
SS 27 Jamaal Brimmer, 6-1, 210, Jr.
FS 45 Joe Miklos, 6-2, 205, So.
CB 28 Will Tagoai, 6-3, 205, Jr.

OUTLOOK: The Rebels, who align in a 3-4, are led by MWC Defensive Player of the Year Jamaal Brimmer, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound safety who is second on the team with 23 tackles, including a team-leading five tackles for losses. He also has two interceptions, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Another go-getter is inside linebacker Adam Seward, the team leader with 25 tackles. UH coach June Jones doesn't know if the Rebels will blitz Brimmer. "But it's very possible they could move (Brimmer) into a nickel-type look and then he could blitz a lot," Jones said.

HAWAI'I OFFENSE Pos. No. Name, Ht., Wt., Cl.
WR 84 Britton Komine, 5-10, 187, Jr.
SB 2 Chad Owens, 5-9, 174, Jr.
LT 74 Jeremy Infererra, 6-2, 281, Fr.
LG 64 Samson Satele, 6-3, 289, Fr.
C 59 Derek Faavi, 6-1, 277, So.
RG 69 Uriah Moenoa, 6-2, 345, Jr.
RT 66 Brandon Eaton, 6-3, 287, So.
SB 38 Gerald Welch, 5-8, 205, Jr.
WR 19 Jeremiah Cockheran, 6-0, 190, Sr.
QB 14 Tim Chang, 6-2, 194, Jr.
RB 16 West Keliikipi, 6-1, 266, Jr.

OUTLOOK: The Rebels' defense, although it limited Wisconsin to 52 yards on one field goal last week, is not USC's. The Warriors should be able to keep the Rebels honest with the emergence of 6-foot-1, 266-pound running back West Keliikipi, who also showed the ability to catch the ball in the USC game. Despite a phantom fumble at USC, receiver Gerald Welch also is coming into his own after a brilliant career at Saint Louis. The Warriors have to neutralize strong safety Jamaal Brimmer, who is capable of dominating as he did against Wisconsin.

HAWAI'I DEFENSE

Pos. No. Name, Ht., Wt., Cl.
LE 93 Houston Ala, 5-11, 260, Sr.
LT 97 Isaac Sopoaga, 6-3, 336, Sr.
RT 92 Lance Samuseva, 6-0, 309, Sr.
RE 11 Kevin Jackson, 6-4, 245, Sr.
OLB 46 Keani Alapa, 6-1,229, Sr.
MLB 56 Chad Kalilimoku, 5-11, 240, Sr.
OLB 51 Ikaika Curnan, 5-11, 218, So.
LCB 37 Abraham Elimimian, 5-10, 173, Jr.
SS 33 Hyrum Peters, 5-8, 188, Sr.
FS 42 Leonard Peters, 6-1, 174, So.
RCB 3 Kelvin Millhouse, 6-1, 205, Sr.

OUTLOOK: The Warriors worked on their tackling technique, which hurt them against the Trojans. The Rebels have been fairly balanced, as far as rushing (488 yards) and passing (578). Free safety Leonard Peters hurt his shoulder in the USC game, but said he will play today's game. The Warriors would like to spoil the Rebels' consecutive games streak of four without allowing a sack dating to last season.