DALLAS — Mack is back.

To be sure, Hawai'i head football coach Greg McMackin remains endearing to well-wishers, shaking hands, patting backs and sharing stories in the airport-area hotel where the Warriors are training.

But his players and assistant coaches have noticed that the okole-kicking side — which he used to display during team meetings — has returned.

The master of halftime shows — in the past, he has thrown a projector, computer and water jug to emphasize points — has jolted the Warriors with blistering speeches the past few days.

"It's time to get down to business," McMackin said.

In preparation for tomorrow's nationally televised game against Louisiana Tech, the Warriors have been placed on a strict schedule: Meetings, practices, study sessions, meals and rest. Show up late, feel the wrath.

He even made sure to separate the offensive and defensive players on the bus rides between the hotel and Trinity High football field.

"This is an important ball game for us," McMackin said of the Western Athletic Conference opener. "The whole nation has a chance to see what Warrior football is all about. I feel a big responsibility for us to represent the team, our staff and the people of Hawai'i."

The Warriors arrived in Dallas early yesterday.

They practiced last night at Trinity, and another practice is scheduled for today. The Warriors then depart this afternoon for Monroe, La., where they will spend the night. Monroe is a 30-mile drive from Louisiana Tech's Ruston campus.

"We've played hard in our first three games," McMackin said. "Our job, as a coaching staff, is to make sure we improve and come out and play better than we did last week."

OL SHIRT FITS TO A T

Each offensive lineman has a shirt that reads: "I hit for 21."

No, it's not a reminder of last week's Las Vegas trip, but the motto of the offensive linemen's 21 days of training camp.

Line coach Gordy Shaw gave a T-shirt to every offensive lineman who completed training camp. He distributed his entire allotment.

"They get better when they're practicing," Shaw said. "They don't get better when they're on the sideline."

On the back of the shirt, the slogan is: "Play as a nickel instead of five pennies."

"It's something we say in our meetings," Shaw said, a reference to the unity of the five offensive linemen.

The emphasis on the line instead of its parts has been highlighted by right tackle Laupepa Letuli's injured left knee. Letuli did not make the trip. Adrian Thomas, a fourth-year junior from Australia, will make his first start, in place of Letuli.

"It's a loss," Shaw said. "But football is a true team game. It's not like basketball or baseball, where you lose a home-run hitter or a big-time pitcher. Injuries are part of football. You have to get in there and be part of a unit and do your job. We should be all right."

SCOUTING REPORT

National Football League scouts are highly interested in Letuli, center John Estes, left tackle Aaron Kia, defensive end Fetaiagogo Fonoti and linebacker Blaze Soares.

The scouts attended the Warriors' practice yesterday.