SPOKANE, Wash. — Washington State and Hawaii have played only four times in the past 84 years. But Washington State plays the Warriors for the second time in three games on Saturday at Qwest Field in Seattle.

A lot has changed since Hawaii beat WSU 24-10 in the regular season finale on Nov. 29.

The Warriors (1-0) graduated many players from a team that qualified for a bowl game, and they struggled to win their season opener. Washington State (0-1) coaches and players claim much improvement since the Hawaii loss ended one of the worst seasons in team history, but they need a win to validate that contention.

"We're showing definite signs of responding," WSU coach Paul Wulff said, referring to the season-opening 39-13 loss to Stanford.

The Hawaii game and next weekend's home game against Southern Methodist are seen as WSU's best chances for an early win this season.

Hawaii had to come back from a 17-point deficit to beat Central Arkansas of the FCS 25-20 in their first game.

The Warriors are led by quarterback Greg Alexander, who threw for 304 yards and rushed for 76 against Central Arkansas. Receiver Greg Salas caught seven passes for 180 yards.

Second-year Hawaii coach Greg McMackin said it took until the second half for his young team to get untracked.

"I felt real good about the way they finished," he said.

Hawaii's next three games are on the road, longest such stretch since 1964.

McMackin also believes WSU looks better this year.

"The offensive line has improved," McMackin said.

This is WSU's annual "home" game in Seattle, where the school has some 60,000 alumni.

Seattle holds a special place in the lore of Hawaii football. The last time the Warriors played there, they upset heavily favored Washington 10-7 in the 1973 season opener. It is one of the greatest wins in the program's 100-year history, and they moved up to Division I the following year.

All four of WSU's previous games against Hawaii were played in Honolulu, and the series is split 2-2.

The Warriors are one of the winningest teams this decade, and have been to bowl games seven times in the past 10 years.

"They like to throw the ball and use the run and shoot concept," Wulff said, expecting Hawaii to use basically the same offense the Cougars faced just two games ago. "They always have the ability to make some big plays."

A few big plays doomed the Cougars against Stanford.

Senior Kevin Lopina will start at quarterback, but will give way to sophomore Marshall Lobbestael if he falters, Wulff said. Neither player has staked a firm grip on the starting job, he said.

Dwight Tardy and James Montgomery anchor a revived WSU rushing attack.

The team has had at least 16 players struck by a swine flu outbreak on campus. Two players, including top receiver Daniel Blackledge, missed practice time this week because of the flu.