Lametrius Davis and Alex Green haven't had to deal with defeat much in their college careers.

Actually, they didn't have to mess with losing at all last year as key performers in Butte (Calif.) College's perfect season.

So enduring Hawaii's current six-game losing streak could be tough to bear. Yet, the overriding sentiment remains one of gratitude for the duo.

“;It's always great to play D-I,”; said Green, a junior running back. “;I have a lot of friends and a lot of guys at home who are hoping to be in my spot. Even though we're 2-6, a lot of guys are trying to play D-I football. So every day I come out here it's a blessing.”;

Davis, a cornerback, committed to UH last fall and helped convince Green to join him in Manoa. The childhood friends from Portland, Ore., and Butte teammates are playing more prominent roles for the Warriors (2-6, 0-5 Western Athletic Conference) lately, both coming off strong performances in last week's game at Nevada.

Green powered for 70 yards on 10 carries, both season highs, against the Wolf Pack. With more carries has come a greater sense of rhythm and a more physical running style translating to an average of 6.3 yards on his 18 attempts off the bench over the last two weeks.

Davis has started the last two games at left cornerback, developing into a steady performer in the secondary heading into the Warriors' conference game against Utah State (2-6, 1-3) Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

“;Lametrius is starting to really catch on to what we're doing. He played outstanding last week,”; UH head coach Greg McMackin said. “;Alex is the same way. He's been popping through on the run all year, but had his best ballgame last week.”;

The Hawaii coaches were searching for defensive backs to help replenish a secondary hit hard by graduation last year and secured an early commitment from Davis, a two-time all-conference pick at Butte.

Davis, who enrolled at UH in the spring, then helped attract Green - a prolific back at Butte - to UH as well.

“;Lametrius probably did the best job of recruiting Alex,”; McMackin said. “;We were really looking for a DB, and (Green) was so good we couldn't pass him up.”;

While Davis acclimated to his new surroundings in the spring semester, Green's status was still unsettled entering the summer.

He initially attended Eastern Arizona Junior College before transferring to Butte. But some of his credits didn't follow him and he carried a heavy class load to make up for the losses. After signing with UH in the spring, he remained unsure of his standing while waiting for an instructor to post the final grade he needed to become eligible.

“;I was so frustrated. I didn't know If I was going to go anywhere,”; Green said. “;When she posted my grades, I was here a day later. I kept working out over the summer, but it was frustrating not know what I was going to do.”;

Davis and Green have been close since attending the same middle school in Portland. They went to rival high schools, but kept in touch since Green lived across the street from Davis' grandfather. They then reunited at Butte and again in their move to Division I.

Playing predominantly man-to-man coverage in junior college, Davis took some time to adjust to UH's zone packages. He continues to split time with Tank Hopkins, and earned back-to-back starts for the first time in the Warriors' last two games.

“;I feel more comfortable,”; Davis said. “;It's basically just learning the defense little by little, getting my alignments and assignments.”;

Likewise, Green continues to learn the blocking scheme in the backfield. Leon Wright-Jackson remains the starter due in part to his blocking acumen, with Green rotating into the game.

While they work to help the Warriors break out of their current slide, they also take heart in breaking away from some of the traps that ensnared others back home and providing an example for those with similar aspirations.

“;In our league, we don't have too many people make it,”; Davis said. “;We've always got athletes ... they've got the potential, but some people get into trouble and never get the chance. So when they see us, it can be an inspiration.”;

Stadium gates to open later

Turnstile gates at Aloha Stadium will open at 3:30 p.m. for Saturday's game, which kicks off at 5:05.

The stadium opened at 2 p.m. for previous games. Opening times for the parking lots remain unchanged - 11:30 a.m. for the Lower Halawa lot and 12:30 p.m. for all other lots.

Stadium manager Scott Chan said there were “;some challenges both in the parking lots and inside the stadium at our last UH game.”;

“;We need everyone to know that we will not tolerate irresponsible behavior and are making operational adjustments to help alleviate these challenges,”; Chan said in a release.

According to the release, fans will not be allowed to loiter in the parking lot after the game begins and those who “;appear to be too intoxicated”; will not be allowed into the stadium.