In past meetings, Fresno State has used run-oriented formations with three tight ends and 300-pound guard Dartangon Shack aligned as a fullback. The Bulldogs message is this: Stop us if you can.

"They don't do anything fancy," Warrior defensive tackle Lui Fuga said. "They play old-school football. They'll try to maul you. It'll be like the good ol' days."

On the Bulldogs' running plays, UH defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said, "there's no stretching or pulling or trapping. It's straight-on, what-are-you-gonna-do-about-it football. It's mano a mano, and you'd better be the bigger mano."

Here's a closer look:

HAWAI'I OFFENSE

Outlook: The Warriors admittedly lack the speedy receivers to stretch zone defenses. Each game's goal is to complete at least a third of the passes that travel at least 20 yards from the line of scrimmage. They have met that goal twice this season — against Tulsa (4 of 10) and Nevada (2 of 5) — but are 14 of 73 (19 percent) overall this season, including a combined zip of 14 in the past two games. What's more, the Warriors have dropped 39 passes in eight games, including 10 that should have resulted in touchdowns.

To compensate for so-so speed, the Warriors are trying to lengthen their offense by tweaking their routes and formations. In last week's 34-23 victory over Louisiana Tech, the Warriors flip-flopped the assignments, with the slotbacks running deep routes and the wideouts running slants and post patterns. Not only did Rivers make eight receptions, but his yards-after-catch (YAC) total was 64. He entered with a combined YAC of 82 yards on 33 catches in the first seven games. Rivers, who is becoming Chang's go-to receiver, showed determination after being treated for partial dehydration during the first half against LaTech. In the second half, he extended plays with runs of 13 and 27 yards after catches.

The Warriors are expected to rotate linemen against Fresno State. Center Derek Fa'avi did not make the trip because of a deeply bruised right knee. Moenoa, who missed last week's game because of strained hamstring, moves to center from right guard. Eaton moves from right tackle to right guard, and Inferrera, who received 28 stitches to close a gash on his chin suffered last week, opens at right tackle. The stitches will be removed after the game. Guard Phil Kauffman can play center, and Dane Uperesa is next in line at right tackle. "Me and the second group have to step up and be ready," said Uperesa, whose only career start came in the 2003 season opener. "This game is tough mentally. You have to be ready. Maybe last year I wasn't ready. This year, just the reps I'm taking at the end of the game have given me experience. I'm feeling more and more comfortable."

HAWAI'I DEFENSE

Outlook: The best plans, the Warriors have learned, mean little without the execution. Last week, the Warriors often aligned five on the defensive line and up to eight in the tackle box — the imaginary rectangle near the line of scrimmage — to try to contain LaTech's Ryan Moats, who rushed for 228 yards and two touchdowns. But 81 of those yards came after Moats broke free from 12 would-be tackles. "We can load it up in the box," UH defensive coordinator George Lumpkin said, "but you have to make tackles. Fresno is a good running team, but if you don't stop them from running — if you don't make tackles — they'll keep running."

The Warriors received a boost with the return of Kamakawiwo'ole, who underwent an appendectomy two weeks ago. Kahai LaCount has recovered from a strained right knee and will provide depth at defensive tackle.

With Allen-Jones expected to make his first career start, two of three linebackers will be freshmen. The plan is for middle linebacker Ikaika Curnan (sprained right ankle, hyper-extended left elbow) to be used in a limited role and weakside linebacker Tanuvasa Moe (strained hamstring) as the emergency deep-snapper. But that was the same plan last week, and Curnan, frustrated by the Warriors' inability to slow Moats during LaTech's first drive, argued his way into playing on the ensuing defensive series.

Elimimian continues to be bothered by a sore right foot, sprained right ankle and strained right hamstring. If his availability is limited, then Turmarian Moreland will play left cornerback. When the Warriors use five defensive backs, Elimimian's role as nickelback can be filled by Broadway, with Landon Kafentzis replacing Broadway at right safety.

HAWAI'I SPECIALISTS

Outlook: Not everyone is fond of the Warriors' new black jerseys used for home games. Each UH player from last year's team was allowed to keep his black jersey as part of the goody bag for the Warriors' participation in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl. This year's black jerseys, some claim, are tailored slightly bigger than last year's. During an extra-point kick last week, Milne signaled for the snap. But Runge's drooping uniform obscured the signal, and he snapped the ball too early. Ayat's kick struck the right upright. "There was miscommunication, and it messed me up," Ayat said. "We'll get it squared away."

On the other hand, there is no confusion over why UH — unlike Fresno State — does not try to block punts.

"We have the No. 1 return guy in the country," UH coach June Jones said of Owens, "which is why we set up the return. I don't want to rush the punter. I want the ball back."

FRESNO STATE OFFENSE

Outlook: The Bulldogs prefer to deal the cards face up. "They'll show you what they're going to do," UH safety Leonard Peters said. "If you can beat 'em, you beat 'em. If not, they'll keep doing it."

Sumlin or Wendell Mathis will run in the lanes mostly between the tackles, following straight-to-the-gut blocks. Even the off-tackle runs are smash-mouth power plays, not the fancy-shmancy zone stretches preferred by Texas-El Paso, Nevada and Boise State.

Sumlin and Mathis have made up for the loss of Dwayne Wright, who led the Bulldogs in rushing in each of the first two games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. "Both are tough and both have great balance," UH's Lumpkin said. "If you don't use leverage to wrap them up, they'll keep going."

To keep defenses from cramming the tackle box, the Bulldogs will turn to their modified passing game of play-action throws to the flats or to a running back covered by a linebacker. Pinegar's recovery from a three-game slump, in which he was intercepted six times and didn't throw for more than 175 yards in a game, now offers the threat of a balanced attack. In the past two games, Pinegar has six touchdown passes and no interceptions.

FRESNO STATE DEFENSE

Outlook: Despite opening against two teams from BCS conferences, the Bulldogs have allowed the fewest points among WAC schools, relinquishing 20.0 per game. In the red zone — between their 20 and end zone — the Bulldogs are particularly stingy, with opponents coming away without points 34.5 percent of the time. In previous seasons, the Bulldogs sent multiple blitzes out of a 4-3 alignment. This season, they rely on pressure from the down linemen, who account for 15 of the 20 sacks.

"They have an NFL-type front line," UH's Jones said.

The key is Booker, a former first-team Junior College All-American whose ability to consume double blocks opens the way for McIntyre (six sacks) and Claude Sanders (7.5 tackles for losses).

James Sanders, who has three interceptions, is a mouthpiece-loosening hitter.

FRESNO STATE SPECIALISTS

Outlook: Since Pat Hill took over as head coach in 1997, the Bulldogs have blocked 53 placekicks or punts, an average of one every 1.8 games. "Trying to block kicks is what they do," Jones said. "That's their identity. They work hard at it."

The Bulldogs also excel in covering kickoffs, holding opponents to a league-low 19.4 yards per return.