Greg McMackin was defensive coordinator when the University of Miami had the nation's No. 1 defense in 1993 and 1994.

McMackin also was the coordinator when the Seattle Seahawks were a fantasy-football owner's dream, scoring an NFL-record 14 defensive touchdowns in 1998.

He was at the defensive helm in 1999, when Hawai'i produced the greatest single-season turnaround in Division I-A history.

But in all of those years and through all of those stops, his defenses never had a better game than the Warriors' 50-13 victory over New Mexico State Saturday.

That was the first time in 14 years that his defense checked off every box in a nine-goal list.

"I'm so proud of them," said McMackin, who returned to UH this season after spending the past eight years with Texas Tech and the San Francisco 49ers.

While his Miami defenses were topping NCAA statistical charts, McMackin decided he wanted a more precise barometer. That's when he crafted a list in which the goals are: to win; hold opponents to no more than 17 points, 3.4 yards per rush, and 37-percent-conversion rate on third down; not allow a rush of more than 19 yards or a completed pass of more than 29 yards; not relinquish a touchdown after a UH turnover; force at least three turnovers, and score a defensive touchdown.

"He's been using that since he was No. 1 with Miami," head coach June Jones said. "To finally meet all of the goals is an impressive deal."

Defensive tackle Michael Lafaele said: "I know coach Mac is excited, and that he's proud of us. I knew our defense was playing well, and guys were making big plays. It was a testament to how hard we worked in practice and during the summer."

McMackin said he came up the points-allowed limit because "17 is two touchdowns and a field goal. You figure if you don't give up more than that, you have a good chance to win."

He said it was a better gauge to use rushing average instead of rushing total. It is noteworthy that none of the goals involve total yards.

"Turnovers are the big thing," said Adam Leonard, who has scored on two of his four interception returns this year. "We put a lot of focus on how we play on third down, and making those key stops."

McMackin never changed the goals even though college offenses are more prolific than the NFL's.

"It really puts into perspective how well our defense is playing," Leonard said.

This season, the Warriors are holding offenses to 2.9 yards per rush and 30-percent conversions on third down. They have intercepted 16 passes, five of which were run back for touchdowns, and forced five lost fumbles.

The goals are listed on a large grid posted in the locker room. "H" stickers are used to fill in the blanks, like chips on a bingo card.

The Warriors had reached eight of the nine goals twice in the first seven games.

"If we didn't give up that late touchdown in Idaho, we would have had enough," Jones said.

Like an in-progress no-hitter in baseball, nobody talked about a perfect score during Saturday's game. But the last puka was filled when JoPierre Davis scored on an interception return with 3:42 to play.

"I'm happy we accomplished it," defensive tackle Fale Laeli said. "We came, we saw, we conquered."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.