For the University of Hawai'i defense, the writing is on the wall — in both the figurative and literal senses.

Jerry Glanville, now at Portland State, was credited with instilling a slugger's mentality in two seasons as UH's defensive coordinator. Last year, the Warriors were 17th in forcing turnovers. But they ranked 93rd (out of 119 Division I-A teams) in total defense and 105th against the pass.

"We want to build on the good things that we did last year," said Greg McMackin, who returns as defensive coordinator after an eight-year sabbatical at Texas Tech and the San Francisco 49ers. "What we want to do defensively is set the bar high. We want to play at a high level and continue to improve."

McMackin crafted 10 goals that he posted in each of the defensive meeting rooms. At the top of the list is "to score."

"We want to be one of the top-scoring defenses, or we want to set up our offense to score," McMackin said.

McMackin starts each practice with interception drills, in which cornerbacks run pass routes. There are specific drills on scooping fumbles and where to set up blocks on interception or fumble returns.

As he did in 1999, when he was on Jones' first staff, McMackin installed a 4-3 scheme designed to speed up the defense.

The two defensive tackles are required to use their strength to control the interior linemen and recede the line of scrimmage. McMackin refers to the defensive tackle position as "gold."

"Gold is important," McMackin said. "It's classy. It shows a lot of style. It's what we build on. If we didn't have gold, we can't run this defense."

The nine other defenders are on blitz alert. "Those guys," defensive tackle Michael Lafaele said, "are platinum. Platinum is more valuable than gold."

Despite multiple-blitz packages, the emphasis, McMackin said, is "to control the run. That's our goal going into the game, any game."

Against the scouts, the defense will work on countering running schemes, such as two tight end formations. Against the pass, the defense practices against the nation's No. 1 offense. "You're not going to get a better look from anybody in the country," McMackin said.

NORTHERN COLORADO OFFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

WR—5 Andy Birkel 6-2 200 Sr.

WR—86 James Caprioli 6-0 175 Jr.

LT—73 Jacob Tornbrue 6-6 320 Jr.

LG—66 Chris Jones 6-2 285 So.

C—61 Jake Gable 6-3 295 Sr.

RG—63 James Zapp 6-5 315 So.

RT—78 Eric Christensen 6-5 290 Jr.

TE—84 Clint Wright 6-5 250 Sr.

WR—7 Cory Fauver 5-9 185 Jr.

QB—14 Dominic Breazeale 6-6 260 Sr.

FB—33 Dan Freismuth 6-1 210 Fr.

TB—21 David Woods 5-8 210 Jr.

Outlook: First-year coordinator Dennis Darnell, who taught the option while working under Dennis Franchione at New Mexico, is in charge of the offensive makeover. The Bears will run speed options — a keep-it-or-pitch-it decision Breazeale will make on sprints to the perimeter — and use Wright more as a receiver out of double-tight-end formations.

Gable, last year's starting guard, is the key blocker in what Darnell calls a "power-spread" offense that also employs traps.

"I think we're going into the game trying a little bit of everything," said the 260-pound Breazeale, who is better throwing on the move.

Darnell said: "Anything we think can fit in the system, and we can teach, we'll put in. I'd like to know a little bit more about the run-and-shoot ..."

The leading returning running back, Jeff Vaden (three carries for nine yards), is recovering from a slightly separated right shoulder. He won't start, but might be available if the injury is not troublesome during warmups.

NORTHERN COLORADO DEFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

LE—96 John Eddy 6-3 240 So.

LT—56 Vinny Pallone 6-0 300 Sr.

RT—50 Ben Sibert 6-4 270 Sr.

RE—90 Joe Silipo 6-3 245 Fr.

SLB—41 Casey Herron 6-2 210 Jr.

MLB—22 Christian Sarmento 6-1 220 Jr.

WLB—47 Joe Kenney 6-1 205 Jr.

CB—4 Myles Hayes 6-0 180 Jr.

FS—39 Stephen Michon 5-10 180 So.

ROV—26 D.J. Craft 6-0 205 Sr.

CB—10 Quincy Wofford 6-2 180 So.

Outlook: The Bears insist they will open in a 4-3 alignment, but it is doubtful they will remain in it for very long. Korey Askew will be used — often — as the nickelback. The Bears also have plans to use a sixth defensive back.

Mark Rodden, last year's starting offensive left guard, moved to bolster a thin defensive line. But as one hole was filled, two more were created. Strongside linebacker Asa Matthews will not play because he did not complete summer-session work before the team-imposed deadline. Cornerback Aaron Henderson won't play because of a torn meniscus. Wofford replaces Henderson.

NO. COLORADO SPECIALISTS

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

P—19 Rafael Mendoza 6-1 230 Sr.

K—40 Zak Bigelow 6-0 200 Fr.

H—86 Jason Caprioli 6-0 175 Jr.

