Growing pains tend to be aggravating to endure.

Hawaii hopes to emerge from a trying 2009 football season strengthened for having gone through the aches.

After his second season fell short of a bowl appearance at 6-7, head coach Greg McMackin spent the last week meeting with each player to go over the past campaign, get feedback and—for the returnees—start planning for 2010.

“;We have to get everybody together, have a good offseason program and a good spring,”; McMackin said.

Having USC atop next season's schedule figures to help spur the Warriors' offseason workouts, along with the bitterness of missing the postseason for the first time since 2005.

“;It's going to be a challenging schedule, but we have more to work with as far as experienced players,”; McMackin said.

A relatively green lineup, particularly on defense, was thinned by a series of injuries that coincided with a six-game losing streak. The skid began with a one-point loss at UNLV, which proved to be the most vexing of the seven defeats after the Warriors fell one win short of a bowl berth.

A victory over Navy highlighted a late-season burst that brought the Warriors within sight of bowl eligibility. But a season-ending blowout loss to Wisconsin snuffed those plans.

“;Most teams would pack it in and give up,”; UH athletic director Jim Donovan said of the Warriors' 2-6 start. “;They had to win all five games and for four out of five weeks, they pulled it off.”;

The injuries forced several youngsters to take on more prominent roles, including quarterback Bryant Moniz.

The sophomore walk-on jumped from third string to the starting quarterback job after Greg Alexander suffered a season-ending knee injury at Louisiana Tech. Although Moniz will top the chart going into the spring, he'll have to fend off Shane Austin, Brent Rausch and a group of freshmen to maintain that position next fall.

“;Competition is good for everybody,”; McMackin said. “;Mo did a great job and earned being penciled in, but we're going to open up the competition.”;

Following is a look at the Warriors heading into the offseason:

Offense

Key losses: The offensive line loses four starters, most notably All-WAC center and team MVP John Estes. Slotback Jon Medeiros became a reliable target after moving into the starting lineup. Running back Leon Wright-Jackson started every game and provided balance during the late-season run.

Moving forward: Slotback Greg Salas turned in one of the school's most productive receiving seasons (106 catches for 1,590 yards) and leads a receiver corps that returns largely intact. Kealoha Pilares caught 66 passes for 690 yards while playing both slotback and wide receiver. Running back Alex Green developed into a backfield threat while splitting time with Wright-Jackson.

The line could get a lift if tackle Laupepa Letuli's appeal for another year of eligibility is granted. Guard Brysen Ginlack, a part-time starter in 2008, redshirted this season. Receiver Malcolm Lane is also expected to return following a redshirt season. Rodney Bradley is rehabbing a broken leg and hopes to be back to speed by fall camp.

Defense

Key losses: In their first seasons as full-time starters, senior linebackers Blaze Soares and R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane led the Warriors with 192 combined tackles. The line loses playmakers in defensive tackle Tuika Tufaga and end Fetaiagogo Fonoti.

Moving forward: The entire secondary returns, led by safeties Mana Silva and Spencer Smith. Silva led the WAC with six interceptions while Smith was named the Warriors' most outstanding defensive player.

McMackin traced the defense's improvement to the return of sophomore tackle Vaughn Meatoga from an ankle injury. Freshmen Geordon Hanohano, Haku Correa and Paipai Falemalu all gained valuable experience up front. The line figures to be bolstered by a group of transfers—including former Arizona starter Kaniela Tuipulotu—who sat out this season.

Sophomore Corey Paredes and junior Jake Heun lead the returning linebackers. Brashton Satele is applying for another year after having shoulder surgery in fall camp. Aaron Brown moved from safety to linebacker before redshirting due to a hamstring injury.

Special Teams

Key losses: Not many with underclassmen holding most of the significant roles.

Moving forward: Kicker Scott Enos had a bumpy junior year in going 12-for-19 on field-goal attempts. He made all 34 of his PATs. Punter Alex Dunnachie had his rough spots as well, but finished strong to average 39.2 yards on his 42 kicks. Freshman Luke Ingram was steady in taking over long-snapping duties.

When healthy, Jovonte Taylor and Royce Pollard provided threats on kickoff returns. UH's punt coverage unit ranked second in the country in allowing 15 yards in returns.