MADISON, Wis. — O'Brien Schofield expects to receive the same level of personal attention in Hawaii that he was given at Northwestern.

"I was getting double-teamed that whole game, even triple-teamed," Wisconsin's senior defensive end said, referring to Wisconsin's 33-31 loss at Northwestern on Nov. 21. "I didn't have a one-on-one that whole game. They did a good job game-planning against me. It was a physical game.

"I felt that at times I wasn't a factor because of how well they were game-planning for me. . . . It was hard. I had two people mirroring me the whole time."

Logic and prudence dictate that Hawaii (6-6), which needs to beat Wisconsin (8-3) on Saturday night to qualify for a bowl game, will use the same strategy because Schofield is Wisconsin's most disruptive defensive lineman and arguably the team's defensive MVP.

He enters the regular-season finale first on the team in tackles for loss (20½), sacks (eight) and quarterback hurries (eight) and third in total tackles (55).

Take away Schofield, as teams have schemed to do in the second half of the season, and you slow UW's pass rush.

Schofield finished with four tackles against Northwestern. Senior tackle Jeff Stehle added a sack and three tackles. Sophomore defensive end J.J. Watt, who has raised his level of play and has 10½ tackles for loss, had two tackles against Northwestern. Sophomore tackle Patrick Butrym had one tackle but twice missed opportunities to sack quarterback Mike Kafka after executing moves to get a clear path into the backfield.

"When OB does get double-teamed like that . . . there were a couple opportunities I could have had," Butrym said. "You didn't make them. That game is behind you and you move on.

"I was pleased with the moves I made. They were good moves. But I should have finished the plays."

Can UW's linemen finish such plays Saturday against Hawaii quarterback Bryan Moniz?

Like Northwestern, the bulk of Hawaii's passing game is predicated on three-step drops by the quarterback. That puts pressure on the defensive linemen to get quick penetration or obstruct the passing lanes by collapsing the pocket and getting high hands.

"You just need to get your hands up and be patient and maybe knock a few balls down," Butrym said. "And eventually your five-step (drops) are going to come and you'll have opportunities to get sacks."

Hawaii has allowed an average of 2½ sacks per game, 91st nationally. The Warriors allowed two sacks in a 24-17 victory over Navy last week and have allowed at least one sack in every game this season.

Nevertheless, Hawaii coach Greg McMackin thought his line gave Moniz sufficient time to wait for receivers to get open against Navy. Moniz completed 32 of 46 passes for 366 yards and three touchdowns.

"I thought the offense did a great job," McMackin said. "Our offensive line is our silver lining. Moniz had all kinds of time.

"They were sending five guys and six sometimes, but he had all kinds of time to throw the football, and I give credit to our offensive line."

UW defensive coordinator Dave Doeren acknowledged the pressure from the front four could have been better at Northwestern and must be better this week at Hawaii.

However, he was also quick to note the linemen need help from the linebackers and secondary in coverage.

"When the ball is being thrown as quickly as it was in that game, I don't know if you can put it on the D-lineman," he said. "You'd like to say that, but the ball is getting out pretty quick. They do need to step up, but the guy has to have the ball in his hands for that to happen. We were close a couple of times.

"But we've got to have tighter coverage to allow that pressure to get to there."

Schofield had 14½ tackles for loss in UW's first six games. He has just six in the last five games, in part because he has seen mostly double-team blocks and in part because UW has faced teams with quick passing games.

Hawaii should offer a bit of both.

"I'm prepared for double-teams," he said. "I promise you I am. I don't even think about single-teams. If I get them, I'll take advantage of them. But if I don't, I've still got to play ball.

"Hawaii reminds me of Northwestern a little bit. I'm looking forward to it. Northwestern, I really, really watched that film over and over. I saw things I could have done that I didn't see at the time."

"After watching the film and seeing exactly what was going on, we'll have a plan for it. We'll be prepared for it."