Another week. Another new role for Ryan Mouton.

The Hawaii senior's latest move isn't quite so drastic as the one he made last month when he switched from defense to offense. But his shift to free safety again demonstrates his versatility and the flexibility he provides the Warriors coaching staff.

“;He's such a smart guy, it's amazing how he can pick things up,”; Hawaii coach Greg McMackin said after the Warriors' practice yesterday afternoon. “;He looked like a natural free safety today. He's just an excellent athlete.”;

Mouton has started at three positions already this season, playing cornerback and nickelback on defense and starting two games at slotback on offense. He was also the Warriors' kickoff returner for the first seven games this season.

He moved deeper into the defensive backfield yesterday to practice at free safety, the position where he turned in one of last season's signature moments.

“;I'm not back there to try to make spectacular plays,”; Mouton said. “;It's all about doing your job and those plays will come.”;

Mouton's last experience as a free safety came in the Warriors' regular-season finale against Washington last year.

With injuries thinning the secondary, the coaches asked Mouton to move to safety. He recorded six tackles and came up with the game-clinching interception in the end zone off a deflection to seal a 35-28 win and a BCS berth for the Warriors.

“;He played about 90 percent of the snaps without practice and without any type of preparation,”; defensive backs coach Rich Miano recalled of Mouton's performance against the Huskies.

“;You can't just take a corner and make him a safety. It takes a special guy because it's a whole different vision thing, it's a whole different communication thing. You have to be more of a quarterback. He just understands concepts and where everybody's supposed to be.”;

Although accustomed to playing closer to the line of scrimmage, Mouton's experience elsewhere in the secondary aids in his adjustment to safety.

“;Playing corner and nickelback you have to know the other positions and know where your help's coming from,”; Mouton said. “;So it's not too much of a difference.”;

With Mouton practicing at free safety yesterday, Calvin Roberts and Jameel Dowling remain the top cornerbacks, and Miano said Keao Monteilh and Desmond Thomas will continue to see extensive playing time. Monteilh is the Warriors' top nickelback and Thomas also rotates into nickel packages.

“;They're still going to play, they've helped us win championships and helped us win a lot of games,”; Miano said.

The Warriors are working to tighten up defensively after giving up 394 passing yards in their win over New Mexico State on Nov. 8. Much of the yardage came on big plays by receiver Chris Williams, who had touchdowns covering 84, 23 and 83 yards in a 221-yard performance.

But Mouton provided a pivotal play in UH's 42-30 shootout win with a 91-yard interception return for a touchdown.

“;He might make a false step or a bad read, but you can do that when you're as fast as he is,”; Miano said. “;He has the ability to hopefully eliminate some big plays.”;

Vandals receiver out

Idaho tight end Eddie Williams will miss Saturday's game after suffering a knee injury in last week's loss to Boise State, the Lewiston Tribune reported.

According to the story, Williams will have surgery to repair a torn ACL. Williams led the Vandals in receiving this season with 54 catches for 687 yards and six touchdowns.

Injury update

Running back Leon Wright-Jackson sat out yesterday's practice with a foot injury. Senior Daniel Libre left the field early with an injury, but said after practice he should be fine.