Hawaii, Louisiana Tech square off in WAC opener

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii coach Greg McMackin and Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Dykes have nothing but respect for each other and each other's programs.

But the two former Texas Tech assistants will put aside their friendship Saturday night when the Warriors (2-2) host the Bulldogs in the Western Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

"You talk before the game and after the game, but during the game, you're not friends," McMackin said.

The two served together as assistants at Texas Tech from 2000 to 2002. McMackin was the defensive coordinator and Dykes was the receivers coach.

"I knew he was the kind of guy who was going to be a head coach someday," McMackin said. "I know he'll do a great job at Louisiana Tech."

The Bulldogs (1-3) are looking to get back on track after losing their third straight. They'll be challenged by the Warriors' offense, which leads the nation in passing with 405.5 yards per game.

"They're playing extremely well on offense right now," Dykes said. "It's going to be a challenge going over there and playing."

Warriors quarterback Bryant Moniz seems to get a better grasp of the run-and-shoot offense every week. He tied a school-record with six first-half touchdowns in last week's 66-7 win over Charleston Southern.

While the Warriors can rack up the points and yardage, the key is playing a complete game. The team has jumped out to big leads in the first half but failed to maintain its intensity, focus and steam in the second.

"As soon as we can put together two halves, I don't see us losing any more ball games," said Moniz, who threw for a career-high 395 yards against Charleston Southern. "First half and second half are two different stories."

Hawaii linebacker Corey Paredes, who ranks second nationally in tackles with 13.2 per game, said the defense needs to come out strong in the third quarter.

"The key to success for Saturday is finishing in the third quarter," he said. "Come out hitting in the first half and keep going after halftime. That's the big key to winning."

Dykes is looking for consistency from the quarterback position after shuffling through several of them. Steven Ensminger, who was named the starter during the summer, got sick and has not returned to his original form. Ross Jenkins started the first game of the season, and Colby Cameron started the next three.

Cameron struggled in last week's loss to Southern Mississippi and was benched for junior college transfer Tarik Hakmi, who will start against Hawaii after beginning the season fourth on the depth chart.

Dykes said he always thought Hakmi could compete for the starting job, even from the start, but he had a shoulder situation that kept him from getting the number of reps.

"He's healthier now and I think he gives us a strong presence, stronger personality and some confidence at that position, which is something we've been lacking," Dykes said.

Dykes said the road trip will test his team's ability to focus. Louisiana Tech has lost its last eight road games dating back to Nov. 22, 2008.

He said his team is mentally tougher than it was two or three weeks ago.

"But again, Hawaii will test that. They're playing well and we're going to have to score a bunch of points to have a chance to win the game and we haven't been able to do that at any point this year," Dykes said.

Last year in Ruston, the Bulldogs outscored the Warriors 17-0 in the second half en route to a 27-6 victory. Louisiana Tech gained 352 yards on the ground behind running back Daniel Porter, who rushed for a career-high 160 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns.

However, Louisiana Tech is 0-4 in Honolulu.