The University of Hawai'i has a rare football team whose most consistent player has a job with an upside-down view, a scholarship recipient used as a back-row kick blocker, and a personal blocker for the kick returner.

The little things added up to a big 32-29 upset of No. 22 Fresno State Saturday, the first road victory over a nationally ranked opponent in the program's history.

Head coach Greg McMackin praised role players such as long-snapper Jake Ingram, kick-blocker Antwan "Tua" Mahaley and specialist Spencer Smith.

"That's what's important to us — knowing your role and fitting in," McMackin said. "That's why we're able to hang together. There were a lot of guys who were backups who played in that ballgame. We probably played 20 guys on defense. Our special teams had different guys who were playing. Most of the 64 guys that we took had a part in that victory."

Ingram is emerging as the Warriors' most dependable player. His quick and accurate snaps helped Dan "The Iceman" Kelly set a personal best of four field goals. (The one that was blocked could be traced to a breakdown in the protection.)

The Warriors are one of the few teams that give scholarships to players whose only job is to long snap.

Mahaley also has found a way onto the field. He was a tight end in high school, a position that does not exist in the Warriors' four-wide offense. Unable to ascend the depth chart as a wideout, Mahaley moved to defensive end last year.

This year, Mahaley was asked to play back-row kick blocker. Aligned as essentially a middle linebacker, Mahaley relies on the defensive line to create a push before soaring. Mahaley, who is 6 feet 4, has long arms and is capable of a 33-inch vertical jump.

To many teams, a back-row kick blocker is a luxury on a limited travel roster; to the Warriors, it is a necessity.

"Tua has a great attitude," McMackin said. "He's smart. He works hard. There has to be a place for a player like that. We can use guys like that."

Mahaley blocked Fresno State kicker Kevin Goessling's field-goal attempt in the final minute, forcing overtime.

"We found him a role," McMackin said, "and then he goes out and helps us win a ballgame."

Even before that, McMackin said, Mahaley earned his way onto other special-team units.

"From that one role, he found more and more responsibilities," McMackin said.

Smith was a central figure in the Warriors' change in kick-return strategy. Through the first four games, they had two deep returners. Against Fresno State, Ryan Mouton was the lone deep returner. Smith was aligned at the 15. His job was to block Desia Dunn — the Bulldogs' head-hunter on kickoffs — and help Mouton get to the wedge of blockers. Mouton scored on a 90-yard kickoff return.

"We had to get the wedge tighter to the returner, and we did that," McMackin said.

That scheme, implemented and tested in a week, showed that the assistant coaches are thorough teachers and the players are quick learners.

"That's what coaching is all about — making adjustments and putting players in position to make plays," McMackin said. "I give both the (assistant) coaches and the players great credit."

McMackin said the defensive coaches emphasize so-called fire drills in which interception returns are choreographed. The defense also works on catching passes and stripping the football from ball-carriers.

The defense starts every practice working 20 minutes on fire drills. It paid off: middle linebacker Brashton Satele had an interception return Saturday.

The Warriors entered the game last in the nation in turnover margin (17 giveways, two takeaways). They forced six Fresno State turnovers — three interceptions, three fumbles.