Game Week: NMSU - Thursday News

Jason Kaneshiro writes about the Warriors having to practice without the scout team.

Without a scout team devoted to running the Aggies' schemes this week, the Warriors' offensive starters have been working against the second team in the 7-on-7 periods. Same goes for the defense.

That arrangement has created some interesting sights the last two days, including quarterbacks Brent Rausch and Inoke Funaki lining up at strong safety. Punter Tim Grasso -- a standout receiver in high school -- took a turn running routes against the defense yesterday.

"It was fun. We make the best of it," said Rausch, who played the role of NMSU quarterback Chase Holbrook for most of yesterday's practice. "I used to play safety in high school."

Ferd Lewis talks to Dan Kelly about kicking in the altitude, and has news and notes from practice.

Kaneshiro writes about Kealoha Pilares practicing at slot, Dan Kelly kicking in altitude, and Francis Maka moving to defensive tackle.

With the Warriors preparing for New Mexico State's passing game, the coaches have shifted defensive end Francis Maka over a spot to tackle.

"We're moving Maka to tackle to get more speed on the field," McMackin said.

"He's 270 and he's quick, he's a tough guy and we're trying to put our best players on the field."

And Bret Bloomquist of the El Paso Times writes about the Warriors' week-long stay in El Paso.

So, even though no major college football team in America is farther from El Paso than Hawaii, the Warriors had plenty of reasons for moving their operation 3,225 miles east to the Marriott hotel and high-school fields of El Paso this week. Playing on the mainland in back-to-back weeks (at Utah State last weekend and at New Mexico State at 2 p.m. Saturday), Hawaii opted to save an estimated $27,000 and camp in the Sun City this week.