These days, you can't identify San Jose State head coach Dick Tomey by looking at his offensive playbook.

The Tomey of past coaching stints — 10 years at Hawai'i, 14 at Arizona — was relatively conservative on offense.

"Dick Tomey has really diversified offensively," said UH associate head coach Rich Miano, who was a Warrior safety under Tomey in the 1980s.

The Spartans, who play the Warriors tonight at Aloha Stadium, are a pot luck of this generation's trendy offensive schemes.

The Spartans can align in a spread formation (with one back or an empty backfield), or a pro set (two backs, two receivers and a tight end), or a king formation (two tight ends).

The quarterback can receive the snap from under center or in a shotgun.

In the spread formation, the Spartans use the West Coast principles of short, ball-control passes.

Against San Diego State, the Spartans rushed for 293 yards and five touchdowns. Against Stanford, they completed 23 of 26 passes with no interceptions.

Of the chameleon-like approach, Miano said: "I never thought you'd see that from Dick Tomey. That's the college game. You've seen elements in the NFL. He has really diversified his attack. It's pretty scary. And they've got talented, skilled athletes at quarterback and running back."

Here's a look at tonight's game::

SAN JOSE STATE OFFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

WR—8 David Richmond 6-4 200 Sr.

LT—66 John Konye 6-4 270 So.

LG—72 Isaac Leatiota 6-4 295 So.

C—70 Robbie Reed 6-3 290 So.

RG—73 Ailao Eliapo 6-3 320 So.

RT—59 Jon Moreno 6-4 280 Jr.

TE—9 Jeff Clark 6-6 250 Sr.

WR—3 Terrance Williams 6-5 225 Jr.

WR—88 Jalal Beauchman 6-4 220 Jr.

QB—7 Kyle Reed 6-3 215 Jr.

RB—34 Yonus Davis 5-8 190 Sr.

Outlook: Even more remarkable than his dual athletic skills — he runs 40 yards in 4.6 seconds and leads the nation in passing accuracy (79.38 percent) — is Reed's ability to adapt. He did not throw a pass in his two years at California. He redshirted last season after transferring, then missed the Spartans' spring training because of a foot injury. After essentially a three-year layoff, he started this season's second game, completing his first 13 passes. For now, Reed is using the basic offensive package, mostly involving short passes. In last week's game against Stanford, he completed 23 of 26 passes. But none of his completions traveled more than 10 yards from the line of scrimmage. Eight were screens, seven were flat routes and three were slant patterns. Ten of the completions went to tight ends.

The tradeoff for a high-accuracy rate is sacks. The Spartans have yielded 17 in four games; they have been sacked on 12 percent of their pass plays. Against Stanford, five of the eight sacks were on first- and second-down plays.

But Reed's options are limited. The Spartans' best receiver, Kevin Jurovich, won't play because of mononucleosis. Richmond, a burner who has played only three years of organized football, has a team-high 23 catches, but none ending in the end zone. Jurovich has one of the Spartans' two scoring receptions this season.

Davis, who is tough enough to run between the tackles and quick enough to utilize the perimeters, is fifth among active Division I-A players with a career yards-per-rush average of 5.90. He is averaging 6.8 yards this season.

SAN JOSE STATE DEFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

DE—17 Jeff Schweiger 6-5 280 Sr.

DT—90 Jarron Gilbert 6-6 280 Sr.

DT—96 Adonis Davis 6-2 295 Jr.

DE—95 Carl Ihenacho 6-3 245 Jr.

LB—2 Duke Ihenacho 6-1 200 So.

LB—14 Travis Jones 6-1 220 Jr.

LB—93 Justin Cole 6-3 240 Jr.

CB—21 Coye Francies 6-1 185 Sr.

S—8 Kyle Flynn 6-2 205 Sr.

S—24 Devin Newsome 5-10 165 So.

CB—29 Christopher Owens 5-10 170 Sr.

