EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon State quarterback Lyle Moevao felt cheated.

"All of the guys know who the real champion is," said Moevao, who was eliminated in the semifinals of the Beavers' annual jan-ken-po tournament. "They tried to do slow hand. They'd mess up and say, 'I messed up, let's do it again.' "

To be sure, trying to guess Oregon State's next play is like predicting whether Moevao will flash a "rock" or "scissors" sign.

The Beavers run a creative offense, which ranges from a no-formation-is-the-same running attack to a full menu of pass routes.

"We're getting better and better every game," said Moevao, whose team hosts Hawai'i today. "It's coming along little by little. We have to keep on grinding."

The Warriors also employ an innovative four-wide offense.

"We have to play our game," UH quarterback Tyler Graunke said. "We can't play the game they want us to play."

Here's a closer look at today's game:

HAWAI'I OFFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

LWO—1 Greg Salas 6-2 200 So.

LSB—5 Michael Washington 5-9 170 Sr.

LT—62 Keith AhSoon 6-1 315 Sr.

LG—63 Brysen Ginlack 6-2 310 So.

C—55 John Estes 6-2 295 Jr.

RG—51 C. Lafu Tuioti-Mariner 6-0 300 Sr.

RT—78 Keoni Steinhoff 6-3 295 Sr.

RSB—85 Aaron Bain 5-8 190 Sr.

RWO—89 Malcolm Lane 6-1 180 Jr.

QB—6 Tyler Graunke 6-0 185 Sr.

RB—4 Leon Wright-Jackson 6-1 215 Jr.

Outlook: Too often, the most difficult part of success is the hana hou. Check the UH archives. Quarterbacks Shawn Withy-Allen and Jason Whieldon came off the bench to produce Warrior victories, then struggled the next week as opening acts. Graunke, who gets the start after last week's brilliant second-half performance, acknowledges that it is different when an opponent has an entire week to create a specific game plan with a quarterback in mind.

"It's a little different preparation," said Graunke, a fifth-year senior who will make his fourth career start and first this season. He was reinstated a week before the season opener after being held out all of training camp while trying to resolve "academic issues."

But, coaches and teammates insist, Graunke is better prepared for this challenge. Graunke is the most experienced of UH's quarterbacks, and presents the most problems for defenses. Last week, he completed 50 percent of his deep passes (traveling at least 20 yards forward from the line of scrimmage); a completion ratio of 35 percent is considered to be good. In the first half of last week's game, Weber State aligned eight defenders in the tackle box, with the free safety playing 10 yards from the line of scrimmage. After Graunke entered in the second half, igniting the Warriors' passing attack, the Wildcats positioned six in the tackle box and dropped the free safety 15 yards deep. "Tyler can throw," Lane said. "He's a gunslinger."

Wright-Jackson, who has recovered from a strained arch, and Daniel Libre, back after missing a game because of a high-ankle sprain, are threats out of the backfield. Wright-Jackson has become a skilled post-catch receiver, especially on screens and shovel passes. His yards-after-catch average is 11.2. Libre, meanwhile, is a tough second-effort runner. His yards-after-initial-hit average is 8.5. Libre averages a broken tackle every rush.

Kealoha Pilares started at running back against Weber State, and practiced there this past week. But the good health of Wright-Jackson and Libre will allow Pilares to play his preferred position of slotback.

HAWAI'I DEFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

LE—94 David Veikune 6-3 265 Sr.

LT—93 Keala Watson 6-3 320 Sr.

RT—99 Josh Leonard 6-3 305 Sr.

RE—58 John Fonoti 6-2 255 Jr.

LLB—44 Adam Leonard 6-0 235 Sr.

MLB—13 Brashton Satele 6-1 255 Jr.

RLB—17 Solomon Elimimian 6-0 225 Sr.

LCB/NB—2 Ryan Mouton 5-10 175 Sr.

FS—35 Keao Monteilh 5-11 200 Sr.

SS—7 Erik Robinson 5-10 200 Sr.

NS—24 Desmond Thomas 6-2 170 Sr.

RCB—23 Calvin Roberts 5-11 175 Sr.

NCB—3 Jameel Dowling 6-3 200 Sr.

Outlook: Roberts has played well enough to earn his first career start in the regular package (4-3-4 alignment). When the Warriors go to the Okie (3-3-5) and 45 (4-2-5) schemes, Mouton moves to nickelback and Dowling enters as a cornerback. Now the Warriors have added a new twist: Thomas, who replaces Robinson in most passing situations involving five defensive backs. Thomas essentially gives the Warriors a second agile safety. "He's a veteran," said associate head coach Rich Miano, who coordinates the defensive secondary. "He knows what to do."

Veikune played superbly against Florida, and was a key in stopping the Gators' perimeter attack on run-option plays. Veikune is the Warriors' best pass rusher, but his ability to bracket offenses will most improve his stock as a pro prospect.

HAWAI'I SPECIALISTS

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

PK—86 Dan Kelly 6-3 225 Sr.

P/H—49 Tim Grasso 5-11 210 Sr.

LS—57 Jake Ingram 6-4 235 Sr.

KR—2 Ryan Mouton 5-10 175 Sr.

KR—7 Jovonte Taylor 5-9 185 Jr.

KR—89 Malcolm Lane 6-1 180 Jr.

PR—5 Michael Washington 5-9 170 Sr.

PR—85 Aaron Bain 5-8 190 Sr.

