The Hawai'i football team yesterday had its final two-hour workout in preparation for the stretch run that begins with tomorrow's nationally-televised game against Fresno State.

Although there will be a walk-through practice this afternoon, the Warriors completed their game plan for FSU during yesterday's grueling two hours of drills.

The 16th-ranked (BCS) Warriors are seeking, in order, a victory over arch-rival FSU, a Western Athletic Conference title and an unbeaten regular season.

The Warriors' first eight opponents are a combined 19-56; none has a winning record. The final four opponents —FSU, Nevada, Boise State and Washington — are 22-14.

"It feels like we have a four-game schedule this year, and that's the four teams coming up," UH quarterback Colt Brennan said. "We've got to win all four. That's what we're focusing on right now. One week at a time, four weeks to go, starting with Fresno this Saturday."

UH defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said none of the final four is a finesse opponent.

"These are all four tough games," McMackin said. "They're going to be physical mothers. It's time to strap it up, baby."

The Warriors (8-0) will not be at full strength. Head coach June Jones has ruled out running back Kealoha Pilares (sprained right knee) and defensive end Francis Maka (fractured left fibula). Free safety Keao Monteilh (fractured left shoulder blade) won't play the rest of the regular season. Linebacker Rustin Saole (strained medial collateral ligament in his left knee) said he will need at least another week of physical rehabilitation.

Blaze Soares, who is regarded as a No. 1 linebacker, has not practiced this week because of recurring problem with his left shoulder. He underwent medical tests yesterday afternoon.

"He'll play," Jones said.

As for the injury list, which grew during the bye week, Jones said: "We'll be all right. We'll play who we play."

GRICE-MULLINS ON ROLL

Right slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins produced one of the best back-to-back games in Jones' nine seasons as UH head coach. Against San Jose State and New Mexico State, Grice-Mullins amassed 27 catches for 370 yards and four touchdowns.

In those two games, his post-catch average was 7.52 yards, raising his yards-after-catch (YAC) average to 6.9, best among the UH receivers.

In the process, Grice-Mullins has emerged as Brennan's favorite receiver. Brennan threw 37 passes in Grice-Mullins' direction in those two games.

"I like him because he has such unbelievable speed," Brennan said. "He's such a weapon to get the ball to quick and fast. He's a guy, if you get the ball to him in the open and he has a chance to turn up, he's going to make a big play."

Jones said Grice-Mullins' quick-cut ability makes it difficult to defend him with single coverages.

Grice-Mullins jokingly credits his dance skills, noting he would be a willing contestant on "Dancing With the Stars."

But Grice-Mullins' agility, in fact, comes from hours training in box-jumping and ladder drills. The workouts could be set up with a trip to the hardware store.

To strengthen his legs, Grice-Mullins will jump on and off a wooden box.

The "ladder" is ropes formed into squares, and the participant navigates as if it were a hopscotch path.

Before every play, Grice-Mullins multi-tasks. UH receivers run routes based on the defensive coverage. Grice-Mullins not only analyzes the defense, he also visualizes his post-catch route.

What's most impressive is Grice-Mullins' ability to always move forward — "north-south" skills, in football parlance.

"Even when I play around in practice, I might juke, but I'm always moving upfield," Grice-Mullins said. "I figure you get more yardage that way."

TWO TO GET MORE TIME

Monteilh's injury opened the way for Desmond Thomas to start at free safety and Ryan Mouton to become the full-time nickelback. Monteilh had doubled as the nickelback.

Of the Warriors' four defenses, three utilize a fifth defensive back. In the traditional role, the nickelback is a third cornerback, assigned to the speedy slot receiver.

But UH has schemes in which the nickelback serves as a linebacker — sometimes covering a tight end, sometimes sneaking into the tackle box as a blitzer.

There are few doubts Mouton, who has run 40 yards in 4.29 seconds, is fast enough to be a cover defender. The coaches insist 5-foot-10, 182-pound Mouton is physical enough to play near the line of scrimmage.

"Mouton is a football player," McMackin said. "I've got all kinds of confidence in him. He has great instincts. He has great vision. He can do it all. He can do any type of coverage we want."

Rich Miano, who coaches the defensive backs, said sure tacklers rely on leverage instead of size.

"He's a good technician," Miano said. "He bends his knees. He has a good base. He wraps up. He understands angles and getting to the hitting point. He's a good fundamental football player."

Mouton has recovered fully from a sprained knee that forced him to miss two games.

FINALE AT 6:30 P.M.

The Dec. 1 regular-season finale against Washington will start at 6:30 p.m. to accommodate ESPN, which is showing the game nationally.

The usual start for a UH home game is 6:05 p.m.

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

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.