Outlook: In a chicken-or-egg debate, the Spartans' defensive success is either a result of an aggressive front seven that eases the pressure on the secondary or the two shutdown corners who help out the pass rush. The defensive ends — Schweiger and Carl Ihenacho — get most of the publicity. Schweiger started his NCAA career at USC (he has a 2004 national championship ring). Of Ihenacho's team-high 27 tackles, seven have been in the backfield. In four games his season, he has matched his 2007 total of five sacks. Scouts marvel at not only Ihenacho's speed (4.63 seconds in the 40), but his improved "hips," football parlance for flexibility and technique.

One of the keys is Gilbert, who moved from defensive end in the middle of last season. Usually such a move leads to a drop in backfield tackles. But Gilbert, who often is aligned in the B gap (between the guard and tackle), is still causing chaos. Six of his 13 tackles have been behind the line of scrimmage, and he also has a pass breakup and quarterback hurry.

The Spartans have sampled the Warriors' strategy of creating speed at positions by shifting players. Duke Ihenacho is a former safety. Newsome was a cornerback, and Flynn moved from wideout. Then again, Francies (4.45 seconds over 40 yards), who started his career at Oregon State, and Owens (4.5 in the 40), a third-year starter, were born to play the corners. They are clingy bump-and-run defenders who free up other defenders to either blitz or cover the flats.

SAN JOSE STATE SPECIAL TEAMS

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

PK—10 Jared Strubeck 5-8 182 Sr.

P/H—35 Philip Zavala 6-1 200 Jr.

S—51 Matt Wigley 6-2 230 Jr.

KR/PR—15 Brandon Rutley 5-10 190 Fr.

Outlook: Few kickers have suffered more from rule changes than Strubeck. In recent years, the height limit of the tee has gone from 2 inches to 1 inch, and the kickoff start has withdrawn by 5 yards, to the 30. Strubeck's average deep kickoff reaches the opponent's 9. His short game is better. Eight of 13 onside kicks have been recovered during his career. Strubeck also is struggling with his placekicks, having missed 5 of 8 field-goal attempts. Plan B is no option. Against Nebraska, Will Johnson hit the upright on a PAT try and missed a field-goal attempt from 41 yards.

HAWAI'I OFFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

LWO—1 Greg Salas 6-2 200 So.

LSB—5 Michael Washington 5-9 170 Sr.

LT—77 Aaron Kia 6-5 290 Jr.

LT—50 Laupepa Letuli 6-4 320 Jr.

LG—63 Brysen Ginlack 6-2 310 So.

LG—74 Raphael Ieru 6-2 315 Jr.

C—55 John Estes 6-2 295 Jr.

RG—51. C. "Lafu" Tuitoi-Mariner 6-0 300 Sr.

RT—78 Keoni Steinhoff 6-3 295 Sr.

RSB—85 Aaron Bain 5-8 190 Sr.

RWO—89 Malcolm Lane 6-1 180 Jr.

QB—6 Tyler Graunke 6-0 185 Sr.

QB—11 Inoke Funaki 5-11 190 Jr.

RB—48 David Farmer 6-1 240 Sr.

RB—4 Leon Wright-Jackson 6-1 215 Jr.

RB—21 Kealoha Pilares 5-11 190 So.

Outlook: The pass pocket is not a fixed architectural structure. Its dimensions fluctuate, influenced by the defensive push, fatigue, momentum and, most of all, the synchronicity between the blockers and quarterback. Injuries have created a revolving situation at quarterback and on the offensive line for the Warriors, and, in turn, the passing attack has suffered in the first three games. Completions and post-catch yards are down, compared to the past few seasons, and the number of hits on the quarterback has increased. Against Oregon State, Graunke played 39 snaps, but was hit 14 times. He was hit on 13 of 27 pass plays; at least three of the hits culminated in the hand injury that forced him from the game and into two weeks of physical-therapy sessions. The Warriors spent the past two weeks trying to find ways to shield whoever starts at quarterback. Letuli, who is recovering from a slight tear in his left shoulder, is the team's best left tackle. But Kia, who is healthier, has been given most of the practice snaps.

