SHREVEPORT, La. — In the final phase of yesterday's walk-through workout, the Hawai'i football team went into a damage-control mode.

As scheduled.

The Warriors worked on worst-case scenarios, such as hurrying the field-goal unit onto the field.

They also choreographed returns after recovering fumbles. In one drill, 300-pound defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea took an option pitch.

The drills were amusing to the 100 or so middle-school students who attended yesterday's 45-minute workout at Trinity High in a Dallas suburb. But for the Warriors, they served a purpose.

"We have to be ready for everything," UH head coach Greg McMackin said. "We don't want any surprises."

Perhaps the only situation without a Plan B was when Savaiigaea unsuccessfully tried to empty a container of iced water onto assistant coach Dave Aranda as a birthday surprise.

"You blew it, Rocky!" a teammate yelled.

For the most part, the Warriors appear to be ready for tonight's nationally televised Western Athletic Conference opener against Louisiana Tech.

The Warriors finalized their game plan during practices in Honolulu. They honed it with a 2-hour practice at Trinity on Monday night, then spent most of yesterday's workout going through special-team routines.

The Warriors then departed Dallas yesterday afternoon for Monroe, La., a 30-mile drive from Louisiana Tech's Ruston campus.

"This is a big step for us to play Louisiana Tech," linebacker Blaze Soares said. "It's going to define our season. Either we make it or break it. It's for all of the marbles."

The Warriors, who are 2-1, are playing the last of three consecutive road games. They have set a goal of winning the WAC title. After each practice, they gather at midfield and yell: "WAC champs."

"We have a championship to win," Soares said. "We have to treat this like a championship game."

The Warriors are concerned about the Bulldogs' power-running attack and relentless defense. There also is concern about the conditions.

In the 2007 meeting between the teams, also played in Ruston in September, several Warriors suffered from humidity-related cramps. The Warriors still are reminded of the vision of offensive lineman Keith "The Bear" AhSoon barely able to walk.

Although the game will be played at night, the Warriors have consulted with a hydration specialist. What's more, slotback Kealoha Pilares plans to take an IV as a pre-game precaution.

Perhaps the biggest boost is the return of defensive end Fetaiagogo Fonoti, who missed the first three games because of a kneecap injury.

The Warriors also moved Soares to middle linebacker, where he will have a greater role in play-calling. The Warriors have been going with a no-huddle defense this season, a strategy that might be beneficial against the Bulldogs' hurry-up offense.

"This is a big game for us," McMackin said.

Visit Tsai's blog at http://warriorbeat.honadvblogs.com.