MOSCOW, Idaho — If the University of Hawai'i football team ever needs a power back to help plow in for a touchdown in a goal-line situation, Adam Leonard has a number to call.

His.

After returning an interception for a touchdown for the second week in a row, No. 44 disclosed that he's ready, willing and able to take on a new role.

"I've been talking to JJ (head coach June Jones) about getting a little goal-line fullback (time) and busting one in," Leonard said.

Leonard's 40-yard interception return of a Nathan Enderle pass broke open what had been a 7-7 game, helping propel the No. 17 Warriors to a 48-20 victory over Idaho.

Just the week before against Charleston Southern, Leonard took an interception back 36 yards for a touchdown.

This one was a big one — "huge" said defensive backs coach Rich Miano — opening the way for 31 unanswered UH points. And opening, too, Leonard hinted, dialogue for an additional role.

"He talked about that last week," Jones said. "He's got some running ability."

Would Jones let the 6-foot, 236-pounder make the move?

"Naw."

Asked if he would have a problem with Leonard moving to offense, defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said, "Oh, yeah, lots of problems" — especially after Leonard led the Warriors in tackles with 10, including two for losses.

Then McMackin smiled and said, "I don't care, whatever June wants. June's done that before," citing C.J Hawthorne's move from the secondary to receiver, where he caught three passes yesterday.

In the meantime, Leonard said, "I don't think they (the runningbacks) should be worried about their jobs too soon. I'm just trying to keep helping the defense."

For now, anyway.

NO DENYING NEWBERRY

UH cornerback Myron Newberry didn't quite make it to the end zone with a second-quarter interception of an Enderle pass. He returned the ball 22 yards to the Idaho 18 before being stopped.

"I wanted the touch(down), but they had the angle on me," Newberry said. "But I knew my time to take one back would come eventually."

And soon.

Newberry picked off Enderle again on the Vandals' next series, also in the second quarter, and this time he took it back 76 yards before diving into the end zone.

"That one I gonna make sure I got in," Newberry said. "The last time I got (an interception for a touchdown) was two years ago in junior college."

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.