The distance between The Swamp in Gainesville, Fla., and Aloha Stadium is about 4,670 miles.

Greg Alexander's journey from wide-eyed, opening-game starting quarterback to this past Saturday's football hero was much greater.

Head coach Greg McMackin said Alexander has benefited from quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich's tutorial sessions, and "I think it's his time now."

That was reaffirmed yesterday when Alexander was named the Western Athletic Conference's Offensive Player of the Week. In a coming-of-age second half against Nevada, Alexander completed 17 of 22 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 20 seconds to play. He was not intercepted.

"I was really impressed with his temperament and ability," McMackin said. "Nick Rolovich has done a great job of coaching the quarterbacks, and Ron (Lee, the offensive coordinator) has done a great job of calling the plays. We knew (Alexander) was getting better and better."

Of the award, the second this year to go to a UH quarterback who entered as a backup, Alexander said: "It feels good. It's all right."

Alexander was not part of the game plan. In the three full practices leading to the game, Alexander was the No. 3 quarterback, behind the platoon of Inoke Funaki, who would make his sixth start in eight games, and Tyler Graunke. Alexander took "mental reps" while Funaki and Graunke split the reps with the first-team offense.

But Alexander said that sideline view helped him see the big picture.

"Definitely," Alexander said. "Watching Inoke and Tyler do the offense, you see everything from a different perspective. When you're in there, you've got the rush and all of that. When you step back, you can focus on the secondary and the receivers; see what the receivers are looking at. That helps you a lot."

It was pivotal on a third-and-11 play in the third quarter. Alexander went through his read progressions — 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... — before pirouetting and throwing to slotback Michael Washington in the left flat. Washington, with a running start, gained 12 yards, keeping alive an 11-play drive that would result in a touchdown.

It was a play that Alexander acknowledged he would not have been able to make during the season-opener against Florida.

"There's a huge difference," Alexander said. "Going into the Florida game, I had an idea where my guys were going to be. But if I was going backside, I didn't know what I was seeing. Now, it's pre-snap 'I've two here, we've got so and so ...' I can really anticipate what's happening backside."

During the game-winning drive, the Warriors faced a third-and-9 situation. After correctly reading the defensive end, who tried crashing down on the right side of the UH offense, Alexander weaved up the middle, and juked the Nevada free safety to complete the 10-yard run and gain the first down.

The scamper surprised the UH coaches.

"It surprised me, too," Alexander said, smiling. "I had to go out there and make plays."

The knock on Alexander was that he used to hold the football too long before passing. Against Nevada, he appeared to have a quicker release.

"Mechanically, I haven't really changed too much — little tweaks here and there," Alexander said. "But it comes from knowing the offense, knowing where guys are going to be, and you can start anticipating."

LANE'S GRAB 'TYREE'-LIKE

There is no doubt that right wideout Malcolm Lane's game-winning touchdown catch was picturesque. But the freeze-frame picture, as captured by KITV's camera operator, shows it was a Super Bowl-quality reception.

Reminiscent of David Tyree's catch for the New York Giants against New England, Lane secured the football with his helmet and right hand.

"I caught it with my hands," Lane said, but cornerback Mike Evans "was pulling my other arm down. So I was holding (the football) with my hand on my helmet."

Lane was equally impressive as a kickoff returner. He averaged 38.3 yards per return. His three returns, on average, gave the Warriors the ball at their 46.

"We've been practicing at getting better and better every week," Lane said. "Guys went out there and opened up some huge holes for me to run through."

Most of all, for the first time this season, there was joyfulness to Lane's play.

"I was more relaxed," Lane said. "People were giving me advice about games and things like that. They told me to go out and have fun. I went out there and had fun. I was having a blast."

Lane's lighter mood coincided with roommate Ryan Mouton's move from defensive back to slotback on offense last week.

As the left cornerback, Mouton defended Lane in 7-on-7 and team drills. As the right cornerback, Mouton and Lane were aligned side by side.

"People say I see him all day and then I have to see him on offense," Lane said, smiling. "But when I see him making plays, it inspires me. It drives me. We try to compete against each other to see who has a better game. He's the perfect guy to have next to me. I used to go against him in practice. Now I'm telling him what he has to do on this route and what he has to do on that route. He's a very quick learner, a smart football player."

Mouton, who played nickelback on defense for more than 10 plays, also had fun despite the energy-sapping roles.

"It's a lot of fun to play both ways," Mouton said. "The offensive guys really accepted me. They rallied around me."

Mouton and Lane are close friends, often going to Sunday barbecue dinners at Lane's mother's house at Schofield Barracks. When Lane did not have a place to live, Mouton invited him to stay at an apartment originally shared by two other UH teammates.

In turn, Lane serves as Mouton's chauffeur.

"He drives all of the time," Mouton said. "I left my car back in Texas."

LB ELIMIMIAN GRATEFUL

A decade from now, when football historians reflect on his impact, it is Solomon Elimimian's hope that he will be remembered for more than just setting the school record for career tackles.

He said he wants to be thought of as "somebody who worked hard, who tried to do what was best for the team."

Elimimian said he "feels blessed" to have set the record.

"I'm blessed to even be here," said Elimimian, a senior who did not redshirt and has not missed a game during his UH career. "It started with my decision to come here."

He thanked his coaches, particularly McMackin and defensive coordinator Cal Lee.

"I've had great defensive linemen, great coaches," Elimimian said. "Cal Lee taught me everything. He's a great coach, a great father figure."

Elimimian also is appreciative of the accomplishment of the previous record holder, defensive tackle Levi Stanley.

"For a defensive lineman having that many tackles is like a linebacker breaking the UH record for interceptions," Elimimian said. "I have a lot of respect for that guy."

PILARES ON THE MEND

McMackin said there is a possibility running back/slotback Kealoha Pilares will be available to play against Utah State Saturday. More likely, Pilares will need another week to recover from a sprained right foot.

The Warriors will stay on the Mainland between back-to-back road games against Utah State and New Mexico State. They are limited to a 64-player travel roster. Their options are to take Pilares for both games, leave him behind, or bring him up for only the New Mexico State game.