Tonight's college-football opponents — UNLV and Hawai'i — are twins who dress alike but have polar personalities.

Each gives the appearance of a four-receiver offensive formation.

But while UH coach June Jones' schemes are designed for passing plays, UNLV coach Mike Sanford said, "Ours is, I would say, more run-oriented, more option-football-oriented."

Both head coaches have received writing credits for their offenses.

UH's four-wide offense is a distant relative of Glenn "Tiger" Ellison's run-and-shoot passing attack. Mouse Davis — Jones' mentor and now a UH assistant coach — developed his version of the run-and-shoot during a lengthy college and pro coaching career. Jones took concepts from several systems, including Davis', to create the four-wide offense now operated at UH. The goal of Jones' read-and-attack offense is to find mismatches in the passing lanes.

Sanford and Urban Meyer, now Florida's head coach, developed the concept of the four-wide, spread-option offense when both were Notre Dame assistants.

They reunited at Utah in 2003, where they implemented their dream offense. By 2004, the Utes had one of the nation's most productive offenses, and quarterback Alex Smith was building a resume that would earn him the No. 1 selection in the 2005 National Football League draft. After that, Meyer went to Florida and Sanford was hired to build UNLV's program.

Here's a closer look:

UNLV OFFENSE

HT. WT. YR.

WR—11 Justin Marvel 6-0 180 So.

SB—88 Ryan Wolfe 6-1 200 Fr.

LT—77 Chris Bowser 6-6 290 Sr.

LG—55 Tim Goins 6-4 285 Jr.

C—54 Aaron Mueller 6-2 290 Sr.

RG—74 Mike McKiski 6-6 310 Jr.

RT—70 Marco Guerra 6-5 335 Sr.

WR—80 Casey Flair 6-1 190 So.

SB—17 Renan Saint Preux 6-1 185 So.

QB—3 Rocky Hinds 6-5 220 So.

TB—26 Erick Jackson 5-6 185 Sr.

Outlook: The key is Hinds, a former USC quarterback who exited last week's game early in the second quarter. An MRI showed a minor sprained right knee. Hinds did not practice Monday or Tuesday, but by Wednesday he was back at the controls. Hinds is fast — 10.4 seconds over 100 meters — and skilled in running a two-man option with Jackson, the trailing back. Despite his elusiveness and breakaway potential, Hinds rushed six times in the opener two weeks ago, and the Rebels are hesitant to send him on draws. Most of his runs are to the perimeter.

Hinds also is an accurate passer, and more often than not, he will remain in the pocket. His favorite targets are Flair, who aligns wide right, and Wolfe, a one-time UH recruit. Wolfe is expected to face free safety Leonard Peters, UH's tri-captain. Eric Wright, the Rebels' best cover defender, has practiced at wideout this week.

In this offense, all but one receiver runs a predetermined route. There is one, usually the lone Wolfe, who will react to the coverage.

"I love this offense," said Hinds, who left USC after a year. "We have so many different options. The best thing, for me, is the combination of being able to run and throw."

UNLV DEFENSE

DE—9 Jeremy Geathers 6-2 245 So.

NG—94 Howie Fuimaono 6-0 335 Sr.

DE—39 Faauo Faga 6-2 260 Jr.

LB—2 Beau Bell 6-3 245 Jr.

LB—30 KC Asiodu 6-3 240 So.

LB—33 Jason Beauchamp 6-3 215 Fr.

CB—21 Eric Wright 5-11 190 Jr.

S—42 Jay Staggs 6-1 225 Sr.

S—23 Tony Cade 6-2 200 Jr.

NB—36 Nate Kenion 5-10 200 Sr.

CB—1 John Guice 5-9 180 Sr.

Outlook: The Rebels list their defensive formation as a 3-3-5, but in reality, it's a 3-4 — and very similar to UH's scheme. The difference is Kenion is labeled a nickelback, although he serves as an outside linebacker. The Rebels, like the Warriors, have multiple blitz packages.

The Rebels align their defensive linemen in a tight formation — between the offensive tackles — with Fuimaono across the center's shoulder pad, and the linebackers are stacked, about four yards behind.

The best pass-rusher, Geathers, has been hobbling because of a high sprain to his right ankle. He will play, although the extent is not known. Beauchamp, who redshirted last season, has the potential to be a menacing pass-rusher. Jacob Hales, a part-time starter at defensive end, did not make the trip because of a staph-like infection.

The defensive sleeper is Bell, and not just because his "favorite pastime is sleeping." Bell, who once slept 24 hours straight, is averaging 13.0 tackles per game.

Wright, who usually defends the wideout, is expected to match up against Davone Bess, the Warriors' best receiver. Wright and Bess attended the same football camp in high school.

