Everybody has a special talent.

Fresno State's is annoying, pestering and harassing opposing kickers and punters.

In Pat Hill's 11 seasons as head coach, the Bulldogs have blocked 74 kicks or punts, including four this season. In the previous two years, they have blocked tonight's opposing kicker, Hawai'i's Dan Kelly, four times.

"They've got good athletes, and they put them on special teams," said Rich Miano, who helps coordinate UH's special teams. "They've always been athletically better than anyone in our conference. They really work hard, and stress fundamentals and special teams and the importance of special teams."

The emphasis was placed largely because the Bulldogs need good field position to boost a ball-control offense.

Against Western Athletic opponents, the Bulldogs' average drive starts at their 42 following a kickoff. When they get the ball on punts, their average first snap is at their 32. Only once in 44 punt returns have the started a drive inside their 10.

"They preach field position," Miano said. "They're trying to put you in a hole."

Here's a closer look at tonight's game:

FRESNO STATE OFFENSE

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

WR—13 Jawon Crawley 6-1 185 So.

LT—72 Bobby Lepori 6-5 285 Jr.

LG—62 Cole Popovich 6-3 285 Jr.

C—77 Ryan Wendell 6-2 285 Sr.

RG—69 Andrew Jackson 6-5 290 Fr.

RT—73 Kenny Avon 6-3 285 Jr.

TE—85 Bear Pascoe 6-5 260 Jr.

WR—6 Seji Ajirotutu 6-3 205 So.

QB—7 Tom Brandstater 6-5 220 Jr.

FB—40 Nate Adams 5-11 240 Sr.

TB—2 Clifton Smith 5-8 190 Sr.

TB—21 Ryan Mathews 5-11 205 Fr.

Outlook: Although three former quarterbacks are in the NFL, and Fresno State proclaims itself as "Quarterback University" in this week's news release, it has earned a reputation for its grind-it-out running attack. Under first-year offensive coordinator Jim McElwain, the Oakland Raiders' quarterback coach last year, the Bulldogs actually have called more running plays. Last season, the Bulldogs ran 57 percent of the time; this year, it's up to 62.3 percent, and 69 percent on first down.

The Bulldogs are hopeful that Mathews, listed as questionable because of an ankle injury, will be available to play. Mathews, who led the nation in rushing as a high school senior last year, tops NCAA freshman with 6.26 yards-per-carry average and 12 touchdowns. He can run 40 yards in4.5 seconds, and vertical jump 32 inches. If Mathews can't go, then it will be "Batman" to the rescue. Smith, who wears a Batman T-shirt under his jersey, is the Flash. Sometimes the speedy Smith receives the direct snap.

Brandstater, who struggled last season, has rebounded to complete 60.1 percent of his passes, mostly off play-action plays. He is sharp in the classroom, having earned a bachelor's degree in 3 1/2 years. As a fourth-year junior, he is enrolled in a master's program.

Pascoe is regarded as the league's best pass-catching tight end. Of his team-high 37 receptions, 23 have resulted in first downs. He breaks open often on over-routes in which he goes across the defense.

Wendell is the best of the linemen. Just don't ask him. The offensive line has taken a vow of silence with the media this year.

FRESNO STATE DEFENSE

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

E—96 Wilson Ramos 6-5 265 So.

NT—42 Charles Tolbert 5-11 265 Sr.

DT—94 Jon Monga 6-2 280 Jr.

E—11 Tyler Clutts 6-2 245 Sr.

OLB—31 Marcus Riley 6-2 220 Sr.

MLB—54 Ben Jacobs 6-3 225 Fr.

OLB—32 Quaadir Brown 6-2 215 So.

CB—22 Damon Jenkins 5-11 180 Sr.

SS—3 Moses Harris 6-1 200 So.

FS—19 Marvin Haynes 6-1 205 So.

CB—4 Damon Owens 6-1 185 So.

