When a college football team scrimmages against itself, half of the news is always good.

Or in the view of University of Hawai'i coaches, who are cautious by nature, half of the news is not-so-good.

"There were a lot of mistakes," said head coach June Jones, who coordinates the four-wide offense, of the first full-pad practice of training camp. "We can't afford to make those mistakes in the first two games or we'll get beat."

On the other side, defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville also was critical.

"I thought the offense had the edge," he said. "If I had a scorecard, they would have won, 2-1."

To be sure, yesterday's morning practice was more animated than the previous nine. The defense was unleashed in three head-to-head sessions against the offense.

Led by quarterbacks Tyler Graunke and Colt Brennan, the offense dodged the dogs (blitzes from the linebackers and defensive backs) to complete passes on deep routes and slants during the 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills.

"After not seeing (all-out) action all camp, they did an excellent job of blocking the dogs," Glanville said. "You can tell they're well coached and they know how to pass things off when they're under pressure."

In the 11-on-11 session, Graunke, a second-year freshman who entered camp as the No. 1 quarterback, completed 4 of 6 passes for 40 yards. Brennan, a third-year sophomore who transferred from a junior college, was 2 of 3 for 9 yards.

In the 7-on-7 session, Brennan was 9 of 12 for 150 yards, hitting Chad Mock at the end of a 45-yard post pattern and connecting with David Kaihenui on a 35-yard slant. Graunke was 4 of 11 for 57 yards. After Kaihenui's catch, Glanville screamed at a cornerback: "You've been in the witness-protection program too long!"

And later he yelled this: "Give up one more inside (completion) and I'll send you home!"

Brennan said: "I thought it wasn't as clean as we wanted it, because you had guys flying at you, and it's 100 mph out there. But I thought it went pretty good from the learning aspect."

In the final session, a 20-play controlled scrimmage, the defense seized command. The first six passes were incomplete. Two plays were aborted when Samson Satele, a decorated left guard auditioning at center, misfired on shotgun snaps. Strong safety Lono Manners intercepted Graunke, and left cornerback Kenny Patton picked off Brennan.

"We need base stuff," Jones said. "It's the simple things. We can't throw interceptions. We can't make bad snaps. I don't care who it is (at center), the snap has to be good."

Free safety Leonard Peters said: "The offense did well today, but the defense played hard, too. We put on a lot of pressure. We've been waiting since the first day of camp to hit. It's always a battle when you can go all out."

Patton added: "The offense will pick it up, especially when they put in more plays. With the defense, it's pretty much line up and go."

The defense received a boost from inside linebacker Ikaika Curnan, who is recovering from surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right ankle. Curnan flattened wideout Dylan Linkner in what was the loudest tackle of practice.

"I'm doing what I have to do," Curnan said. "It's either hunt or be hunted."

It appears the defense has established a lineup of linemen Ikaika Alama-Francis, Renolds Fruean, Melila Purcell III and Kila Kamawiwo'ole; linebackers Tanuvasa Moe, Brad Kalilimoku and Timo Paepule, and defensive backs Manners, Peters, Patton and Turmarian Moreland. Ryan Keomaka is the nickelback and Michael Malala, who made two diving pass deflections, is the dimeback.

While Glanville has been pleased with that unit's progress, ever the perfectionist, he voiced concerns about the third-stringers.

"Team three acts like they've never been in a meeting," he said. "You're always a play away from (summoning a player from) team three. I take responsibility. I'll coach team three harder and try to get them better mentally."

FERGUSON, BESS IN LINE TO RETURN PUNTS

Jones said slotbacks Jason Ferguson and Davone Bess are the leading contenders to return punts.

"We'll see how it goes," Ferguson said. "The punts come, they come. My main focus is on offense. I want to be that guy on offense."

Ferguson has practiced as the No. 1 left slotback. "I am first team, but I don't think my performance has been first team," Ferguson said. "I don't think I'm doing bad, but I have to step it up more."

Meanwhile, Larry Sauafea, who played in five games as a defensive tackle last season, has moved to the offensive line. He originally joined UH as an offensive lineman.

Also, wideout Ian Sample, who is recovering from a sprained back, practiced yesterday afternoon. It is not known when he will be available for contact drills. Linkner (concussion) and running back Laupepa Letuli (sprained right shoulder) did not practice yesterday afternoon.