The main reason for his recent fondness for videotape is that the University of Hawaii football team is changing from a base 4-3 defense to a 3-4 beginning this spring.

In recent weeks, he has studied film of several National Football Leagues teams, who employ this defense.

The veteran defensive coordinator stresses that this change doesn't mean Hawaii won't use an even front from time to time, but the Rainbows' base will be three linemen and four linebackers.

"We will still be a multiple defense," Lindsey said. "This is more a change of emphasis than anything else. I'm interested in creating perimeter pass rushers. We can do that with our personnel easier or best from the 3-4 than from the 4-3.

"Let me explain it this way. We may start out in an odd front, but at times we'll slide the defense - the five guys (three linemen and two outside linebackers) we have up there - moving them either strong to the tight end side or away from the tight end to the weak side and balance up our linebackers to give the offense the look of a 4-3.

"It's exactly what we did last year, but this time we're reversing the order. This year, we're going to start with the 3-4 and go from there.

"We also may move into a 5-2, putting our outside linebackers on the line of scrimmage. It gives us some options."

Obviously, shifting to the 3-4 will require several players to compete at new positions. Chief among them is senior down lineman Brian Chapman, who will move to left outside linebacker this spring. The top right outside linebacker is Rufus Ayeni.

"I know I'm looking forward to the switch because it will allow me to be more of a pass rusher coming off the edge," Ayeni said. "I think I'm better suited to this style of defense."

Lindsey said he likes the idea of Chapman moving to linebacker because of his size. In his mind, Chapman has always been a better athlete at 240 pounds than 260. Now the senior will get the opportunity to prove it.

"Brian has always tried to carry extra body weight to be a lineman and I don't think it has worked well for him," Lindsey said. "At linebacker, I'm trying to utilize him for what I think is best.

"Going into the spring, Rufus will be our starter at the other outside linebacker. All of this is subject to change once we get going in the spring, but this is how we will start out.

"I'm not making this switch because it's what I like. I like winning. The way you win is to try to take what you have and put them in a scheme that best fits them."

Junior college transfer Rinda Brooks has raised some eyebrows this spring with his speed and intensity. Lindsey said he will start him out on Chapman's side and see what develops.

Former strong safety Gery Graham, who was recently awarded a scholarship, also will compete at left outside linebacker.

"So will Punahou Aina, who we will work at strong and weak outside linebacker," Lindsey said. "I want all our outside guys to work on both sides of the field in case we need to slide them in there."

Going into spring, Kamuela Cobb-Adams also will work at right or weak outside linebacker. JC transfer Mark Mollner, who returned to junior college to assure his eligibility in the fall, is also penciled in at that spot.

The top two inside linebackers are Doug Rosevold and Stephen Gonzales with Matt Paul and Mark Jenkins backing them up. Down lineman Kekoa Kilcoyne also will work at inside linebacker.

If it doesn't pan out, he will move back up front. Right now, Lindsey will try Ben Bright at left end. He also plans to use Michael Anderson - who was moved from the offensive to the defensive front this spring - because of his size (6-foot-9, 325 pounds).

Tony Tuioti and Bob Pigott will start out at nose guard with incoming freshman Miles Garner getting a hard look in fall camp. The top two right ends are Ellie Kapihe and Olin Rosehill.

"Obviously, our guys in the secondary won't be affected by this change," Lindsey said.

"Hopefully, we can create a better pass rush to keep those guys from having to cover people all over the field.

"The front seven is your focus on both sides of the football. If you don't have the horses who can get it done up front, the rest of it doesn't matter."

University of Hawaii head coach Fred vonAppen said last night that Cal State-Northridge was the leading contender to replace North Texas State on the 1997 football schedule.

North Texas State officials let Rainbows athletic director Hugh Yoshida know last week that they couldn't play the scheduled Nov. 8 game.

VonAppen said he wasn't concerned that Northridge isn't a Division I program in football and wouldn't count toward the six wins needed to be bowl eligible.

"I'll worry about that when that day happens," vonAppen said. "Hell, Northridge is plenty talented enough for us."

The last time Hawaii played a Division I-AA opponent was Central Florida in October of 1995.