EL PASO, Texas — At a field named "Eastwood," the University of Hawai'i football coaches dared their players: "Go ahead, make my day."

And the Warriors obliged, putting together a spirited two-hour practice in preparation for tomorrow's game against New Mexico State.

The Warriors are staying in a hotel near the El Paso International Airport, the largest airport in the West Texas-New Mexico border area.

"I told June (Jones, the head coach), of all of our practices on the road, this was our best," defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville said. "We practiced the way we want to play — with great intensity."

In cool conditions — the mercury dipped into the low 50s — the Warriors fined-tuned their four-wide offense, put in some new defensive wrinkles, and worked on all phases of special teams.

Micah Lau and Brad Kali-limoku — both of whom started for the first time at outside linebacker this season in last week's 68-37 rout of Fresno State — appeared to be more comfortable.

Left cornerback Gerard Lewis and right cornerback Myron Newberry also had their most physical practice. Both will make their first UH starts tomorrow.

Running back Reagan Mauia, who did not play last week because of injuries to both shoulders, participated in all of the drills.

"Everybody who's here can play," Jones said.

The exception is freshman free safety Spencer Smith, a redshirt candidate.

Even a hold-me-back fight between two players — the first this season — could not diminish the enthusiasm.

"Move along, people, there's nothing to see," free safety Leonard Peters told reporters who tried to edge closer to identify the participants.

"It was very spirited practice," Glanville said. "This taught me something. You get on a 9-hour flight, lie down a little while, and we're ready to play the game. That's the intensity we have."

Jones said: "We got done what we needed to get done."

AGGIE DEFENSE KNEW HOLBROOK WAS THE ONE

In choosing its starting quarterback, New Mexico State cut to Chase Holbrook.

Before the start of spring practice, NMSU coach Hal Mumme recalled, "the defensive guys who were returning from last season, they made an appointment with me. They wanted to make it real plain that I know who the quarterback should be. They didn't want me messing it up. They said, 'We already have a quarterback. He's down on the scout team.' "

Mumme was indeed familiar with Holbrook. In 2004, Mumme was the head coach and Holbrook the quarterback at Southeastern Louisiana.

Soon after Mumme was hired as NMSU head coach on Jan. 1, 2005, Holbrook followed.

In accordance with NCAA transfer rules, Holbrook was required to redshirt last season. He spent the season as the scout quarterback, facing the first-team defense every day in practice.

Holbrook was so impressive he received the defense's endorsement.

"He won the (starting) job without ever playing a down in a game," Mumme said. "That says a lot to me."

Holbrook proved to be the correct choice. He leads the nation in total offense, averaging 409.7 yards per game, and is tops in passing yards (424.0 per game).

Mumme likened Holbrook, who is 6 feet 5 and 235 pounds, to two of his former players — Kentucky's Tim Couch, the first player selected in the 1999 National Football League draft, and Southeastern Louisiana's Hank Martin.

"Martin had a really quick release, and (Holbrook) has one like that," Mumme said. "Tim was a big guy who really loved the game and had a great pocket awareness for making throws. Chase has a lot of those qualities."

Although Holbrook appears to be soft-spoken, Mumme said, "He has the personality to lead. He doesn't talk a whole bunch, but when he does talk, he's entertaining to be around. On the field, he's vocal enough to get the job done."

Holbrook was raised to play football, growing up under the bright Friday night lights, in the Texas suburb of Bedford (between Dallas and Fort Worth).

"Texas high school football isn't as quite as dramatic as the movies and TV show make it seem," Holbrook said. "At the same time, there's a lot of pressure on the coaches to win, and a lot of pressure in general."

Holbrook said he has adjusted to Division I-A football, and that playing on the scout team proved helpful in winning over teammates.

"I kind of paid my dues running the scout team," he said. "I always try to work hard. If you work hard, you kind of get some respect from teammates."

Holbrook also said he does not mind the workload. He averages 53 passes per game.

"Some teams run to set up the pass," UH assistant coach Mouse Davis said. "They run to give the quarterback some rest."

Holbrook said: "I'll do whatever it takes to help this team."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.