Outlook: Clutts is so good that four UH offensive linemen — both tackles and both guards — have had to prepare scouting reports on him. He can align at either side as a pass-rusher, or as a linebacker in coverage. Clutts, who can run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds, has six sacks this season, 22 in his Bulldog career. He also is fearless. His hobbies include waveboarding, snowboarding and surfing. He also is an avid cliff jumper. If only the Bulldogs' defense, as a whole, were more adventurous. The Bulldogs have intercepted one pass in 293 pass attempts, and have incurred a negative turnover margin (eight takeaways to 17 giveaways).

FRESNO STATE SPECIALISTS

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

K—39 Clint Stitser 6-1 200 Sr.

LS—57 Greg Titriga 6-3 255 Sr.

H—42 Robert Malone 6-2 215 Fr.

P—35 Kyle Zimmerman 5-11 200 Sr.

KR—28 A.J. Jefferson 5-11 180 So.

KR/PR—2 Clifton Smith 5-8 190 Sr.

Outlook: Stitser is strong (395-pound bench press, 500-pound squat), and certainly bright (he had a 4.0 cumulative average in earning his bachelor's degree last semester). He has converted seven field-goal attempts of at least 40 years.

HAWAI'I OFFENSE

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

LWO—84 Jason Rivers 6-2 189 Sr.

LSB—7 Davone Bess 5-10 195 Jr.

LT—62 Keith AhSoon 6-1 315 Jr.

LG—65 Hercules Satele 6-2 193 Sr.

C—55 John Estes 6-2 292 So.

RG—73 Larry Sauafea 6-2 294 Sr.

RT—78 Keoni Steinhoff 6-3 282 Jr.

RSB—1 Ryan Grice-Mullins 5-11 180 Jr.

RWO—2 C.J. Hawthorne 5-11 168 Sr.

QB—15 Colt Brennan 6-3 201 Sr.

RB—4 Leon Wright-Jackson 6-1 211 So.

RB—43 David Farmer 6-1 224 Jr.

Outlook: In recent practices, right wideouts Hawthorne and Malcolm have received an equal number of first-team repetitions. Hawthorne runs routes better, and is more sure-handed, catching 76 percent of the passes thrown in his direction, best among the starting receivers. He has three drops in 90 attempts. Lane has caught only 48 percent of the passes thrown his way, but he offers more big-play potential. Lane's yards-after-catch (YAC) average is 10.17; Hawthorne's YAC is 2.37.

In the past two games, Grice-Mullins has surpassed Rivers and Bess as the go-to receiver. During that span, Grice-Mullins caught 27 of the 37 passes thrown his way. His two-game YAC was 7.52. Conversely, Hawthorne's attempts dropped from an average of 7.3 for the first eight games to 5.0 in the past two. Brennan said the coverage dictates the distribution.

"You stick to the read," Brennan said. "That's what's great when you have so many talented receivers. You don't have to worry about focusing on one guy. Basically, because they're all so talented, I can go through my reads and whoever's open gets the ball. I'm not really thinking this guy will get the ball more than the other guy. They're all on the same level to me."

UH will be without Kealoha Pilares (sprained right knee), who is skilled at finding the cut-up lane on stretch runs to the perimeter. Wright-Jackson, Farmer, Daniel Libre and Jason Laumoli will take turns as the lone back. Wright-Jackson has improved dramatically as a stand-up blocker, holding off blitzers in team drills this week. "I felt I wasn't aggressive enough in my blocking," he said. "Our linebackers come at us at full speed. They usually blow us up. I felt it was time to get more aggressive." By not cut-blocking, Wright-Jackson is able to block a second defender or become a receiver.

HAWAI'I DEFENSE

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

LE—54 Amani Purcell 6-4 277 Sr.

LE—74 David Veikune 6-3 252 Jr.

LT—96 Fale Laeli 6-1 292 Jr.

DT—93 Keala Watson 6-3 300 Jr.

RT—67 Michael Lafaele 6-1 302 Sr.

RE—12 Karl Noa 6-4 251 Sr.

RE—58 John Fonoti 6-3 240 So.

SLB—43 Brad Kalilimoku 5-10 221 Sr.

