A restful weekend left the Hawaii football team eager to get back to work.

“;It felt kind of weird not having a game this week, just watching all the games on TV,”; sophomore slotback Kealoha Pilares said of the Warriors' bye week. “;It's kind of boring when football's not there. With that time off, you feel more hungry to play now.”;

The Warriors (5-5, 4-3 Western Athletic Conference) returned from their weekend off yesterday by putting in the scouting report for Saturday's conference finale against Idaho (2-9, 1-6), followed by a morning of running and lifting. They were set to jump back into practice this morning.

The matchup with the Vandals opens a stretch of three straight home games to close the regular season. The Warriors need two wins to become eligible for the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

“;It was good to get a week off mentally before these last three games,”; quarterback Greg Alexander said. “;We know our situation and what we have to do.”;

The Warriors hope the break in the schedule doesn't translate to a break in momentum for an offense that appeared to find its groove prior to the bye.

“;We'll get an extra day and it's a matter of making the reads and we'll get good reps in practice,”; UH coach Greg McMackin said. “;The pluses outweigh the minuses.”;

With Alexander taking command at quarterback over the last 2 1/2 games, the Warriors rolled up season highs in points and yards in their 42-30 win at New Mexico State on Nov. 8 to close a two-game road trip.

Alexander will take a string of 92 consecutive pass attempts without an interception into Saturday's game.

“;He's really getting comfortable back there, making all his reads and everybody's jelling together,”; receiver Greg Salas said.

“;You're having so much more fun when everything's clicking. It's definitely exciting and you definitely want to get back out there.”;

Saturday's game will be the season finale for the Vandals, who are wrapping up the program's ninth straight losing campaign. Idaho's wins have come against Idaho State and New Mexico State and the Vandals are coming off a 45-10 loss to Boise State.

The Vandals have given up an average of 42.2 points per game while scoring 19.8, but the Warriors remain wary of Idaho's potential.

“;Nothing in life is easy, right now we're taking one step at a time to get ready for Idaho,”; receiver Mike Washington said. “;Regardless of their record or where they might stand in the WAC, we have to take care of our responsibilities.”;

McMackin said Victor Clore and Cameron Allen-Jones, two reserve defensive linemen and special teams players, are expected to return from injuries this week. He's not as sure about the status of linebacker Blaze Soares, who has yet to play since suffering a calf injury early in fall camp.

UH-SMU talking

Hawaii could face former coach June Jones if talks between UH and Southern Methodist produce a matchup between the Warriors and Mustangs.

UH athletic director Jim Donovan said there have been preliminary discussions between UH and SMU officials, but said the sides are not close to a deal at this point. With UH's nonconference schedule booked for 2009 and 2011, the possibilities would be in 2010 or 2012.

Also, Washington State has contacted UH about moving their game next season to Seattle. The Warriors are scheduled to face the Cougars on Sept. 12, 2009 in the front end of a two-game road swing that includes a trip to UNLV. Washington State annually plays one of its nonconference games at Qwest Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks, and faced Oklahoma State there in its opener this season.

Speaking of Jones ...

The UH Board of Regents will be updated on the mediation between the school and Jones at its meeting at Kauai Community College on Friday. UH spokeswoman Carolyn Tanaka said the discussions have been ongoing and a decision is not expected to be announced after the meeting, but said “;if we have a final settlement, we will make that public.”;

The item on the board's agenda will be discussed in a closed executive session. The sides have been in mediation regarding a clause in his contract calling for the former coach to pay the school $400,008 for leaving before the end of his contract.