After 18 hours of views — and reviews — of the 56-10 loss to Florida, the Hawai'i football coaches' portable DVD machines died, the battery life exhausted from overuse.

This week, the Warriors are recharging their batteries literally and metaphorically.

"This is an important game for us," UH head coach Greg McMackin said of tonight's meeting against Weber State.

McMackin is well aware that this, in football parlance, is a "trap-door" game, and that the Warriors could be emotionally vulnerable in the aftermath of last week's season opener against highly ranked Florida.

The visiting Wildcats have a high-powered, multiple-set offense and, more importantly, a nothing-to-lose attitude.

McMackin has implored the Warriors to remain focused. Wednesday's practice was McMackin's most vocal.

He also has changed the lineup, naming Inoke Funaki, last week's No. 3 quarterback, as the starter. It is the first collegiate start for Funaki, a fourth-year junior from Kahuku High.

Injuries also have forced some changes.

Here's a look:

WEBER STATE OFFENSE

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

LWO—81 Tim Toone 5-10 165 Jr.

LT—66 Paul Carpenter 6-6 305 Sr.

LG—61 Lawai Naihe 6-2 305 Sr.

C—53 Kyle Mutcher 6-3 295 Jr.

RG—73 J.C. Oram 6-4 295 Fr.

RT—77 Zac Carlson 6-4 300 Jr.

TE—23 Cody Nakamura 6-1 215 Jr.

RWO—6 Bryant Eteuati 5-7 160 Sr.

QB—12 Cameron Higgins 6-2 195 So.

FB—39 Macus Mailei 6-1 245 Sr.

RB—25 Trevyn Smith 5-9 210 Jr.

Outlook: For the past two decades, the running game was the standard feature in head coach Ron McBride's offenses. The Wildcats still employ the power-I formation — Mailei is the sledgehammer blocker for Smith, whose career yards-per-rush average is 5.22 — but they also morph into a four-wide offense. "We're a little more spread out now," McBride said. "That's what college football is about. It's not a smash-mouth game now. You have to spread it out and find an easier way to get yourself into the end zone. It's not time of possession. You can have less time of possession and score a lot of points."

The transition was eased because of offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven, who broke into coaching as a graduate assistant at Brigham Young, and Higgins, the Thinking Man's quarterback. Because of his scrambling ability, Higgins is effective on bootlegs and play-action passes. The Wildcats lost their first four games last season. Higgins then was named the No. 1 quarterback, and the Wildcats won five of their next eight games through the past weekend. "He had a few struggles, but he has an unbelievable desire to get better," McGiven said. "He really worked hard in the offseason to get himself ready physically and mentally."

Nakamura moved from wideout, but he is more of an inside receiver than blocker.

WEBER STATE DEFENSE

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

DE—96 Pate Moleni 6-3 260 Sr.

NG—94 Bryce Scanlon 6-3 295 Sr.

DT—55 Derek Johnson 6-2 295 Sr.

DE—42 Kevin Linehan 6-3 255 Jr.

SLB—33 J.D. Folsom 6-3 230 Sr.

MLB—44 Biff Swan 6-0 235 Sr.

R—31 Ryan Galovic 6-0 220 Sr.

LCB—9 Terrell Cloud 5-10 165 Sr.

S—15 Beau Hadley 6-0 185 Jr.

S—4 Scotty Goodloe 6-1 195 Sr.

RCB—24 Josh Morris 6-0 180 Jr.

Outlook: No doubt that Linehan is doing well in his major: human performance management. Linehan can bench press 500 pounds, squat more than 600 pounds and run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds. With the meshing of power and speed — his first-step quickness is Dark Knight-like — Linehan can play end, tackle and outside linebacker. Last year, he led the Wildcats with 12 backfield tackles and 5.5 sacks.

The Wildcats, who attack mostly out of a four-man front, try to bust the pass pocket inside out, with the speed tackles driving into the gaps. Scanlon and Johnson, who was granted a sixth year of eligibility, are the starting defensive tackles, but "The Beast" — Saint Louis School graduate Ryan Eastman — will be in for about half the snaps. "We're really impressed with him," said Baldwin High graduate Chad Kauha'aha'a, who coaches the defensive linemen. "He does a lot of good things. He's come on strong for a true freshman. That's why he's playing." Eastman's height turned away other programs, but Kauha'aha'a said there were no such requirements at Weber State. "If that were the case, we wouldn't look at him," Kauha'aha'a said. "We looked at his motor, his work ethic and his heart. We're happy to have him. He's going to do a lot of good things now and in the future."

The Wildcats frequently were in man-to-man coverage against Montana Western last week. But that should change against the Warriors' quick receivers.

WEBER STATE SPECIALISTS

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

PK—17 Jon Williams 5-10 200 So.

P—16 Mike Snoy 6-2 170 So.

LS—44 Biff Swan 6-0 235 Sr.

H—6 Bryant Eteuati 5-7 160 Jr.

KR/PR—6 Bryant Eteuati 5-7 160 Jr.

