LEWISTON, Idaho — The original plan had been to practice indoors at the University of Idaho's Kibbie Dome, site of today's football game for the University of Hawai'i.

Instead of a protective roof, however, the Warriors found themselves under a slate gray, rainy sky in teeth-chattering 46-degree weather late yesterday afternoon at Lewiston High School's field.

In the past you might have heard the complaining all the way back to Honolulu. Yesterday, however, there was a collective "whatevas" attitude about the switch. The Warriors had come to practice and, for the moment, that seemed to be all that mattered as they got down to business, light-hearted at times, but workman-like.

The kind of whatever-it-takes approach that has helped carry these Warriors to five consecutive road victories over the span of two seasons. The most of any UH football teams since 1980-'82, which won six in a row.

These Warriors take aim at that mark — and a lot more — today in an 11:05 a.m. (Hawai'i time) Western Athletic Conference game.

With a 4-0 start and a No. 17 national ranking, the Warriors can ill-afford any pratfalls right now. Especially at a place where they have been installed as 26-point favorites on the Las Vegas betting lines. This is the kind of game they are supposed to win. And win handsomely. An expectation that is reflective of just how far they have come as a program.

For it wasn't too many years ago when any venture out of Aloha Stadium was a toss-up — or worse. Any game away from home, especially up in altitude and down in temperature was a cause for deep concern. The slightest things that could go wrong usually did. Even when it was just the seemingly routine opening coin flip.

If the Warriors didn't play their best, they usually didn't win. And if they were off their game, look out, it had a tendency to get ugly.

But these Warriors — and we're talking since June Jones took over in 1999 in general and the last two campaigns in particular — have shown an ability to do more. Jones is 17-20 on the road in nine seasons. Under Jones, especially lately, the Warriors have been able to win with their "B" and, sometimes, "C" game on the road. Witness the squeeze-it-out 45-44 overtime win at Louisiana Tech earlier this month. You wouldn't advise pushing their luck too much in that regard, but it is evidence that it can be done. Which is what it takes to hold down a national ranking.

So whatever it was that prompted Jones to make a late switch in practice sites yesterday — convenience, security concerns or just a notion to shake things up a little — he knew these Warriors should be able to handle it. No fear of fragility with this team. Not now.

And how many UH teams have been able to say that 2,869 miles from home with a quarterback coming off a gimpy ankle?

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.