LOGAN, Utah — While the season is going south, the Utah State football coaches are looking to the North.

There are several ties between Utah State (1-7) and 14th-ranked Boise State (9-0).

Aggie head coach Brent Guy was Boise State's defensive coordinator from 1998 to 2000.

USU defensive coordinator Mark Johnson and assistant coach John Rushing coached at BSU. Assistant coach Jeff Copp is a former Bronco player.

What's more, Johnson and BSU head coach Chris Petersen were UC Davis coaches in the early 1990s.

On the 1995 Oregon team, Johnson was a graduate assistant and Justin Wilcox, now the BSU's defensive coordinator, was a receiver.

"I'm sure there are a lot of similarities in what we try to do," Johnson said. "We've had many of the same influences. Obviously, we're not doing as well, but we're young, and this is a good growing experience."

The Aggies' development will be tested in today's game against Hawai'i.

Here's a closer look:

HAWAI'I OFFENSE

LWO—84 Jason Rivers 6-2 192 Jr.

LSB—7 Davone Bess 5-10 195 So.

LT—70 Tala Esera 6-4 308 Sr.

LG—65 Hercules Satele 6-2 288 Jr.

C—64 Samson Satele 6-3 298 Sr.

RG—55 John Estes 6-2 290 Fr.

RT—72 Dane Uperesa 6-4 310 Sr.

RSB—1 Ryan Grice-Mullins 5-10 179 So.

RSB—82 Ross Dickerson 5-10 198 Sr.

RWO—3 Ian Sample 5-10 196 Sr.

QB—15 Colt Brennan 6-3 196 Jr.

RB—4 Nate Ilaoa 5-9 254 Sr.

Outlook: Nearly 50 years later, the Warriors are bringing their most successful pass play — the shovel pass — back to the state of its birth. In 1957, the University of Utah developed the shovel pass, a play in which the ball is pitched forward to an in-motion back. It proved to be so successful, football announcers started calling it the "Utah pass." Since then, college and pro teams have embraced the shovel pass. The play enjoyed a revival in 2004, when Urban Meyer, then Utah's head coach, developed his version of the shovel. In Meyer's model, which he now uses at Florida, the quarterback and running back flow in the same direction before the ball is pitched. In essence, it is a reverse option pitch. UH coach June Jones implemented his version of the shovel pass last year, and perfected it this season. In UH's schemes, Ilaoa and Brennan can move in the same direction, or Brennan can pivot one way while Ilaoa crosses the other, or the exchange can be made after a short delay, the pass equivalent of a draw play. This year, Brennan is 18 of 18 on shovel passes to Ilaoa.

Because Ilaoa receives the ball with his back to the defense, the play requires disciplined blocking from the linemen. "I know I'll get that," Ilaoa said. "I have trust in the o-line."

Brennan also needs to sell the play. If he tips it off, then Ilaoa is trapped.

The rest is up to Ilaoa, who has a yards-after-catch average of 14.27 on shovel passes.

For the second week in a row, Grice-Mullins, who has fully recovered from a sprained left ankle, will open at right slotback. Dickerson had played well in Grice-Mullins' absence. Last week, Jones told both players he would prefer if Grice-Mullins started. After consulting with each other, Dickerson insisted that Grice-Mullins start. They spent the rest of the night rotating — a plan they will duplicate today.

HAWAI'I DEFENSE

LE—98 Melila Purcell III 6-5 276 Sr.

NT—67 Michael Lafaele 6-0 302 Jr.

RE—91 Ikaika Alama-Francis 6-6 285 Sr.

LOLB—43 Brad Kalilimoku 5-10 211 Sr.

L/ROLB—8 Tyson Kafentzis 6-1 230 So.

LILB—41 Solomon Elimimian 6-0 224 So.

RILB—44 Adam Leonard 6-0 236 So.

ROLB—26 Micah Lau 5-9 220 Jr.

LCB—34 A.J. Martinez 5-10 179 Jr.

FS—42 Leonard Peters 6-1 217 Sr.

SS—31 Jake Patek 6-0 191 Jr.

RCB—38 Myron Newberry 5-8 164 Jr.

Outlook: Another week, another defensive change. This time, Martinez, who started the first three games, is back in the lineup. He had lost his job because he missed tackles against Boise State. "I did play pretty (bad)," Martinez said. He said he has worked on his technique. His dependable open-field tackling last week earned him this week's promotion. He replaces Gerard Lewis. "The coaches expect perfection," Martinez said. "I expect perfection, too."

Kafentzis has fully recovered from a hairline fracture in his right ankle, and now will join Kalilimoku and Lau as part of a three-man rotation at outside linebacker. Blaze Soares, who moved from inside linebacker two weeks ago, also is in the mix.

This season, the Warriors have rotated defensive linemen every fifth or sixth play. They also have used two defensive fronts — the basic three-lineman scheme and "Jumbo," a run defense featuring five down linemen. Now they have created a run defense using three 300-pound-plus linemen — nose tackle Kahai LaCount and ends Lawrence Wilson and Rocky Savaiigaea. Wilson and Savaiigaea are converted nose tackles.

