The portal to running back David Farmer's football and travel goals — to score touchdowns, to tour Europe — requires hitting the hole.

"Hopefully, they'll let me do that halftime thing," Farmer said of the win-a-trip-to-Vegas contest, "where I throw the ball into the hole, and cash my plane ticket into (a trip to) Europe instead."

Farmer's interest in the Old World stems from his fascination with history and, in turn, the coaches are intrigued with Farmer's comparable skills to successful historical football figures.

"He's like (John) Riggins of the Washington Redskins, or Franco (Harris) of Pittsburgh," UH head coach Greg McMackin said of 6-foot-1, 245-pound Farmer. "For a big man, he has good moves."

Farmer demonstrated his quickness in a 9-yard dash into the end zone in Saturday's 38-31 victory over Nevada.

"He doesn't have breakaway speed," McMackin said, "but he has breakaway attitude."

The coaches decided to expand Farmer's role. Not only is he receiving handoffs, but against Nevada, he sometimes was aligned as a slotback. He even ran a streak route.

"I've got some tricks up my sleeve," Farmer said, smiling. "Looks can be deceiving. ... I've always had good hands. If they want to use me (as a receiver), I'm open to it. I'll take on the challenge."

McMackin said Farmer is a good fit as a receiver. Football is about creating mismatches, and Farmer offers a different challenge than a usually smaller slotback.

"He's got speed and he's a good athlete, so he can catch the ball," McMackin said. "He's got more size than any defensive back he's going to face. He fits right into everything we do."

There had been concerns about how much Farmer would be able to contribute this season. During training camp, he suffered a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

The injury did not require surgery, although it took until the fourth game — and fifth week — of the season for Farmer to play again.

"My first week, I was a little timid," Farmer said. "Now it feels good again."

Farmer wears a brace during games and practices. At first, the brace was cumbersome. "There's a lot of Velcro," he said. "It nags at you. It kind of limits your mobility."

But after a while, it became his security, "like my new knee. It takes away that mental aspect. It lets me go out there and put a juke move on or throw an extra block."

Farmer, a fifth-year senior, is expected to earn a bachelor's degree in history in May. His graduation timeline was altered when he changed majors.

"I wasn't happy in business school," he said. "I wanted to switch to something I enjoyed a little better. I've always liked history since I was a kid."

His preference is European history, especially the Age of Enlightenment of the 18th century.

"There's more drama and soap opera in European history than American history," Farmer said. "I like it."

He is considering applying for law school or graduate studies.

For now, McMackin said, "Farmer is in our plans."

LEONARD TOUGHS IT OUT

It is fortunate linebacker Adam Leonard does not have a wedding in the near future. During the Nevada game, he suffered a fractured ring finger in his left hand.

"I went out there and, I don't know how, but when I got up (after a tackle), it was pointing in a different direction," said Leonard, who was not wearing athletic gloves.

Leonard tried to force the finger back in place. When he went to the UH sideline, he told the medical staff that it felt as if the finger were dislocated, and that he needed assistance.

"There was one spot I couldn't get," Leonard said. "It stayed the same. I think the part of the bone was sticking up there. They were trying to mess with it, yanking at it. They said it might be broken."

After going to the training room in Aloha Stadium, Leonard underwent X-rays. He then received special wrapping that allowed him to resume playing. He finished with nine tackles, tying a season high.

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