Don't adjust the view.

In Hawai'i football practices this week, punt blockers are lining up closer than usual.

It is all part of a plan to help the Warriors prepare for Saturday's game against Fresno State, a team known for relentless punt- and kick-blocking tactics.

The Bulldogs have four blocks this season, and 74 in Pat Hill's 11 years as FSU head coach.

"They understand the importance of special teams," said Dennis McKnight, who helps coordinate the Warriors' specialists. "They emphasize it. They don't give it lip service. When they practice it, they practice it at full speed. They attack all the way. Like I tell our guys: 'You will play Saturday night the way you practice Monday through Thursday.' You can tell watching them on film they practice hard Monday through Thursday."

To prepare for an all-out rush, the perimeter defenders were aligned a step inside the offense's side during UH's punt and kick drills yesterday.

"The coaches are making it harder on us," long-snapper Jake Ingram said. "The scout team is bringing it. They line up offsides. They come to us faster than if we were in a game."

Most teams set a snap-to-punt goal of under 2 seconds. The Warriors have been able to perform the snap-catch-punt sequence in as quick as 1.6 seconds.

"The faster you go, the farther they're away from you, and it's less likely to get blocked," punter Tim Grasso said.

Most punt defenses have to pick a poison: go for the block or set up a return. The Bulldogs have found the formula to fuse both. They are ninth nationally in punt returns with an average of 16.2 yards.

The Warriors, meanwhile, are ranked 118th (out of 119 Division I-A teams) in punt defense, relinquishing an average of 19.5 yards per return. They are 116th in net punting, averaging 29.9 yards per punt play.

"We have to do our job," said UH kicker Dan Kelly, who has had a difficulty history against the Bulldogs.

When Kelly was a freshman in 2005, the Bulldogs blocked a field-goal attempt and a point-after kick. In last year's game, the Bulldogs blocked two of Kelly's PATs.

"We've shot ourselves in the foot — whether it's me kicking a low kick, not covering the ball right, not doing our jobs," Kelly said. "They have, yes, great special teams. They capitalize on mistakes. That's what great special teams do. We've given them many mistakes to capitalize on over the last two years.

"We have to not make mistakes in our kicking game," Kelly added. "If we don't make any mistakes, that takes out their weapon, and their weapon is their special teams."

The Warriors spent extra time on team kicking drills yesterday. The two wings who serve as perimeter blockers received extensive work against full-speed rushes.

"I just have to go out there and submit the block," left wing Cameron Allen-Jones said.

Timo Paepule, who protects the right side on placekicks, said: "The main thing is to knock (rushers off course). We don't worry about Jake (Ingram) or Tim (Grasso). Jake's snaps and Tim's holds are always perfect."

Kelly also said his leg strength has improved. Even with the tee moved back 5 yards, to the 30, Kelly was booting kickoffs into the end zone during preseason workouts. But during the season, his average kickoff is reaching the 6. He has induced five touchbacks in 68 kickoffs.

"It was me going through a little slump," Kelly said. "I'm getting a little better. The break sure helped. Now it's getting back into the swing of things."

LAUMOLI IN RB MIX

Jason Laumoli might join the rotation at running back.

Kealoha Pilares, Leon Wright-Jackson and David Farmer have split time as the lone back in the four-wide offense this season. But Pilares is expected to miss Saturday's game because of a sprained right knee.

Head coach June Jones said Daniel Libre will be part of the rotation against Fresno State. But Laumoli, who is 5 feet 10 and 287 pounds, also has practiced with the first team.

Laumoli would provide depth as a back-field blocker. The Bulldogs have an aggressive pass rush.

"The coaches are giving me a chance to showcase," Laumoli said. "I can't ask for more than that."

Laumoli has played in three games this season. He has four carries for 15 yards, all in the fourth quarter of blowout wins.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.