LAS CRUCES, N.M. — For more than 20 years, Oren Long has been considered "family" by University of Hawai'i coaches Cal and Ron Lee.

In fact, right up until today.

Today Long, a starting defensive right tackle for New Mexico State, will try to disrupt "uncle" Ron's Warrior offense in the meeting at Aggie Memorial Stadium.

"He's like part of the family," said Ron, UH's offensive coordinator. "I coached his dad (Collins) at Kalani and his uncle (Scott) at Kaiser."

Moreover, Oren was at Saint Louis School with Cal Lee, UH's defensive coordinator, and his cousin, Keahiahi, works in the UH football office.

"I have a strong relationship with both Cal and Ron Lee, who are extremely good coaches," Oren said.

"He's a good kid; part of the family," Cal said. "He wasn't the biggest kid — he was slender (coming out of high school) — but had talent and worked hard with a good attitude."

At the time he went unrecruited by UH, going to Alcorn State for two years before transferring to NMSU.

Oren Long has since blossomed into a 6-foot-2, inch, 260 pounder who is one of the leaders of Aggie defense. When he ran into the Lees a while back, Oren said, "Coach Cal said, just in passing, 'Wow, we let one go.' I was kind of flattered by the comment."

Long said, "everybody wants to play for their home team but I just looked at it as an opportunity to come to New Mexico State, thrive and get a good education."

But, Long, who is one of eight players on the Aggies' roster with Hawai'i ties, acknowledges, "You always want to do good against someplace that didn't really want you."

Said Cal Lee, "I'm very happy to see the success he's had."

Just as long as he doesn't have to much against his "uncles" today.

MCMACKIN BACKIN' LONG STAYS ON MAINLAND

The next time UH has back-to-back Mainland road games will be next September and McMackin says he plans to have the Warriors remain on the Mainland again.

UH plays Washington State Sept. 12, in a game that was scheduled for Pullman, Wash., but will likely be moved to Seattle.

The following week UH plays at Nevada-Las Vegas and McMackin said, "we'll probably stay in Las Vegas," immediately after the WSU game.

In two previous back-to-back situations involving UNLV, the Warriors stayed outside Las Vegas under June Jones.

In 2002, they made camp in Ontario, Calif. And in 2007 they headquartered in Houston.

MIANO STILL TALLYING UP VOTES FOR STARTING JOB

UH assistant coach Rich Miano has been Mr. One-Liner this week, loosening up the Warriors in practice.

After punter Tim Grasso tried to place the ball in the corner inside the 5-yard line, just missing by a foot: "That would have been in Canada."

Asked who will start today at free safety between Desmond Thomas and Keao Monteilh: "It is like the election, there is a popular vote and, then, there is the electoral college. We're still evaluating the candidates in the electoral college."

WARRIORS ARE 3 1/2-POINT FAVORITES OVER AGGIES

Hawai'i is a 3 1/2-point favorite over New Mexico State on the Las Vegas betting lines.