Mana Silva can wear that “;NY”; cap around campus with a little more pride now.

Silva grew up with posters of Derek Jeter hanging in his room and even wore No. 2 during his youth baseball days. So watching the Yankees clinch the World Series brightened his Wednesday some.

“;We got one in the beginning of the decade, now we're finishing the decade (with a championship),”; the Hawaii safety said.

While the Yankees' title drought ended this week, Silva hopes the Warriors can manage a breakthrough of their own in a fall that has been far from a classic thus far.

Memories of a 2-0 start seem distant with the Warriors (2-6, 0-5 Western Athletic Conference) lugging a six-game losing streak into tomorrow's conference game against Utah State (2-6, 1-3) at Aloha Stadium.

Turning their fortunes could hinge on the Warriors reversing the flow of turnovers.

Since coming up with five interceptions in its first three games, Hawaii has gone more than five games without a pick, a span of 139 opponent passes. The Warriors are the only WAC team without an interception in league play and are last in the conference in turnover margin.

Silva owns three of those early-season interceptions, and the lack of takeaways since grates on the Warrior defense.

“;It runs through my head a lot,”; Silva said. “;We haven't gotten an interception in a while. They come in bunches, so hopefully this is the week we get one.”;

Utah State quarterback Diondre Borel has rarely given opposing defenses such opportunities this season. The junior has thrown just one interception in 251 throws, and arrives at Aloha Stadium with a streak of 226 attempts without a pick.

Like Nevada's Colin Kaepernick last week, Borel's running ability on the option will test the Warriors' ability to contain him while remaining wary of his ability to make plays downfield through the air.

Borel, who ranks second in the WAC and 14th in the nation in total offense, passed for 240 yards and ran for 105 in a loss at Fresno State last week. After facing Kaepernick, the lessons of last week remain fresh for the Warriors in preparing for the Aggies.

“;(Utah State and Nevada are) very similar actually,”; linebacker Corey Paredes said. “;Their quarterback is an awesome athlete. He has more moves than Kaepernick did, but their speed is comparable. We have to contain him and can't let him break loose. Nevada prepared us for what we're going to see this coming week.”;

Silva started the first five games at free safety and continued to figure prominently in the secondary even when Richard Torres moved into the starting spot.

With Torres resting a pulled hamstring, Silva has been working alongside strong safety Spencer Smith in the base package. Kenny Estes rotates into the secondary when Smith slides over to nickel back. Freshmen Mike Wadsworth and Jordan Gomes have gotten more reps in practice as well lately.

Torres suited up for yesterday's practice, but didn't get on the field for the team periods.

“;He's got a big heart,”; UH head coach Greg McMackin said. “;I'm not sure (if he will be available on Saturday). He feels it's getting looser, but we'll just have to see.”;

Kiesel-Kauhane sits out

Linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane missed yesterday's practice while having his hand fitted for a cast. While Kiesel-Kauhane is still expected to play tomorrow, Paredes took more repetitions with the first unit yesterday.

“;That's how it's been, we're always alternating, so Coach told me just to be ready,”; Paredes said.

Special teams coordinator Chris Tormey also didn't attend practice due to a death in the family. He is expected to return to Honolulu in time for the game.

WAC suspends official

Hawaii-based official Mike Goshima was suspended by the WAC yesterday for a call made during last week's San Jose State-Boise State game.

Goshima was scheduled to work tomorrow's UH-Utah State game but will be replaced due to the one-game suspension.

According to a release from the WAC, the suspension was based on a play in which a runner was ruled down short of a first down. The replay booth confirmed the call on the field, but a further review showed “;the runner clearly made the first down and the call should have been reversed.”;

“;Instant replay is used to 'get it right' on the field and in this case the official had a chance to reverse a call at a very critical time in the game and did not. Thus, he will be suspended for his next assignment,”; WAC commissioner Karl Benson said.

Boise State won the game 45-7.