SS—73 Jacob Thornbrue 6-6 320 Jr.

LS—90 Joe Silipo 6-3 245 Fr.

Outlook: The Bears' special teams gained unwanted attention when Mendoza was stabbed in his kicking leg last September. Last month, a former UNC punter was convicted of second-degree assault. Mendoza, who resumed punting last year, is healthy.

The focus now is on the placekicking. Bigelow has struggled to boom kickoffs, which could be a problem because the tee has been moved back 5 yards.

HAWAI'I OFFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

LWO—84 Jason Rivers 6-2 189 Sr.

LSB—7 Davone Bess 5-10 195 Jr.

LT—62 Keith AhSoon 6-1 315 Jr.

LG—65 Hercules Satele 6-2 293 Sr.

C—55 John Estes 6-2 292 So

RG—73 Larry Sauafea 6-2 294 Sr.

RT—78 Keoni Steinhoff 6-3 282 Jr.

RSB—1 Ryan Grice-Mullins 5-11 180 Jr.

RWO—2 C.J. Hawthorne 5-11 168 Sr.

QB—15 Colt Brennan 6-3 201 Sr.

RB—48 David Farmer 6-1 224 Jr.

RB—21 Keaoha Pilares 5-11 190 Fr.

RB—4 Leon Wright-Jackson 6-1 220 So.

Outlook: Not only did Brennan complete an NCAA-best 72.6 percent of his passes last year, he was nearly 50 percent on deep throws (20 yards from the line of scrimmage) and perfect on all but two shovel passes. Even head coach June Jones, who recently studied cut-up videos of shovel passes, marveled at how Brennan, while moving laterally, was able to repeatedly thread passes between defenders.

While the speedy Hawthorne (4.45 seconds in the 40) will improve the vertical-passing attack, it is the shovel pass that will keep defenses honest. The key is for the running back to convince defenses he will act as a backfield blocker. The running back then runs laterally, behind the wall of blockers, to catch what is described as a forward lateral. "You have to read the defense, and Colt has to read you," Pilares said.

The offensive line is settled with tackles AhSoon on the left and Steinhoff on the right. Estes, who moves from right guard, said he misses being involved in "Tampa," a running play in which the backside guard pulls to the front side. "I love that play," Satele said. "It's like you're the running back. You see the hole and you hit." Pilares said following Satele on Tampa Right is "like being in a car. I feel safe."

HAWAI'I DEFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

LE—54 Amani Purcell 6-4 277 Sr.

LT—96 Fale Laeli 6-1 292 Jr.

RT—67 Michael Lafaele 6-1 302 Sr.

RE—12 Karl Noa 6-4 251 Sr.

LLB—43 Brad Kalilimoku 5-10 221 Sr.

MLB—17 Solomon Elimimian 5-11 218 Jr.

RLB—44 Adam Leonard 6-0 236 Jr.

LCB—23 Gerard Lewis 5-9 179 Sr.

LS/NB—Keao Monteilh 5-11 193 Jr.

LS—17 Desmond Thomas 6-3 174 Jr.

RS—31 Jacob Patek 6-0 204 Sr.

RCB—3 Myron Newberry 5-9 174 Sr.

Outlook: The Warriors have three defensive schemes — regular (4-3), Oky (3-3) and nickel (4-2) — all of which require the defensive tackles to overpower the interior linemen. "This isn't like the 3-4, where you read the line," Laeli said. "We have to be fast and quick right after the snap." Lafaele said McMackin's instructions were simple: "Pin our ears back and kick the guy's butt. Get a hand on them, push them back, move the line of scrimmage, disrupt the running game."

The defensive linemen also have mastered the club, an uppercut to the shoulder pads. "It's all in the hips," Lafaele said. "That's where the power comes from."

Several of the linemen took boxing lessons this summer. Lafaele is a brown belt in karate.

Kalilimoku, who can bench press 450 pounds and run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds, replaces injured Blaze Soares at linebacker.

HAWAI'I SPECIALISTS

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

PK—86 Dan Kelly 6-3 212 Jr.

LS/DS—57 Jake Ingram 6-4 234 Jr.

P/H—45 Tim Grasso 5-11 221 Jr.

KR—84 Jason Rivers 6-2 189 Sr.

KR—27 Ryan Mouton 5-10 182 Jr.

PR—7 Davone Bess 5-10 195 Jr.

Outlook: As good as Kelly has been driving kickoffs 5 yards deep in the end zone, he's been even better on quick-spinning onside kicks.

Bess said he has studied videos of Chicago's Devin Hester. "I went on Youtube to see the little things that he does," Bess said. "I try to apply it to my game."

Bess already has the punt returner's mentality. "If you go back there and worry about getting hit or dropping the ball, things are going to be bad," he said. "You have to go out there and be confident."

Visit Tsai's blog at www.hawaiiwarriorbeat.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.