LAS CRUCES, N.M. — If Kealoha Pilares' tender right foot was hurting, it was hard to tell through his performance or the smile on his face.

Pilares not only returned to the field for the first time since spraining the foot in the Boise State game three weeks ago, but made an eye-opening starting debut at slotback in the University of Hawai'i's 42-30 win over New Mexico State yesterday.

Pilares caught a game-high 10 passes for 90 yards, including a touchdown pass.

"We sure missed Kealoha," UH coach Greg McMackin said. "Boy, it was nice to have him back."

And, Pilares was glad to be of help.

"It was good to be back with the boys," he said. "Especially after having to watch and not being able to do anything last week. I really looked forward to this (game)."

Pilares stood on the sidelines in street clothes last week at Utah State, where UH suffered a 30-14 upset.

But with Pilares back on the field and in the slot, it helped open things up for Daniel Libre, his replacement at running back.

Libre carried 13 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns. It was the most yards rushing by a Warrior since 2006. Libre's 48-yard bolt in the first quarter was the longest of his two-year UH career.

"The line made it real easy and the receivers worked real hard on making some good blocks," said Libre, who has taken over the position since Pilares got hurt.

"Both those guys have done a great job," McMackin said.

"Where ever we put Kealoha he's going to be a threat and if the running game is working, they can't key on him," Libre said.

Pilares said he likes the slotback assignment, "but I'll play where ever they need me. Just being out there again was great."

The open date this week before the Nov. 22 Idaho game should help Pilares get his foot healthy.

"It still hurts a little," he said. "It limited me doing some things, but, overall, it held up pretty good."

REFUNDS SHOULD COME FOR PPV PURCHASERS

Pay-per-view purchasers who missed approximately four minutes of the first quarter of the game are expected to get a rebate from operators.

Oceanic Time Warner Cable, which distributes the games in conjunction with KFVE and UH, were in discussions yesterday about how much relief would be offered.

It is the second time this season there has been a malfunction that caused subscribers to miss part of a UH football game.

Yesterday's problems were attributed to satellite connections, according to people familiar with the discussions.

MAKA MAKING SOLID IMPRESSION ON DEFENSE

Senior defensive lineman Francis Maka, who won an eligibility appeal and rejoined the Warriors Oct. 9 after missing the first five games of the season, is making his 6-foot-2, 265-pound presence felt.

Maka was in on six tackles, including one sack and two tackles for losses, in his starting debut. Maka, who was originally a defensive end, was switched to defensive tackle this week to take advantage of his quickness.

The NCAA appeals process that granted the walk-on a sixth year took more than eight months, during which he served as a student manager and was not allowed to practice.

REPLACEMENT JOSH RICE GETS IN ON THE ACTION

Reserve special teams performer Josh Rice, who joined the team on the road earlier in the week as a replacement player, had a solo tackle.

He took Mana Silva's place on the 64-man roster after Silva suffered a sprained left ankle.