FRESNO, Calif. — The Hawai'i football coaches apparently do read the fine print.

The Warriors have altered their run-and-shoot offense to fit quarterback Inoke Funaki's on-the-move skills.

In last week's game against San Jose State, the Warriors used rollouts, bootlegs and, when the the tackle box was crammed, Funaki threw play-action passes.

But while the Warriors might go from a fixed to a flexible pass pocket, the twist is not unique to the offense that is a DNA link to the run-and-shoot scheme developed by Mouse Davis more than three decades ago.

"It's still the run and shoot," UH quarterback coach Nick Rolovich said. "I know people get infatuated by the naming of the offense, but, really, a lot of the routes are the same. This was in Mouse's original playbook."

Ultimately, UH head coach Greg McMackin said, "we're an attack offense. We're going to pass first."

And the Warriors' opponent tonight, Fresno State, despite tinkering its offense, too, remains a smash-mouth team.

Here's a look at tonight's game between the Western Athletic Conference rivals:

HAWAI'I OFFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

LWO—1 Greg Salas 6-2 200 So.

LSB—5 Michael Washington 5-9 170 Sr.

LT—77 Aaron Kia 6-5 290 Jr.

LT—50 Laupepa Letuli 6-4 320 Jr.

LG—63 Brysen Ginlack 6-2 310 So.

C—55 John Estes 6-2 295 Jr.

RG—51 Clarence Tuioti-Mariner 6-0 300 Sr.

RT—78 Keoni Steinhoff 6-3 295 Sr.

RSB—85 Aaron Bain 5-8 180 Sr.

RWO—89 Malcolm Lane 6-1 180 Jr.

QB—11 Inoke Funaki 5-11 190 Jr.

RB—21 Kealoha Pilares 5-11 190 So.

RB—4 Leon Wright-Jackson 6-1 215 Jr.

RB—26 Daniel Libre 5-8 185 Sr.

RB—48 David Farmer 6-1 245 Sr.

Outlook: In the first half of last week's game, Funaki earned a high score (91 percent) from the coaches in a formula factoring reads, decisions and productivity. But his three interceptions dropped his rating to an overall 80. All of which means that in the revised offense — the dash — Funaki has played to two extremes. The keys to success are reading the defensive coverage and patience. Funaki acknowledged that his elusive running ability "sometimes is a blessing, sometimes it's a curse." His scrambles put pressure on defenses — but only when he remains a threat to pass. To be most effective, Funaki must explore his pass options before taking off. "It's almost like Spider-Man has his spider senses," Funaki said. "Sometimes, I'll get these false alarms, these false spider senses, that go off in my mind, that I have to escape (the pocket), but I don't. I'll think, 'Oh, people are collapsing on me,' when they're not. I'll watch it on film later, and I'm like, 'Hey, I was OK on that one, I didn't have to scramble around.' "

The thing is, Funaki indeed has the skill to be effective in the passing phase. Concerns about his arm strength were addressed when he overthrew Lane and Royce Pollard on fade routes. After those throws, Rolovich said, "people have more respect for the strength of his arm." Rolovich said Funaki can make all of the throws required in the offense. He also has been helped by his receivers' improved post-catch running. Last week, Bain's yards-after-catch (YAC) average was 7.67, raising his season's average from 3.5 in the first three games to 5.58. And Pilares has emerged as a dual threat as a rusher (team-best 3.95 post-hit yards) and receiver (he has caught 70 percent of the passes in his direction).

Still, for at least this game, the offense revolves around the unpredictable Funaki. "He's a playmaker," Steinhoff said. "Coach tells us not to get off our blocks until the play is over. Sometimes we don't know the play is over until we see (Funaki) run right past you."

HAWAI'I DEFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

LE—94 David Veikune 6-3 265 Sr.

LT—93 Keala Watson 6-1 320 Sr.

RT—99 Josh Leonard 6-3 305 Sr.

RE—58 John Fonoti 6-2 255 Jr.

