They found the University of Hawaii cornerback early in last Saturday's game, and threw at him often.

You can hardly blame them. After watching last year's films of Hunter trailing the field, No. 27 in green appeared to be an easy target for the pass-happy visitors.

But these days, nothing could be further from the truth.

Boston College quarterbacks Scott Mutryn and Matt Hasselbeck tested Hunter nearly a dozen times. On most occasions, the former St. Louis School standout was there, shadowing the receiver every step of the way.

Despite cornering most of the action, Hunter only had three tackles, proving many of Boston College's 14 receptions in 36 attempts landed elsewhere.

"I think this is the best game I've had since I've been here," Hunter said before yesterday's practice. "It was fun going out there and playing together.

"The best thing the coaches have taught me so far is don't be the weak link in the chain. I play for my coaches, my teammates and for UH.

"I love playing for them. I love the new schemes. I love the game again. In past years, I was like, going through the motions. But not anymore."

Going through the motions is not the best approach in the Western Athletic Conference. In this league, teams love picking on the weak link.

Too often in 1995, that was on Hunter's side of the field. He finished fourth on the team in tackles with 53. In fact, he is the top returning tackler for UH, a dubious distinction for a cornerback.

"Part of the reason Boston College threw at him so much is because he's lined up against the receiver on the right side of the field," UH secondary coach Trent Miles said.

"Right-handed quarterbacks tend to go that way. But another reason is because they were picking on Al. They see a guy who's only 5-foot-7 trying to guard their 6-foot receivers.

"I thought Al responded to the challenge. It doesn't surprise me. I have high expectations of Al because he has good feet and athletic ability."

UH defensive coordinator Don Lindsey also expects his junior to deliver. Unlike most of the players on defense, Hunter has experience. Last year, he started 12 games at corner.

"But most were on the left side of the field," Hunter said. "I'm more comfortable setting up on this side."

Former NFL defensive back Rich Miano is a key reason Hunter has developed a comfort zone. After graduating from high school, Hunter spent a couple of summers working with Miano at his impromptu camp.

"I always said that I thought he was the best guy I had out there," Miano said.

"I thought we asked a lot out of our defensive backs, and they responded," Lindsey said. "Our pass rush wasn't that effective.

"That puts extra pressure on those guys back there to stay with their receivers. I thought Al did a good job of sticking with his man because they were looking his way a lot."

This weekend against Ohio University, Hunter will change his approach. That's because the Bobcats love to run the football.

Against an option, cornerbacks play more zone than man, and must come up quickly to support the run plays on the perimeter.

"It's a totally different approach, but I kind of like that because it challenges you," Hunter said. "In our league, you see a lot of different formations.

"Being a starter last year helped give me the experience I need to compete at this level. I think I've improved."

Former Stanford quarterback Tim Carey is expected to announce today that he will transfer to the University of Hawaii for his senior season.

This occurred after the Cardinal named Chad Hutchinson, who has never thrown a college pass and skipped spring football this year to play baseball, as their starting quarterback for the opener against Utah.

Rainbows head coach Fred vonAppen said yesterday after practice that he wanted to wait until Carey made the announcement before commenting on the possibility. Carey will have to sit out this season, but has a redshirt year available to him.

Stanford team spokesman Gary Migdol announced Carey's decision. The Los Angeles resident told Cardinal coach Tyrone Willingham yesterday afternoon. Willingham decided Sunday night to go with Hutchinson.

"We felt like in evaluating this fall, he played better than Tim Carey," Willingham told The Associated Press. "It was the overall performance in running our team and providing the leadership we need to have a winning team."