Outlook: Eteuati is Division I-AA's best punt returner not because of his speed over 40 yards (4.52 seconds), but his zero-to-blur, after-the-catch quickness. He also has dual vision: he can read his block and the on-coming defenders. Like Florida's Brandon James, the 5-foot-7 Eteuati is able to hide behind the block. The player nicknamed "P-Nutt" led Division I-AA players in all-purpose yards last season, averaging 207.5 per game.

HAWAI'I OFFENSE

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

LWO—1 Greg Salas 6-2 200 So.

LSB—5 Michael Washington 5-9 170 Sr.

LT—62 Keith AhSoon 6-1 315 Sr.

LG—63 Brysen Ginlack 6-2 310 So.

C—55 John Estes 6-2 295 Jr.

RG—51 Clarence Tuioti-Mariner 6-0 300 Sr.

RT—78 Keoni Steinhoff 6-3 295 Sr.

RSB—85 Aaron Bain 5-8 190 Sr.

RWO—89 Malcolm Lane 6-1 180 Jr.

QB—11 Inoke Funaki 5-11 190 Jr.

RB—4 Leon Wright-Jackson 6-1 215 Jr.

Outlook: The bumblebee, whose body is too big for its wings, should not be able to fly. Equally logic-defying is how Wright-Jackson can run so smoothly yet walk so, well, old-man-like. "My parents, my cousins, everybody in my family, said I walk like my grand-daddy," Wright-Jackson said. "I like the way I walk. It's deceptive. It's like, 'Look, he's tired.' Then all of a sudden I run." Wright-Jackson has spent time working on his running stride. At close to 6 feet 2, his legs are long targets for would-be tacklers. Since the end of last season, he has worked on running lower and strengthening his legs. His training includes plyometrics ("jumping on boxes for explosion"), lunges, calf-raises and squat lifts. "I'm trying to get my legs stronger, toner," he said. "I want to get them conditioned." Against Florida, Wright-Jackson led the Warriors in post-catch running (average of 11.75 yards) and after-the-hit yards (average of 7.75 per catch). With Daniel Libre not expected to play because of a sprained right ankle, Wright-Jackson should get more carries. Kealoha Pilares moved from slotback to help with the worker shortage, but the Warriors have bigger plans for him as a hybrid runner-receiver. Against Florida, the Warriors showed a different look by throwing shovel passes to the slotbacks.

AhSoon also is a temporary solution at left tackle while Laupepa Letuli mends from a shoulder injury. AhSoon started all 13 games at left tackle last season, but is better suited for guard.

HAWAI'I DEFENSE

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

LE—94 David Veikune 6-3 265 Sr.

LT—93 Keala Watson 6-3 320 Sr.

RT—99 Josh Leonard 6-3 305 Sr.

RE—58 John Fonoti 6-2 255 Jr.

LLB—44 Adam Leonard 6-0 235 Sr.

MLB—13 Brashton Satele 6-1 255 Jr.

RLB—17 Solomon Elimimian 6-0 225 Sr.

LCB/NB—2 Ryan Mouton 5-10 175 Sr.

FS—35 Keao Monteilh 5-11 200 Sr.

SS—7 Erik Robinson 5-10 200 Sr.

NS—Desmond Thomas 6-2 170 Sr.

RCB—23 Calvin Roberts 5-11 175 Sr.

NCB—Jameel Dowling 6-3 200 Sr.

Outlook: Roberts has played well enough to earn his first career start in the regular package (4-3-4 alignment). When the Warriors go to the Okie (3-3-5) and 45 (4-2-5) schemes, Mouton moves to nickelback and Dowling enters as a cornerback. Now the Warriors have added a new twist: Thomas, who replaces Robinson in most passing situations involving five defensive backs. Thomas essentially gives the Warriors a second agile safety. "He's a veteran," said associate head coach Rich Miano, who coordinates the defensive secondary. "He knows what to do."

Veikune played superbly against Florida, and was a key in stopping the Gators' perimeter attack on run-option plays. Veikune is the Warriors' best pass rusher, but his ability to bracket offenses will most improve his stock as a pro prospect.

HAWAI'I SPECIALISTS

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

PK—86 Dan Kelly 6-3 225 Sr.

P/H—49 Tim Grasso 5-11 210 Sr.

LS—57 Jake Ingram 6-4 235 Sr.

KR—2 Ryan Mouton 5-10 175 Sr.

KR—89 Malcolm Lane 6-1 180 Jr.

KR—7 Jovonte Taylor 5-9 185 Jr.

PR—5 Michael Washington 5-7 175 Sr.

Outlook: The Warriors have employed several kick-return strategies in recent years. But Ikaika Malloe, UH's first-year special teams coordinator, prefers the 5-2-2-2 scheme, with two speedy returners at the goal line, and defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga and defensive end Victor Clore at the 15. "I always like bigger guys on the wedge," Malloe said. "Hopefully, we can get the size matchup with bigger guys blocking smaller guys."

The drawback, of course, is the possibility Meatoga or Clore will have to field a kickoff. "Those big guys catch kicks every day," Malloe said. "If we have to catch (the short kicks), we'll catch them. They're big, but they're athletic guys. They could easily play tight end." Of the possibility of returning a kickoff, Meatoga, who is 305 pounds, said: "That would be cool. I'll just cover up the ball and run."

Visit Tsai's blog at http://hawaiiwarriorbeat.com.