The pass protection should improve with the return of Farmer, who has not played since suffering a partially torn MCL during training camp. In the shotgun, where the back is positioned to the side of the quarterback, Farmer is skilled in cross-over blocks — aligning on the left side and picking up the pass-rusher attacking from the right. "I think it's a tenacity thing," Farmer said of his blocking. "It's just getting in there and having the will to protect the quarterback. I'm worried about not letting down the other 10 guys on the field. My job is blocking that one guy so he doesn't get to (the quarterback)." Farmer, in fact, also has a part-time job. "He made a run the other day that made him look like Larry Csonka," head coach Greg McMackin said. "I'm excited about Dave Farmer. He brings an addition to our package. We haven't had that big running back all season."

Wright-Jackson (sore left arch) is back, and running back Daniel Libre (sprained right ankle) might be available. That would allow Pilares the flexibility of being a running back or receiver. Pilares has caught 70 percent of the passes thrown in his direction this season.

HAWAI'I DEFENSE

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

LE—94 David Veikune 6-3 265 Sr.

LT—93 Keala Watson 6-3 320 Sr.

RT—99 Josh Leonard 6-3 305 Sr.

RE—58 John Fonoti 6-2 255 Jr.

LLB—44 Adam Leonard 6-0 235 Sr.

MLB—13 Brashton Satele 6-1 255 Jr.

RLB—17 Solomon Elimimian 6-0 225 Sr.

LCB/NB—2 Ryan Mouton 5-10 175 Sr.

FS—35 Keao Monteilh 5-11 200 Sr.

SS—7 Erik Robinson 5-10 200 Sr.

NS—24 Desmond Thomas 6-2 170 Sr.

RCB—23 Calvin Roberts 5-11 175 Sr.

NCB—3 Jameel Dowling 6-3 200 Sr.

Outlook: Veikune, Fonoti and Josh Leonard played more than 93 percent of the defensive snaps against Oregon State. They won't be asked to be ironmen this week, especially against the Spartans' multiple sets. The defensive line receives a boost from the return of defensive tackles Rocky Savaiigaea, who has not played this season because of a triceps injury, and Fale Laeli, who has endured tendinitis in his right knee and then a tweaked right ankle. Including Vaughn Meatoga and Tuika Tufaga, the Warriors can rotate six at the two tackle positions.

The Warriors have emphasized defensive play-making the past two weeks. In three games, they have forced only two turnovers — both on interceptions. Of greater importance are the struggles on third down. The goal is to hold opponents' conversions to under 33 percent; this year, they are at 40 percent.

HAWAI'I SPECIAL TEAMS

Pos.—Player Ht. Wt. Cl.

PK—86 Dan Kelly 6-3 225 Sr.

P/H—49 Tim Grasso 5-11 210 Sr.

S—57 Jake Ingram 6-4 235 Sr.

KR—2 Ryan Mouton 5-10 175 Sr.

KR—79 Malcolm Lane 6-1 180 Jr.

KR—7 Jovonte Taylor 5-9 185 Jr.

PR—5 Michael Washington 5-9 170 Sr.

PR—85 Aaron Bain 5-8 190 Sr.

HH—19 Richard Torres 5-7 165 Fr.

HH—31 Spencer Smith 5-11 200 So.

Outlook: The Warriors have reshuffled the kickoff coverage, installing Torres and Smith as the head-hunters, a seek-the-returner position previously known as "gunner" or "hawk." The idea was to energize the special-team units. But none of that matters unless Kelly breaks out of his inconsistent play on kickoffs. Of his 11 kickoffs this season, five have resulted in touchbacks. But the other six are landing, on average, at the 18. "We need the better field position, period," said Kelly, who has worked the past two weeks on his placements and hang time. The goal is a hang time of at least 4 seconds, although the time can go down the deeper the ball is kicked. UH's modest goal is to make sure the opponent starts a drive inside the 35. "I set our goal a little higher," Kelly said. "Anything outside the 25 is considered a failure for me."

Visit Tsai's blog at http://hawaiiwarriorbeat.com.