The Day Before UNLV

Rob Miech of The Las Vegas Sun has an excellent profile of Greg Alexander.

But Alexander’s maturation with Hawaii’s run-and-shoot offense is a major factor why the Warriors have fared well out of the gate this season.

“Obviously, when you start off, you’re lost,” he said of the complex passing schemes and reads. “It takes a lot of repetitions until, as an offense, you’re able to execute and be comfortable and perform at a high level.

“People have said it’s almost a two-year system. You’re gonna struggle your first year as a quarterback. The second year is when you’ll start seeing things and picking it up.”

Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review Journal has an article on Greg Alexander as well.

"We've got to be able to slow them down and contain them and rush the passer," Sanford said. "I think we're better than we were a year ago, we're better than we were two years ago, but how much better, I don't know yet."

Whether it's a traditional drop-back passer such as Alexander or the gun-slinging Brennan, the Warriors' philosophy hasn't changed. They prefer quick passes that make establishing a pass rush difficult.

"The thing about that offense is it's a timing deal," UNLV defensive coordinator Dennis Therrell said. "You can blitz him, and they'll turn a guy loose. It comes out of there so quick, you can't get to him. We've got to come up with a way to try to affect him somehow somewhere."

On the right of this profile of UNLV linebacker Starr Fuimaono, there's a video of the UNLV coaches and players talking about tomorrow's game.

Stephen Tsai writes about the thinning depth at defensive end and how the coaches and players have kept this trip all business.

Jason Kaneshiro has more about the defensive ends.

Sophomore Liko Satele has drawn praise from coaches and teammates since taking over on the right side. Senior Bo Montgomery rises into a backup role, and could see action in pass-rushing situations.

Victor Clore recovered from a concussion in time to contribute to the rotation against Washington State and has been working on both sides of the line this week.

"We've got a lot of guys that can step up and play," said Montgomery, primarily a special-teams player since transferring from Weber State. "We don't have as much depth as we hoped, but I think it's good if we can throw guys in and keep guys fresh."

Dave Reardon profiles starting defensive end Jake Heun.

THIS BRINGS us to Jake Heun. Actually, injuries to starting defensive ends John Fonoti and Paipai Falemalu bring us to Jake Heun. Coach Greg McMackin said Heun, a backup linebacker a couple of weeks ago, will start tomorrow at defensive end.

If you had to draw a picture of a football player, it might look like this swaggering strongman from Alaska. Bulging super-hero muscles. Mohawk. Big tattoo on his chest. And black-and-pink toenail polish.

Black-and-pink toenail polish?

"Because I can," Heun told reporters when they noticed.

Who's going to argue with this confessed former street brawler and MMA prospect? He must have won most of his fights, because I noticed no scars. He says he's mellowed out, but who wants to find out for sure?

I bet the toenail polish is to bait people into calling him out.

Ferd Lewis profiles receiver Rodney Bradley.

For all the receivers the Warriors counsel to be patient and things will happen eventually, Bradley is the overnight success story. For all the JC transfers that need the benefits of a red shirt year just to know where to find the ball, the 6-foot, 190-pound Bradley has been the Readers Digest quick read to the end zone.

And Brian McInnis has a great article on "Uncle 'Noke"

Gather 'round, youngins, and listen to Uncle 'Noke's wisdom.

Hawaii senior Inoke Funaki has been playing for the Warriors for what seems like a lifetime, and at 26, is one of the oldest players on the team.

But more than his age, Uncle 'Noke earned that nickname because of his second-nature as a caretaker.

"A lot of the younger boys call me that," said Funaki with a grin. "I always do my best to keep them in line, make sure they go to class. It's something I enjoy."