The Warriors have created a third set of linemen. Laupepa Letuli, who moved from offensive left guard on Monday, David Veikune and Karl Noa will be used on obvious pass-rushing plays.

HAWAI'I SPECIALISTS

PK—86 Daniel Kelly 6-3 202 So.

LS—57 Jake Ingram 6-4 268 So.

H—11 Inoke Funaki 5-11 195 Fr.

P—25 Kurt Milne 6-0 205 Sr.

KR—82 Ross Dickerson 5-10 198 Sr.

KR—89 Malcolm Lane 6-1 181 Fr.

Outlook: The offense has been so prolific Milne has attempted one punt in the past three games, and Kelly has gone three games in a row without a field-goal attempt. His last attempt was blocked. Freshman Briton Forester handled the point-after kicks last week. But because of the travel-roster limit, Forester was left in Honolulu. Jones is confident Kelly will rebound.

"I was having a little trouble getting the kicks up," Kelly said. "I went through a little rough spot where I forgot everything I was ever taught before in my life. But I'm fine now."

Dickerson was named the WAC's Player of the Week after scoring on a 100-yard kickoff return against Idaho. "I don't think they'll ever kick it to him again," said Timo Paepule, the leader of the up-front blockers on kickoff returns.

UTAH STATE OFFENSE

WR—6 Kevin Robinson 6-0 195 Jr.

LT—74 Shawn Murphy 6-4 307 Jr.

LG—56 Ryan Tonnemacher 6-3 275 So.

C—75 Brent DeLadurantey 6-3 308 Sr.

RG—63 Pace Jorgensen 6-5 332 Jr.

RT—76 Malik Cin 6-4 320 Sr.

TE—86 Rob Myers 6-4 237 So.

WR—82 Xavier Bowman 6-3 193 Fr.

QB—12 Riley Nelson 6-1 196 Fr.

FB—25 Lynwood Johnson 6-1 235 So.

Or 88 Jimmy Bohm 6-2 273 Jr.

TB—4 Marcus Cross 5-11 209 Jr.

Outlook: After losing their first four games by a combined score of 144-7, including being shut out three consecutive weeks, the Aggies underwent an extreme makeover. Mike Santiago resigned as offensive coordinator. Leon Jackson III, whose first five interceptions were returned for touchdowns, was demoted as starting quarterback in favor of Nelson, a local standout. A week later, wideout Tony Pennyman was dismissed for violating team rules.

After averaging 179.5 yards in the first four games, the Aggies are averaging 311.5 since Nelson became the starter. Nelson, a graduate of Logan High School, was a Parade high school All-America quarterback last year, when he accounted for a national-record 84 touchdowns (53 passing, 31 rushing). USU was the only school to offer him a scholarship before the start of his high school senior year. He remembered that faith when he received an offer from Utah and a conditional one from Brigham Young. "It came down to Utah and Utah State," Nelson said. But, really, it was no decision at all. Two of his great grandfathers played at USU. His grandfather was a USU player, coach and athletic director. His father played at USU. "I grew up an Aggie fan," Nelson said. "My blood is navy blue."

Interim offensive coordinator Greg Stevens customized the schemes to match Nelson's quick release and nimble footwork. Nelson has completed 60 percent of his passes, and already is the team's second-leading rusher with 169 yards. "Everyone who plays football wants the chance to start," Nelson said. "I was given that chance. I didn't want to blow it."

UTAH STATE DEFENSE

LE—97 Bean Howard 6-0 265 So.

LT—57 Frank Maile 6-1 257 Jr.

RT—93 Ben Childs 5-11 264 Jr.

RE—58 Ben Calderwood 6-2 260 So.

SLB—31 Paul Igboell 6-1 202 Fr.

MLB—40 Derrick Cumbee 6-1 206 So.

Aggie—45 Devon Hall 6-3 205 So.

LCB—8 Drew Pearson 6-0 168 Jr.

SS—39 Caleb Taylor 6-3 192 So.

FS—9 Terrance Washington 5-11 198 Sr.

RCB—3 Marquise Charles 5-8 167 So.

Outlook: Johnson, USU's second-year defensive coordinator, has knowledge of several schemes. He learned the 4-3 at California and Boise State. At UC Davis, he was taught the 46 defense made famous by the Chicago Bears. Buddy Ryan, architect of the pressure 46, gave tutorial sessions to the UC Davis staff. But the Aggies are largely inexperienced.

"We truly are teachers," Johnson said. "You have to teach something every day. You have to constantly re-invent the way you teach or implement your scheme. It can be frustrating, but we're seeing the light bulb come on in a lot of guys' heads. It's exciting to watch them learn and grow."

UTAH STATE SPECIALISTS

PK—38 Bryan Shields 6-1 172 Fr.

LS—89 Ryan Wilson 6-3 258 Sr.

H—17 Ryan Bohm 5-11 210 So.

P—7 Leon Jackson III 6-1 200 Jr.

KR/PR—6 Kevin Robinson 6-0 195 Jr.

KR—82 Xavier Bowman 6-3 193 Fr.

Outlook: The Aggies are the only team in the nation without a field goal, going zip for two this season. One kick was blocked; a 26-yarder was wide.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.