UNLV SPECIALISTS

PK/KO—6 Ben Jaekle 6-1 155 Fr.

P—82 Kip Facer 6-0 200 Sr.

KR—21 Eric Wright 5-11 190 Jr.

KR—5 Mil'Von James 6-0 205 Jr.

PR—1 John Guice 5-9 180 Sr.

Outlook: Know how some guys think they can come out of the stands and play? Two weeks ago, Jaekle became one of them. When left-legged kicker Sergio Aguayo suffered ligament damage to his left knee against Idaho State, Jaekle was summoned from the bleachers as a replacement. He made a field goal and three extra-point kicks. Aguayo will not be available to play for another month.

UH OFFENSE

LW—84 Jason Rivers 6-2 192 Jr.

LW—88 Chad Mock 6-0 177 Sr.

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 6-4 305 Sr.

RSB—1 Ryan Grice-Mullins 5-11 179 So.

RW—82 Ross Dickerson 5-10 198 Sr.

RW—3 Ian Sample 5-10 196 Sr.

QB—15 Colt Brennan 6-3 196 Jr.

RB—4 Nate Ilaoa 5-9 250 Sr.

Outlook: For the first time since signing as UH head coach in 1999, Jones is going to platoon the wideouts, making substitutions every other play. "We're two deep there, and all of them have (started) games and been productive, so I feel comfortable doing it," said Jones, who is not concerned the frequent substitutions will hinder the receivers' flow.

"It gives us a chance to always be fresh out there and hopefully wear out the d-backs," Sample said. "We bring different things to the table. It will be a good way to keep (the Rebels) guessing."

The biggest boost is the return of Ilaoa, who suffered a concussion from the helmet-to-helmet hit delivered by Alabama strong safety Jeffrey Dukes. Until suffering the injury, Ilaoa's yards-after-the-catch (YAC) average was 13.0. He averaged 1.6 broken tackles per rush.

Against Alabama, Brennan completed 67 percent of his deep passes (traveling at least 20 yards downfield from the line of scrimmage).

UH DEFENSE

LE—98 Melila Purcell III 6-5 276 Sr.

NT—67 Michael Lafaele 6-0 302 Jr.

RE—91 Ikaika Alama-Francis 6-6 290 Sr.

LOLB—8 Tyson Kafentzis 6-1 230 Sr.

ILB—43 Brad Kalilimoku 5-10 213 Jr.

ILB—44 Adam Leonard 6-0 236 So.

ROLB—33 C.J. Allen-Jones 6-1 224 So.

LCB—34 A.J. Martinez 5-10 179 Jr.

FS—42 Leonard Peters 6-1 217 Sr.

SS—31 Jake Patek 6-0 202 Jr.

RCB—19 C.J. Hawthorne 5-11 161 Jr.

Outlook: Buck linebacker Solomon Elimimian, a sure tackler, will be missed. Defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville said Elimimian, suffering from a sprained right knee, has one of the team's highest football IQs. But Kalilimoku, who played the position last season, will help soften the loss. Kalilimoku is strong (bench presses more than 400 pounds) and quick (4.5 seconds over 40 yards). Even at inside linebacker, Kalilimoku is considered to be a fifth defensive back.

The Warriors are concerned about UNLV quarterback Hinds' speed and cutback running. They have tinkered with the idea of going with a quicker defensive lineup. Case in point: David Veikune, a 255-pound defensive end, might play nose tackle.

Martinez and Hawthorne will start at the corners, but Kenny Patton will play extensively. "Kenny will play as much as any corner in the game," Glanville said.

UH SPECIALISTS

PK/KO—86 Daniel Kelly 6-3 202 So.

P—25 Kurt Milne 6-0 205 Sr.

KR—82 Ross Dickerson 5-10 198 Sr.

KR—24 Kenny Patton 6-0 188 Sr.

Or Chad Mock 6-0 177 Sr.

PR—38 Myron Newberry 5-8 164 Jr.

Or 85 Aaron Bain 5-9 183 So.

Outlook: Kelly said he has recovered from a strain to his right quadriceps, an injury he incurred during the final week of training camp. "I played through it," Kelly said. "I didn't want to have the big old excuse, and not train. I got treatment two or three times a day. I made sure I really kept after it, and I tried to maintain it. I'm glad the bye week came. It gave me a chance to rest it."

Kelly believes his improved health will help his kickoffs. The distance between the tee and end zone is 65 yards, and Kelly averaged 57 yards per kickoff last year. In practices this year, his kickoffs are in flight between 66 and 70 yards.

In an effort to ease C.J. Hawthorne's workload, Newberry and Bain will handle punt returns.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.