OLB—44 Adam Leonard 6-0 235 Sr.

MLB—13 Brashton Satele 6-1 255 Jr.

OLB—17 Solomon Elimimian 6-0 225 Sr.

LCB/NB—2 Ryan Mouton 5-10 175 Sr.

FS—35 Keao Monteilh 5-11 200 Sr.

SS—7 Erik Robinson 5-10 200 Sr.

NS—24 Desmond Thomas 6-2 170 Sr.

RCB—23 Calvin Roberts 5-11 175 Sr.

NCB—3 Jameel Dowling 6-3 200 Sr.

Outlook: The defensive line's bookends are not identical. "John (Fonoti) and Dave (Veikune) are studies in two different things," said Dave Aranda, who coaches the ends. "Dave is very technically sound. We're trying to get Dave to be more free. John's just the opposite. John is working on being more technically efficient." Veikune is one of the strongest Warriors, capable of bench pressing more than 450 pounds. Fonoti is athletic enough to dunk a basketball. Fonoti has worked on using his hands more to fight off blocks, and leveling his pass rush so he does not run past the quarterback. He also is showing team work in squeezing the pocket — forcing the tackle inside — to open the way for an outside blitzer.

Mouton, meanwhile, is emerging as the Warriors' most versatile defender. Not only did he endure sore ribs to break up a lofting pass into the end zone last week, he is an effective blitzer when he is used as a nickelback. As a pass-rusher, Mouton does two things well: He disguises his blitz and he can quickly find the open lane to the backfield. The tactic of camouflaging his blitz came from studying Pittsburgh Steeler safety Troy Polamalu. "He's faster than anybody on the team," associate head coach Rich Miano said. "He's as smart or smarter than anybody. His technique is sound." And Mouton is fast (4.3 seconds over 40 yards). Against San Jose State, linebackers Leonard and Elimiman occupied the blockers, opening the way for Mouton to blitz the middle. "If the quarterback runs outside, you're in trouble," said Miano, noting that quarterback Kyle Reed did try to head to the perimeter before being chased down by Mouton. "You're not in trouble when the guy chasing the quarterback is 4.3. He flushes (the quarterback). He makes the tackle. He's phenomenally talented. He's worth the price of admission."

HAWAI'I SPECIAL TEAMS

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

PK—86 Dan Kelly 6-3 225 Sr.

P/H—49 Tim Grasso 5-11 210 Sr.

LS—57 Jake Ingram 6-4 235 Sr.

KR—2 Ryan Mouton 5-10 175 Sr.

KR—89 Malcolm Lane 6-1 180 Jr.

KR—21 Kealoha Pilares 5-11 190 So.

PR—5 Michael Washington 5-9 170 Sr.

Outlook: The Bulldogs are known for their kick-blocking skills. The Warriors will try to counter with an efficient punting system. It starts with Ingram, who has one of the quickest snaps in the country. Grasso, a former all-state prep receiver in Utah, has a catch-to-punt time of 1.35 seconds. That allows the Warriors to take less than 2 seconds from snap to punt. "Jake is the man," Grasso said. "He gets the snap off very fast."

Kelly's strategy is to quit thinking ahead. Too often, Kelly, who has missed four of his past five kicks, will fret about the long-term impact of each failed attempt. "I'm not going to worry about it anymore," Kelly said. "I'm not going to worry about how I'm going to kick in the next game. I'm going to kick it, and move on."

The Warriors will be without one of their top specialists, Richard Torres (concussion). Dane Porlas will replace Torres as the head-hunter on kickoffs. On kick returns, Spencer Smith will fill Torres' role of blocking the Bulldogs' head-hunter.

FRESNO STATE OFFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

WR—6 Chastin West 6-1 215 Jr.

LT—72 Bobby Lepori 6-5 290 Sr.

LG—79 Devan Cunningham 6-6 350 So.

C—74 Joe Bernardi 6-2 290 So.

RG—69 Andrew Jackson 6-5 295 So.

