Following Saturday's 42-17 football loss to Fresno State, Hawai'i head coach Greg McMackin declared that his team is in a state of "adversity."

"We're not the same team we were when we went to training camp," McMackin said. "We've been a team of adversity. But so what? The whole world is going through adversity. Many people are going through adversity. We have to be strong and teach and keep adding to the positives."

The Warriors have been short-handed since the start of training camp, when wideout Malcolm Lane and offensive lineman Brysen Ginlack decided to redshirt. Then their defensive leader, middle linebacker Brashton Satele, suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Nearly two weeks ago, quarterback Greg Alexander suffered a season-ending knee injury.

"We've continued to have adversity, and we have more adversity now," McMackin said. "But I'm not going to quit, and my players aren't going to quit. We're going to keep working hard."

Against Fresno State, the Warriors committed three key mistakes on special teams. A field-goal attempt was blocked, setting up a Bulldog touchdown. Royce Pollard fielded a kickoff that appeared to heading out of bounds. Pollard stepped across the sideline, giving the Warriors possession at their 7. And Ryan Henry muffed a punt, leading to another Bulldog touchdown shortly before the end of the half.

What's more, receivers dropped four passes, quarterback Bryant Moniz underthrew several passes, and the defense had difficulty making third-down stops.

McMackin said those self-inflicted errors are "correctable." He also praised Moniz, who was making his first NCAA start, in place of Alexander.

"Bryant Moniz did an extremely good job in a tough situation," McMackin said. "We were down, but he was calm. He made some good plays. I'm extremely proud of Bryant."

McMackin said he did not sleep Saturday night, preferring to stay up and watch videos of the game. It was the Warriors' third loss in a row.

"There's not one kid who quit on that football team," McMackin said. "I looked at every person, every play. If that (weren't) the case, I'd be worried. But they played hard, and they played with an attitude every play."

McMackin acknowledged that slotback Greg Salas, who also returned punts, has emerged as the Warriors' best player this year. McMackin said it will be a "game-time decision" whether Salas will return punts in Saturday's road game against Idaho.

It also appears that defensive end Elliott Purcell and offensive right tackle Adrian Thomas will be available to play. Purcell suffered a stinger in the first half against Fresno State, but returned in the second half.

"I sucked it up," Purcell said.

Thomas did not play in the second half after aggravating a lower-back condition. Thomas had started in place of Laupepa Letuli, who has an injured left knee. There is a possibility Letuli might be available to play this week.