Outlook: The Warriors have employed several kick-return strategies in recent years. But Ikaika Malloe, UH's first-year special teams coordinator, prefers the 5-2-2-2 scheme, with two speedy returners at the goal line, and defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga and defensive end Victor Clore at the 15. "I always like bigger guys on the wedge," Malloe said. "Hopefully, we can get the size matchup with bigger guys blocking smaller guys."

The drawback, of course, is the possibility Meatoga or Clore will have to field a kickoff. "Those big guys catch kicks every day," Malloe said. "If we have to catch (the short kicks), we'll catch them. They're big, but they're athletic guys. They could easily play tight end." Of the possibility of returning a kickoff, Meatoga, who is 305 pounds, said: "That would be cool. I'll just cover up the ball and run."

OREGON STATE OFFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

LWO—19 Sammie Stroughter 6-0 186 Sr.

SB—13 Shane Morales 6-1 209 Sr.

LT—Andy Levitre 6-3 317 Sr.

LG—51 Adam Speer 6-3 286 Sr.

C—60 Alex Linnenkohl 6-2 288 So.

RG—73 Gregg Peat 6-3 296 Jr.

RT—50 Mike Remmers 6-4 286 Fr.

TE—88 Howard Croom 6-3 254 Jr.

H-B—81 Gabe Miller 6-3 231 So.

FL—8 James Rodgers 5-7 185 So.

QB—3 Lyle Moevao 5-11 220 Jr.

TB—1 Jacquizz Rodgers 5-7 193 Fr.

Outlook: The marquee receiver is Stroughter, who was awarded a second senior season because of a kidney injury last year. Stroughter, who was named to the All-America third team in 2006, has speed (4.4 seconds over 40 yards) and sure hands. At least defenses know what to expect from Stroughter. James Rodgers provides the element of mystery. When the Beavers align three receivers to one side, Rodgers, positioned in the middle, often steps back to catch the quick screen, then follows the blocks set by the other two receivers. He also is a threat as a runner. On the fly sweep — a play used successfully by Boise State and Florida — Rodgers aligns on the left side. He goes in motion, and then takes a handoff. He either will continue to run to the right perimeter or hand it off in a double reverse. Last week against Penn State, Rodgers motioned into the backfield and aligned as a tailback.

Adding to a defense's misery is Moevao's skill on play-action passes. So far this season, Moevao has thrown bubble screens and slants. But Moevao is capable of going deep. He can wing it 67 yards on the fly.

Jacquizz Rodgers is quick on sweeps and fearless on inside runs. As Texas' Offensive Player of the Year, he scored 136 career touchdowns.

Levitre is the Beavers' best available lineman, drawing praise from line coach Mike Cavanaugh.

OREGON STATE DEFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

LE—90 Victor Butler 6-2 238 Sr.

LT—54 Stephen Paea 6-1 293 So.

RT—99 Pernell Booth 6-1 302 Sr.

RE—58 Slade Norris 6-3 245 Sr.

SLB—32 Keaton Kristick 6-3 226 Jr.

MLB—41 Bryant Cornell 6-1 233 Sr.

WLB—Keith Pankey 6-0 211 So.

LCB—6 Keenan Lewis 6-1 196 Sr.

S—9 Al Afalava 5-11 212 Sr.

S—44 Greg Laybourn 5-10 208 Sr.

RCB—36 Brandon Hughes 5-11 178 Sr.

Outlook: The starting front seven that led the nation in run defense in 2007 completed their eligibility at the end of last season. But their two best pass-rushers, Butler and Norris, return. They combined for 19 1/2 sacks last season despite being used mostly in third-down situations. Norris, a converted outside linebacker, can run 40 yards in 4.64 seconds, which makes him the slower of the two ends. Butler has been timed at 4.56 seconds; his viciousness is off the charts. Butler, who was third in the Pac-10 with 10.5 sacks last season, earned his team's Lunch Bucket Award for his workmanlike play. Butler signed with OSU with the intent of playing wideout. But he was moved to rush end, a switch that is now paying off. Paea is a powerful point-holder. He reportedly can bench press 500 pounds.

In last week's game against Penn State, the Beavers ran a base four-man front with Cornell about 7 yards off the line of scrimmage. This time, the Beavers are expected to dust off the 2006 game plan they used against UH, when they sent up to seven defenders on pass rushes. The scheme works because the two corners, Lewis and Hughes, are skilled in bump-and-run, man-to-man coverage. Lewis (4.51 seconds) is the better cover defender. Tim Clark, who held future NFL player DeSean Jackson to 4 yards receiving in last year's game against California, will be summoned in nickel packages. But Kristick is quick enough to defend inside receivers.

OREGON STATE SPECIALISTS

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

PK—27 Justin Kahut 5-8 158 So.

P—7 Johnny Hekker 6-5 211 Fr.

H—84 Taylor Kavanaugh 5-10 175 Jr.

LS—57 Marcus Perry 5-11 236 Fr.

KR—8 James Rodgers 5-7 185 So.

KR—3 Patrick Henderson 5-10 175 Jr.

PR—19 Sammy Stroughter 6-0 186 Sr.

Outlook: The Beavers will stick with Hekker, who has struggled in the first two games. The punting problems appear to be twofold — zipless snaps and slow catch-to-punt times. Hekker is averaging 26.6 yards per punt; one was blocked.

Visit Tsai's blog at http://hawaiiwarriorbeat.com.