BOISE, Idaho — Madonna has done it several times.

"American Idol" will do it this coming season.

Reinvention, to be sure, is not easy. But the Hawai'i football team is finding success in moving to a more balanced offense — which, in this case, means emphasizing the run.

In last week's victory over Louisiana Tech, the Warriors had a season-high 40 rushes (against 26 pass attempts) and, in a run-dominated third quarter, had possession for nearly 13 minutes.

The strategy, it seems, is giving the offensive line more ownership of the offense.

"I think they like the challenge of running the ball," UH line coach Brian Smith said. "They like that more responsibility is put on them than had been in the past, where it was just (pass) protection."

In past seasons, Smith said, the offense relied on the shoulders of quarterbacks Colt Brennan, Tim Chang and Nick Rolovich.

"Now," Smith said of the linemen, "they have more of a personal role in the outcome of the game, which is good."

UH center John Estes agreed, saying the expanded running attack "keeps the defense more honest. In years past, Colt did such a great job, sometimes we didn't have to block for him. He got the ball out when they blitzed. This year, we keep the ball, and it slows down their (pass) rush."

Here's a closer look at tonight's game between UH and host Boise State:

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.

LG—50 Laupepa Letuli 6-4 320 Jr.

C—55 John Estes 6-2 295 Jr.

RG—51 C. Tuioti-Mariner 6-0 300 Sr.

RT—78 Keoni Steinhoff 6-3 295 Sr.

RSB—85 Aaron Bain 5-8 190 Sr.

RWO—89 Malcolm Lane 6-1 180 Jr.

QB—11 Inoke Funaki 5-11 190 Jr.

RB/SB—21 Kealoha Pilares 5-11 190 So.

RB—26 Daniel Libre 5-8 185 Sr.

RB—4 Leon Wright-Jackson 6-1 215 Jr.

FB—48 David Farmer 6-1 245 Sr.

Outlook: Funaki's elusiveness, especially in the modified offense that features bootlegs and quarterback draws, is causing fits for the defenses. Funaki breaks nearly a tackle every time he runs. If Funaki is hit, a defender better make sure he is tackled. Funaki's yards-after-hit average is 5.56 yards. Last week, even on a play that ended with a sack, he broke two tackles. Funaki's scrambling also puts pressure on his blockers. Against Louisiana Tech, Funaki escaped a sure tackle and sprinted across the field for a long gain. Estes and Steinhoff held blocks for 11 seconds. "It's a challenge when Inoke is back there," Steinhoff said. "Coach always tells us to 'stick to your blocks. Never give up until the whistle blows.'" Funaki said: "See what they have to put up with?"

It's not just the linemen. Salas made a key block on Pilares' touchdown play last week.

In past seasons, the Warriors had basically three running plays — the dive and two stretch runs. Now, they have expanded the running game to include speed and read options, counters and, yes, bootlegs. They also unveiled the slotback option, with Funaki rolling to the perimeter and pitching late to Washington.

All of which can become a bait-and-switch, luring in the defense to set up passes. Pilares, in particular, has become an effective post-catch runner on shovel passes or screens. He has a yards-after-catch (YAC) average of 18.0 yards in three Western Athletic Conference games. Lane also is a threat as a post-catch runner; he has a YAC average of 10.67 in WAC games. Thing is, Lane has been all-or-nothing this season. He has caught only 34.8 percent of the passes in which he was the primary target. "I've been making big plays, but I need to make more consistent plays," Lane said. "I always get one big catch a game. I can't settle for that. I'm not happy with my performance. I need to try to step it up and concentrate. I have to make the best of my opportunities."

HAWAI'I DEFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

LE—94 David Veikune 6-3 265 Sr.

LT—93 Keala Watson 6-3 320 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.

LB—17 Solomon Elimimian 6-0 225 Sr.

OLB—59 R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane 5-11 225 Jr.

CB/NB—2 Ryan Mouton 5-10 175 Sr.

FS—35 Keao Monteilh 5-11 200 Sr.

SS—7 Erik Robinson 5-10 200 Sr.

S—24 Desmond Thomas 6-2 170 Sr.

CB—23 Calvin Roberts 5-11 175 Sr.

NCB—3 Jameel Dowling 6-3 200 Sr.

Outlook: Satele has endured a sore right shoulder the last two games. To ease his workload, the Warriors will go with a four-linebacker rotation. When Satele rests, Elimimian moves back to the middle, where he has amassed 313 of his 356 career tackles. Elimimian needs 11 tackles to set the UH record. Kiesel-Kauhane is expected to make his second consecutive start. When Satele plays, Elimimian moves to the right side, replacing Kiesel-Kauhane.

The defense receives a boost with the return of tackle Fale Laeli, who did not play last week because of a sore right ankle. The coaches also expect more consistency from Fonoti. "I have to step up," said Fonoti, who has been tutored by fellow Farrington High alumni Al Noga and Ta'ase Faumui. Those two former UH standout defensive ends taught Fonoti the push-and-pull move and speed rush. "They helped me out a lot." Fonoti said Veikune also has been instrumental. "Dave Veikune is one of my idols," Fonoti said. "I like the way he plays, really aggressive. He runs hard. I don't know if he's a machine on batteries."

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.

PR—5 Michael Washington 5-9 170 Sr.

