EL PASO, Texas » Back in his home state this week, Ryan Mouton is moving back to a more familiar role with the Hawaii football team.

Mouton was in a green practice jersey — designated for defense — for the Warriors' workout yesterday at El Paso's Parkland High School after spending the previous two weeks in the offense's whites. He will concentrate on defending rather than receiving leading up to Saturday's game at New Mexico State.

“;He's going full-time to defense,”; UH coach Greg McMackin said after the Warriors' practice. “;They've got an excellent passing game and we're going to need him. He would have a package on offense, but he's going to focus on defense this week.”;

While Mouton could still contribute to the Warrior offense, the shift in emphasis is a reversal over the past two games when Mouton started at slotback and saw spot duty on defense as a nickel back.

He caught eight passes for 71 yards in his stint as a receiver. He had two tackles and broke up a pass on defense in those games.

Overall, Mouton has 29 tackles and leads the Warriors with six passes broken up and could play both corner and nickel this week against the Aggies' four-receiver look. Jameel Dowling moved into Mouton's spot at cornerback the last two weeks.

“;I don't have to think so much,”; Mouton said of his return to full duty in the secondary. “;I have the concept down for defense so I'm more at home.”;

The move comes as the Warriors (4-5, 3-3 Western Athletic Conference) prepare for a New Mexico State team that leads the Western Athletic Conference and ranks 11th nationally in passing offense with 297.6 yards per game through the air.

The Aggies (3-5, 1-3), hampered by injuries to the offensive line, were limited to 150 total yards in last week's 49-0 loss to Boise State.

Quarterback Chase Holbrook finished with 64 passing yards before being sidelined with an elbow injury. He said he'll be ready for Saturday's game.

Despite the Aggies' recent struggles, they have three of the WAC's top eight leaders in receiving yards per game, led by Chris Williams' 98.5 ypg.

“;It's a lot of fun, you get ready for these games,”; Mouton said. “;You have a lot of opportunities to make a play.”;

Mouton had started at cornerback prior to moving to offense, a move made in part to give the Warriors another playmaker with Kealoha Pilares out with a sprained foot.

Pilares practiced yesterday and looked to be running smoothly early in the workout. But he sat out the end of practice and is taking a day-to-day approach to practice leading up to Saturday's game.

Although Mouton hails from Houston, clear on the other side of the state, he's enjoying being back in the state.

“;Just being in the weather and knowing I'm in Texas feels pretty good,”; Mouton said, “;more at home.”;

Wadsworth looking ahead

Michael Wadsworth of Silverado (Las Vegas) High School is looking forward to honoring two commitments after graduation.

The multi-purpose standout has committed to join the Warriors next year.

Then after spending a year in Manoa, he'll embark on a two-year church mission.

“;Academically I can get some of the classes that I need out of the way and it'll be great for football. I can get used to the program and the defense they run,”; Wadsworth said of his plans for next season.

As for the mission, “;I've looked forward to it since I was a little kid.”;

Wadsworth (6-foot-1, 197 pounds) was also offered a scholarship by Arizona and visited the Tucson campus before committing to UH.

Wadsworth has rarely left the field this fall while playing cornerback, running back and receiver. He also punted and returned kicks. He said he'll focus on playing safety in college.

Wadsworth said Tony Tuioti's presence on the UH staff and teammate T.J. Alofipo's commitment to UH earlier this year were among the leading factors in his decision. Tuioti was Silverado's defensive coordinator last year.

Rice arrives

Hawaii linebacker Joshua Rice arrived at Parkland High in time for the final periods of yesterday's practice. Rice was called to join the team after safety Mana Silva suffered an ankle injury against Utah State and returned to Hawaii. Like Silva, Rice's role will be primarily on special teams.

Rice got the call on Sunday, left Honolulu on Monday night and made a stop in Phoenix before arriving in El Paso midday yesterday.