MLB—17 Solomon Elimimian 6-0 218 Jr.

WLB—44 Adam Leonard 6-0 236 Jr.

LCB—23 Gerard Lewis 5-9 175 Sr.

SS—31 Jacob Patek 6-0 204 Sr.

FS—24 Desmond Thomas 6-3 174 Jr.

RCB—3 Myron Newberry 5-9 174 Sr.

NB/CB—27 Ryan Mouton 5-10 182 Jr.

Outlook: The past two weeks, the Warriors have spent hours studying videotapes and compiling scouting reports of a tough defensive opponent: themselves. It is the coaches' way of determining whether they have tendencies to call the same coverages in specific situations. Do they always blitz on third-and-8? How often are they in the 3-3-5 alignment? The Warriors' defensive schemes already are difficult to decipher. In each of their four defensive schemes, they employ what is essentially football's version of a match-up zone. There are man-to-man assignments within the framework of a zone. The schemes narrow loopholes — unlike last season, the Warriors now have multiple ways to cover the tight end — and utilize each defender. Unlike some other teams' zone coverages, the Warriors do not defend open space, meaning they won't leave a defender to patrol a vacant area.

The Warriors, under defensive coordinator Greg McMackin, employ several personnel groups. They have a top rotation of four defensive ends, six defensive tackles, five linebackers and three cornerbacks. "We consider them all to be No. 1 players," McMackin said.

The rotations keep defenders fresh, and makes it easier to replace an injured player. Thomas, who was considered the third safety, should have little difficulty filling in for free safety Keao Monteilh, who is out for the rest of the regular season because of a fractured shoulder blade.

With rush end Francis Maka out at least two weeks because of a fractured fibula, Fonoti will receive more playing time. Fonoti is strong (team-best 308-pound power clean), quick (4.39 seconds in the pro-agility shuttle) and well advised. He has been tutored by fellow Farrington High and UH graduates Al Noga and Ta'ase Faumui. "Al Noga gave me some tips on rushing the passer," Fonoti said. "He told me a lot of things about technique." Fonoti already has drawn praise from McMackin. "I love Fonoti," McMackin said. "He's the kind of football player you love to coach. He's so physically strong in his upper body. He has a great intensity for getting to the ballcarrier or the quarterback."

HAWAI'I SPECIALISTS

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

K—86 Dan Kelly 6-3 202 Jr.

LS—57 Jake Ingram 6-4 234 Jr.

H/P—49 Tim Grasso 5-11 221 Jr.

KR—89 Malcolm Lane 6-2 184 So.

KR—5 Michael Washington 5-7 173 Jr.

PR—7 Davone Bess 5-10 195 Jr.

PR—3 Myron Newberry 5-9 174 Sr.

Outlook: The Warriors have devoted extra practice time in anticipation of the Bulldogs' kick-blockers. Cameron Allen-Jones, UH's version of a tight end, and linebacker Timo Paepule are wing blockers in charge of protecting the perimeter. Most teams try to send tandem blitzers; Paepule is particularly skilled in jamming the inside blitzer and detouring the outside guy. Opponents should be wary of Allen-Jones, who also can curl into the flat as a receiver. The Warriors have worked extensively on fake punts. In practices this week, Ingram and Grasso have lowered their snap-to-punt time to 1.6 seconds. Grasso has improved the hang time of his punts to 4.2 seconds; anything longer than 4 seconds is considered to be good.

Kelly, whose average kickoff reaches the 6, has recovered from a variety of ailments and is expected to drive kickoffs deeper. He only has five touchbacks in 68 kickoffs. "I'm starting to get that pop back," Kelly said.

Two of the kick-cover players — Maka and linebacker Rustin Saole — are out with injuries. UH has activated Kenny Estes, who was scheduled to redshirt, and added Erik Pedersen to the kickoff team. Pedersen is so aggressive he was asked to lessen the ferocity of his hits during practices.

Visit Tsai's blog at www.hawaiiwarriorbeat.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.