Outlook: Two years ago in Boise, the Warriors struggled with the snap-and-catch phase. Ingram is now one of the most accurate, and Grasso, an All-State high school receiver in Utah, has sure hands.

The key matchup will be on the perimeter, with Boise State kick-blocker Ian Johnson rushing in from UH's right side. Spencer Smith has been assigned the role of blocking Johnson. "He's a good athlete," Smith said. "It's going to be a tough job. ... I've got to be disciplined. I know he's got moves."

BOISE STATE OFFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

X—9 Jeremy Childs 6-0 196 Jr.

H—82 Julian Hawkins 6-3 223 Sr.

LT—60 Andrew Woodruff 6-2 320 Sr.

LG—71 Cory Yriarte 6-1 285 Fr.

C—66 Thomas Byrd 5-11 275 Fr.

RG—76 Jon Gott 6-3 286 Sr.

RT—62 Kevin Sapien 6-4 274 So.

TE—85 Tommy Gallarda 6-5 249 So.

Z—19 Vinny Perretta 5-10 195 Sr.

QB—11 Kellen Moore 6-0 187 Fr.

RB—41 Ian Johnson 6-0 196 Sr.

RB—27 Jeremy Avery 5-9 168 So.

FB—40 Richie Brockel 6-2 248 Jr.

Outlook: The basic rule of sports is: Keep your eye on the ball. That's not so easy against the David Blaine of college offenses. The Broncos attack off of inside zones, stretch plays, power-0 runs and play-action passes. But each play comes with an elaborate opening act of motions, shifts and, when a defense makes a call, more shifts. The intent is to create mismatches, hoping that when the Broncos zig, the defense will zag. Each of the ball-handling players, it seems, has multiple skills. Perretta can be used as running back or receiver. Brockel blocks as a fullback or a tight end. The Broncos also have several personnel groups that work only on specific plays. That provides a role for someone like Tanyon Bissell, who has been used as a wideout, slot, wingback and quarterback.

While the majority of the players at ball-handling positions have to learn a set amount of plays, the quarterback has to know all of them. That is what is remarkable about left-handed Moore, a second-year freshman. Moore has limited mobility but unlimited potential. He makes the right reads and throws to the right people. Moore has completed 71.5 percent of his passes, and has 10 scoring passes against three interceptions. The best deep threat, wideout Titus Young (16.8 yards per catch), is suspended and won't play. But Childs (4.52 seconds over 40 yards) is the go-to receiver. Eight receivers have caught TD passes this season.

Johnson, a Heisman Trophy contender the past two seasons, is still the best and fastest Bronco rusher. Johnson's per-rush average has slipped to 4.9 this year. Avery is another roadrunner, and D.J. Harper also is a threat.

BOISE STATE DEFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

LE—93 Mike T. Williams 6-3 248 Sr.

DT—99 Steven Reveles 6-0 280 Sr.

DT—90 Billy Winn 6-4 282 Fr.

RE—98 Ryan Winterswyk 6-4 258 So.

WLB—44 Kyle Gingg 5-11 203 Sr.

MLB—52 Derrell Acrey 6-1 233 So.

SLB—24 Tim Brady 6-1 204 Sr.

CB—13 Brandyn Thompson 5-10 180 So.

S—23 Jeron Johnson 5-11 191 So.

S—18 Ellis Powers 5-10 200 Sr.

CB—1 Kyle Wilson 5-10 185 Jr.

Outlook: A scout's video of the Broncos' defense will show alignments and assignments. What's missing from the video, usually shot from the Stueckle Sky Club — a four-story facility added to Bronco Stadium — is the easy-to-read identity of the players. From that distance, with the blue home jerseys washing against the blue turf, it is difficult to discern individuals. Then again, the Broncos' defense always has been an ensemble performance. Williams and Winterswyk are pocket crushers, and Wilson is a shut-down corner, but the Broncos are designed to swarm to the ball-carrier. The workmanlike formula is modeled after the New England Patriots' philosophy. Only Williams, Johnson and Wilson ascended the depth charts quickly. Winterswyk initially joined as a walk-on. Reveles and Acrey were backups last season. Powers contributed mostly on special teams in 2007. While the Broncos' 4-3 scheme is simple, their players are bright. Gingg was an academic All-American. Brady was named to All-Academic teams three times in high school. Thompson, one of five true freshmen to play for the Broncos last season, graduated from high school with honors. Wilson, who led his prep team to three New Jersey state championships, was a member of the National Honor Society.

BOISE STATE SPECIAL TEAMS

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

PK/P—35 Kyle Brotzman 5-10 179 So.

H—2 Tanyon Bissell 5-10 194 Sr.

LS—51 Dallas Dobbs 6-2 220 Jr.

KR—27 Jeremy Avery 5-9 168 So.

KR—22 Doug Martin 5-10 200 Fr.

PR—19 Vinny Perretta 5-10 195 Sr.

Outlook: Earlier this year, Ian Johnson received an evaluation from a panel of NFL scouts. It was known that Johnson could run. He also quelled concerns about his blocking. And by gaining 10 pounds, he still maintained his speed (4.48 seconds over 40 yards). But Johnson decided to answer all doubts, volunteering to serve on special teams. But instead of serving as a kick returner, the expected role of a Heisman Trophy candidate seeking additional duties, Johnson wanted to be a kick blocker. Now he is one of the Broncos' top players in that area; he has one of three blocks.

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