A dangerous dual-threat quarterback accompanied by a productive runner.

Sound familiar?

After spending an afternoon in Reno, Nev., tracking Nevada's prolific backfield combination, the Hawaii defense will have a similar challenge awaiting them back home this weekend.

Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick and running backs Vai Taua and Luke Lippincott powered the Wolf Pack to a win over the Warriors last Saturday in Reno.

This Saturday, the Warriors will contend with Utah State's duo of Diondre Borel and Robert Turbin to begin a stretch of four home games in a five-week span.

Borel, the Aggies' junior quarterback, enjoyed a breakout game against the Warriors in Utah State's win in Logan, Utah, last year, and trails only Kaepernick in total offense in the WAC this season. Turbin, a sophomore, enters the week as the league's second-leading rusher at 109 yards per game.

Still, where Kaepernick and Co. have Nevada atop the WAC standings, Utah State (2-6, 1-3 WAC) remains in the league's lower half while working through growing pains under first-year head coach Gary Andersen, losing three of their last four games by a total of 10 points.

The Warriors (2-6, 0-5), meanwhile, returned home yesterday with frustrations of their own after battling with Nevada only to suffer their sixth straight loss.

“;I think we have good character on our team and every loss hurts, but there's nothing that's going to keep our team down,”; UH quarterback Bryant Moniz said.

“;We take the losses hard, but we let them go and move on because if you just dwell on a loss, another team is going to come to town and kick our butt.”;

After being blown out in two of their previous three games, the Warriors saw some encouraging signs in the 31-21 loss to Nevada. But being more competitive didn't offer much consolation.

“;Overall I thought we played pretty well offensively. It's just that we have to keep consistent,”; receiver Jon Medeiros said after catching nine passes for 92 yards. “;We scored on the first two drives and after that we were pretty much dead until the fourth quarter.”;

Utah State can certainly relate.

The Aggies led 27-17 at halftime of their game at Fresno State on Saturday but were shut out in the second half and lost 31-27.

Borel rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown and completed 20 of 31 passes for 240 yards and a score. Turbin had 138 yards and the Aggies generated 503 yards in total offense.

Hawaii held Nevada to its lowest point total in WAC play and forced five punts to stay within striking distance for most of the game. But as has been the case during the losing streak, opportunity and execution didn't quite connect.

Two turnovers proved critical, as did Kaepernick's mastery of the spread option, slipping around the end for big gains when Taua and Lippincott weren't plowing for yardage.

“;It's just a couple times where (Kaepernick) made plays himself and those are the ones that hurt us the most,”; safety Mana Silva said. “;We had a great game plan coming in and we didn't stray from it. We just stuck to it and they just made a few more plays than we did.”;

Green hitting his stride

Alex Green's work load has kicked up lately. Whether the junior running back plays an even more prominent role will depend on how he performs without the ball.

Green carried the ball a season-high 10 times against Nevada, and his 70 yards were the most for a UH running back this season.

“;I think the way the offense is, I get better as the game goes along,”; Green said. “;The more carries I get the stronger I get as a runner, the more in rhythm I get.”;

While he displayed his ability as a runner, he continues to develop as a blocker in the backfield.

“;I'm getting more confident. Coach (Brian Smith) is working with me hard to get my feet right and get to know the system,”; Green said.

“;Pass blocking was one of my weaknesses in JUCO, so I was really working hard in the summer and fall camp and still working hard this season because blocking is a big part of being a running back in a spread offense.”;

The long way home

The Warriors' road trip was unexpectedly extended a bit.

The team left Reno after the game on Saturday night and was scheduled to arrive in Honolulu early yesterday morning.

But a mechanical problem with an inbound flight to Las Vegas meant the Warriors were delayed about 6 hours while waiting for their plane to arrive. They finally landed safely at home a little before 11:30 a.m.

Now that they're back, the Warriors will have some time to settle in at home for a change. Their upcoming games against both sets of Aggies, Utah State and New Mexico State, mark the first time Hawaii will have back-to-back home games this season.