EL PASO, Texas — Multi-talented Ryan Mouton is returning to defense ... well, mostly.

After two games of playing primarily an offensive role for the University of Hawai'i football team as a slotback, Mouton is expected to see most of his action Saturday at cornerback against New Mexico State.

Mouton was back on defense yesterday as the Warriors worked out at an El Paso high school and head coach Greg McMackin said that was by design. "I mean they (the Aggies) have an excellent passing game and we're going to need him," McMackin said.

The Aggies are 10th among 119 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A) teams in passing at 298 yards per game and quarterback Chase Holbrook ranks 10th at 256 yards per game.

Playing sparingly on defense the last two games because of his new offensive role, Mouton had just one tackle in each of the Nevada and Utah State games. He had 27 in six previous games and leads the Warriors in passes broken up with five.

But McMackin said there would still be an offensive place for Mouton. "He would still have a little package (of plays) on offense but he will focus on defense," McMackin said.

Mouton had five receptions for 58 yards in his slotback debut against Nevada, but just three for 13 yards in the 30-14 loss at Utah State.

PILARES HOBBLES OFF

There was concern yesterday about the condition of running back/slotback Kealoha Pilares, who "tweaked" his ailing right foot late in practice.

Pilares has been out of the last two games since spraining the foot at Boise State. He looked good until late in the session yesterday when he said he felt a twinge after making a cut. He hobbled off the field and sat out the remainder of practice with an ice bag.

"Hopefully, it'll be OK," Pilares said.

McMackin said, "I asked him, 'Are you OK,' and he said, 'Yeah, I'm fine, coach.' "

Daniel Libre has started in Pilares' place at running back since the Boise State game and McMackin said Leon Wright-Jackson and David Farmer will see more time.

"Leon will get a shot in there," McMackin said. "We're gonna give him a chance to see what he can do and, hopefully, he'll take the ball and run with it."

Wright-Jackson, who has had a declining role, carried twice against Nevada and did not play against Utah State.

BACKUP FLIES IN

Josh Rice flew in from Ho-nolulu just in time to run at practice yesterday.

Rice, a redshirt junior linebacker-special teams performer from Las Vegas, is the replacement for defensive back-special teams performer Mana Silva, who sprained an ankle against Utah State and was not going to be available for Saturday's game.

McMackin said Rice was was the next man up on the depth chart and will see action primarily on special teams. He has appeared in two games this season.

McMackin greeted him with: "Hello, international traveler."

Rice said he slept most of the way.

BATTLE IN SECONDARY

Seniors Keao Monteilh and Desmond Thomas continue to compete for the starting free safety position.

"We're going to let them compete this week," McMackin said. "We're going to play five DBs, so they'll all play."

Monteilh started the first eight games this season but Thomas got the nod against Utah State.

POLITICAL FOOTBALL

Some of the players took advantage of free time to follow the election results last night.

"We've been talking about the issues and the candidates (for president) some," said linebacker Adam Leonard. "These are issues that are going to have an impact on us in the real world as we enter the work force."

Slotback Michael Washington said he voted absentee from his home state of Pennsylvania. "There's been talk about the election in the locker room but it is kind of like religion, we don't get into each other's (choices) too much."

A slight sampling suggested that less than half the players found time to vote, however. Several said they had planned to but with the hectic pace of school and back-to-back road trips were not able to cast ballots before leaving Oct. 30.