Yesterday was moving day for the Hawai'i football team.

Richard Torres moved from nickelback to free safety, Mana Lolotai from reserve to No. 1 middle linebacker, and Jake Heun from defensive end back to linebacker.

Rich Miano, who coordinates the defensive secondary, said Torres "grades out consistently as one of our best players every game. You feel you have to get him on the field (more). He's smart, and he knows how to line it up. His role should expand, and it will expand."

Of UH's four most-used alignments, only the 4-3 base defense does not employ a nickelback. The Warriors are in the base about a third of the time. In the new plan, Torres would play free safety in the 4-3. When the Warriors use five defensive backs, Torres will play nickelback and Mana Silva will enter as the free safety.

Chris Tormey, who coaches the safeties, said Torres has extensive knowledge of the schemes and, at 5 feet 8 and 175, is an aggressive defender.

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog," Tormey said.

Torres, a sophomore, has gained about 25 pounds since joining the Warriors in January 2008 while improving his quickness. He said he lowered his time in the 40-yard dash from 4.8 seconds to 4.46.

Torres credited an adherence to conditioning coach Mel deLaura's workout plan, which emphasized leg-strengthening exercises. He also watches hours of videos each week.

Lolotai was named the initial successor to middle linebacker Brashton Satele, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in training camp. But Lolotai, who started in the opener, eventually ceded the job to R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane, and then Blaze Soares.

During yesterday's one-hour practice, Lolotai was back on the first unit. Soares and Kiesel-Kauhane were the outside linebackers.

"I'm excited to get back into the groove," said Lolotai, a junior.

Lolotai had been taken out of the starting rotation while he learned the revised defense.

"I know the defense pretty good now," Lolotai said.

Once again, Heun is on the move.

Heun was head coach Greg McMackin's first recruit, in January 2008. Heun, who signed as power running back, did not play last season because of a herniated disk.

He was moved to defensive end in spring practice, and then to middle linebacker. In the second game of this season, he shifted to defensive end.

"Quarterback is next," Heun said, smiling. "It's good. I'm glad to be back. Iwant to help out. I'm trying to make an impact (at middle linebacker), and see what happens."

Heun said he was notified of the change yesterday morning.

"It's a quick turnover around here," Heun said.

QB MONIZ GRADED 'GOOD'

Quarterback coach Nick Rolovich said Bryant Moniz earned a grade of 80 percent in his debut as the Warriors' signal-caller in Saturday's 42-17 loss to Fresno State.

Moniz, a third-year sophomore who transferred to UHin January, made his first NCAAstart. He had entered training camp as the No. 4 quarterback.

"There were probably four or five plays that brought his grade down," Rolovich said. "Other than those four or five plays — possibly six plays — I would say he played good, but not great."

Moniz received double-minus grades for two interceptions. The first came in the end zone, after the Warriors drove to the Fresno State 10.

"Itake a lot of that blame for calling the play-action," Rolovich said. "Ishould have called the rollout, (so) he could have seen the flat. That safety came on the corner route."

But Rolovich said Moniz earned strong marks for deciphering defenses.

"I came out feeling as good as Ithought Iwould ever feel after a loss like that just because of the way he played and his presence on the field," Rolovich said. "His numbers weren't good. But he had a lot of drops. His accuracy was good."

LETULI OUT AGAINST IDAHO

Right tackle Laupepa Letuli said he will miss Saturday's game against Idaho while he continues to recover from an injured left knee.

He said he hopes to be available for the Oct. 24 game against Boise State.

Adrian Thomas started at right tackle the past two games. But Thomas aggravated a lower-back injury in the past game against Fresno State, and did not play in the second half.

Austin Hansen finished the game at right tackle.

McMackin said he expects Thomas to resume practicing Wednesday morning, the day the Warriors depart for Moscow, Idaho.

RAUSCH TO MISS TRIP

Quarterback Brent Rausch said he also will not play against Idaho.

Rausch was the No. 2 quarterback before suffering a fracture in the right pinkie of his throwing hand last month.

Rausch said he expects to be cleared Wednesday. But that will be too late to be added to the 64-player travel roster.

"It feels good," he said. "Ican throw fine, but it's not really up to me anymore."

MEATOGA STILL AILING

McMackin said there is a strong possibility defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga will not make the trip to Idaho.

Meatoga suffered a high sprain to his right ankle against Nevada-Las Vegas. He played in the next two games, but was limited to five and eight plays, respectively.

McMackin said it is better to let Meatoga fully recover before playing again.

LANE SETS JANUARY RETURN

Wideout Malcolm Lane, who is redshirting this season to focus on academics , said he will rejoin the Warriors in January.

"For sure," said Lane, who attended yesterday's practice. Lane also was on the sideline during the Warriors' home games against Central Arkansas and Fresno State.

"Everything is going good," Lane said. "I'm happy about school. My motivation has shifted to school. School is fun for once. It feels good to be able to concentrate on one thing. I'm happy right now, but Imiss my teammates and coaches. Ieven miss practices."

ALEXANDER KNEE INFECTED

McMackin also said that quarterback Greg Alexander was re-admitted into the hospital after suffering an infection in his left knee.

Two weeks ago, Alexander underwent season-ending surgery to repair tears to the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his left knee. He also has a torn meniscus.