RT—73 Kenny Avon 6-3 285 Sr.

TE—85 Bear Pascoe 6-5 260 Sr.

WR—2 Seyi Ajirotutu 6-3 210 Jr.

QB—7 Tom Brandstater 6-5 225 Sr.

FB—48 Reynard Camp 5-11 270 So.

TB—21 Ryan Mathews 5-11 215 So.

TB—1 Lonyae Miller 5-11 215 Jr.

TB—22 Anthony Harding 6-0 215 Jr.

Outlook: The player known as Bear is the connection between the Bulldogs' controlled passing attack and tough-to-control running game. Pascoe is the Bulldogs' leading receiver (16 catches), with the ability to curl into the flats or break free on slants. He is capable of running 40 yards in 4.7 seconds. Most of all, he uses his big frame to gain position, like a power forward posting up. When it comes to blocking, Bear is bullish. "He's nasty," UH's Miano said of Pascoe. "He likes to finish. He mauls people. That's why he gets the name Bear. He's not a cub. He's a big brown bear in the forest that you're warned about when you go hiking."

Brandstater, whose 6-foot-5 build compensates for a low throwing motion, has two speedsters — Ajirotutu (19.6 yards per catch) and Marlon Moore (4.46 seconds over 40 yards) — to stretch defenses.

The Bulldogs entered the season expecting to rely on three running backs. But one of the trio, Mathews, has emerged as the top 'Dog. Mathews, who scored 14 touchdowns as a freshman last season, can attack the outside (4.5 seconds in the 40) or scrap his way on draws. The Bulldogs have a power formation in which 270-pound Camp aligns in the slot next to Pascoe.

FRESNO STATE DEFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

E—27 Michael Stuart 6-2 250 Sr.

NT—99 Mark Roberts 6-4 300 So.

DT—96 Wilson Ramos 6-4 270 Jr.

E—41 Ikenna Ike 6-2 255 Sr.

OLB—43 Chris Carter 6-2 220 So.

MLB—54 Ben Jacobs 6-3 240 So.

OLB—55 Nico Herron 6-3 240 So.

CB—28 A.J. Jefferson 6-0 190 Jr.

SS—3 Moses Harris 5-11 205 Jr.

FS—23 Jake Jorde 6-1 205 Sr.

CB—8 Sharrod Davis 5-11 190 Sr.

Outlook: Carter and Jacobs get most of the tackles, but Ike draws the most concerns. Ike is a high-motor end who forces the offensive tackle wide, opening the way for loops and stunts. Ike missed the second half of last season because of a wrist injury. In 2006, he endured knee problems. But Ike is relatively healthy this season, and he will be a key defender against the Warriors' revised spread offense.

The Bulldogs will miss their best interior player, tackle Jon Monga, who was injured two weeks ago. He had 6 1/2 sacks last season.

The Bulldogs have good bump-and-run corners — Davis has run 4.4 in the 40 — and safety Harris is a hard hitter who is effective on blitzes. Speedy Will Harding enters when the Bulldogs use five defensive backs.

FRESNO STATE SPECIAL TEAMS

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

PK—35 Kevin Goessling 6-0 190 Fr.

P/H—42 Robert Malone 6-2 215 So.

LS—58 Bobby Shepard 6-2 235 Fr.

KR—28 A.J. Jefferson 6-0 190 Jr.

KR—6 Chastin West 6-1 215 Jr.

PR—5 Marlon Moore 6-0 190 Jr.

Outlook: The Bulldogs rely on football's version of the full-court press. Because of their success in rushing the punter, opponents keep back extra blockers. That decreases the number of players used to bust the Bulldogs' wedge on punt returns. The Bulldogs have blocked a punt this season, and Moore is averaging 16.4 yards per punt return.

Last year's kicker, punter and snapper completed their eligibility. But Goessling averages 1.25 field goals per game, and Malone is 17th nationally with a 43.8 punting average.

Visit Tsai's blog at http://hawaiiwarriorbeat.com.