While much of the attention is focused on the offense, it's been Hawai'i's defense that has quietly moved up the charts.

The core of the defense is the linebacking corps, which features a trio of veterans in Solomon Elimimian, Adam Leonard and Brad Kalilimoku.

"I don't think people really know how physical our front seven is," said UH defensive coordinator Greg McMackin, in his second stint as defensive coordinator with head coach June Jones at UH.

McMackin's attacking defense has lifted the Warriors from 93rd nationally (377.8 ypg) in total defense last season to 33rd (348.9 ypg). Hawai'i is also 39th (131.7 ypg) in rushing defense and 40th (24.17 ppg) in scoring defense.

"The biggest thing we want to do is play fast," said McMackin. "Those are all guys that we feel can win us ball games. We don't play P.E. football where you just play a guy to play a guy. Those are all guys that we feel, depth-wise, can help us win games."

Elimimian, a 6-foot, 224-pound junior from Los Angeles, has a team-high 132 tackles with 11 going for losses. He had a season-high 20 tackles against Utah State on Oct. 6.

"He makes the calls in the middle," said linebackers coach Cal Lee. "He's been everywhere for us this season and he's a smart guy. We can tell him what we want and he knows exactly what we're talking about."

Leonard, a 6-foot, 236-pound junior from Seattle, moved from inside linebacker last year —when former defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville employed a 3-4 scheme — to outside linebacker this season.

Leonard was in on 100 tackles this season with 11.5 resulting in losses. He has also intercepted four passes and returned two for touchdowns.

"Adam, he looks like a young Mike Tyson," said Lee. "The only thing about him is he hits harder than Mike Tyson. Adam brings great intensity and love for the game. He loves being out there and he'll do whatever it takes to help the team."

Elimimian and Leonard have started every game this year.

Kalilimoku, a 5-10, 213-pound senior from Honolulu, went from inside linebacker to strong safety to outside linebacker during his UH tenure, but has been steady enough this season to start 10 games (UH started an extra defensive back in the other two games).

"Brad just never gives up. He has such a Warrior spirit," said Lee. "He's the guy that will do the work that nobody else wants to do."

Kalilimoku has 46 tackles, 8.5 for losses and three sacks.

"I think I've just been very fortunate to get players like that to begin with," said Lee. "They're good players; they listen to you; they work hard."

Sophomores John Fonoti, Blaze Soares and senior Timo Paepule also get their share of playing time, especially Soares, who has become a crowd-favorite for his bone-crushing hits while playing with a shoulder injury.

"Blaze is just relentless," said Lee. "The guy plays with reckless abandon and more than anything else — passion."n

Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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