SEATTLE — In the shadow of the Space Needle, the Hawai'i football players got to the point.

"We're here for football and business," defensive end Paipai Falemalu said. "We're not here to goof off."

Yesterday afternoon's 2-hour practice at Brigham Field, located in downtown Seattle, was the Warriors' final full workout in preparation for tomorrow's game against Washington State. The Warriors will have a 1-hour walk-through today at Qwest Field.

In dual conditions — the West-side stands provided a cool shade across half the field — the Warriors conducted an animated practice. The seagulls' caws were the soundtrack.

"It feels good to be back on the Mainland," quarterback Greg Alexander said. "It feels good to go more than 10 steps without sweating. It's nice and cool."

Middle linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane agreed, noting: "It's a little different than home. You sweat, but you cool down fast. It's perfect weather for football."

Right slotback Kealoha Pilares said: "It's refreshing. It's like outside air conditioning."

The Warriors used the practice to solidify their starting defensive lineup. Head coach Greg McMackin reiterated that Liko Satele will start at right end in place of Fetaiagogo Fonoti, who did not practice. Fonoti is in the second week of his recovery from a hyperextended left kneecap.

McMackin said Jake Heun and Falemalu will share the left end's job. Heun will be used in the base (4-3 alignment) and 45 schemes (4-2-5). Falemalu will play in the Okie defense (3-3-5).

Both are converted linebackers.

"I'll do anything to get on the field and help my team," said Falemalu, who did not play last season because of a shoulder injury.

Heun also did not play in 2008, his first UH season after transferring from City College of San Francisco, because of a herniated disk. It was feared Heun's career was in jeopardy.

"There was a doctor who didn't think I would play again," Heun said. "I went with two other doctors to get cleared. It wasn't anything I really wanted to think about."

Heun was moved from middle linebacker this past Monday.

"The accelerated program," he said, smiling.

He said he has been helped going against right tackle Laupepa Letuli, a fifth-year senior.

"Pepa gives you a great look," heun said. "He's a great pass-setter. He's big, and he's physical. He won't let you get in. He'll lock up on you."

Heun added: "The whole thing has been kind of funny. I went from maybe not being able to play again to going out there at Qwest. It's been 19 months since I started a football game."

Kiesel-Kauhane, a converted outside linebacker, takes over at middle linebacker. Mana Lolotai started there last week as the successor to Brashton Satele, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery two weeks ago.

Tank Hopkins, who has recovered from an injured hip flexor, will open as the No. 1 left cornerback. Hopkins was No. 1 before suffering the injury. Hopkins, Lametrius Davis and Lewis Walker have been competing at that spot.

"It's been a close battle among those three all summer," said associate head coach Rich Miano, who coordinates the defensive secondary. "You don't lose a job because of an injury, so to speak. It was one of those deals where they all had nicks and bruises and owies. Lametrius was kind of the last man standing. That's why he started last week. Lametrius is a good player. They're all so equal that Tank deserves his opportunity. They're all going to play."

Hopkins said: "I hated getting hurt. I hated missing practice. I'm glad I'm able to play."

NOTES AND UPDATES