MSU junior defensive tackle Domata Peko's trip to Hawaii means a little bit more than it does to the rest of his teammates.

The 6-foot-2, 297-pound junior college transfer is from Pago Pago, American Samoa. So playing at Hawaii will be the closest thing to playing at home for Peko in his NCAA career.

"I've been looking forward to this game since the beginning of the season," Peko said. "Going back there, it's like a home game for me."

Peko's only taste of home came three weeks ago, when his father, Siitupe, and mother, Sua, flew to East Lansing for the Wisconsin game.

But for the Hawaii game, Peko's father and mother, along with about 30 other family members, will be making the five-hour flight from their home in the South Pacific to Honolulu for the game, said Peko. He also mentioned his younger brother, Suki, who attends Hawaii, will play for the Warriors next season.

"I can't wait to see my family, my friends and my brother," Peko said. "They are really happy the game is there and I'm really happy they will be there by my side, supporting me while I play and help me to play better, I hope."

Of course Peko's family will be cheering for him, but he will be getting a ton of support from his teammates as well. The wild-haired junior from half-a-world away already has left a great impression on his fellow players.

"He's a great guy, I've gotten a chance to know him a little bit, he's real soft spoken - everybody gets along with him on the team," sophomore quarterback Drew Stanton said. "He's one of those guys that goes out and has fun when he plays and is just a big teddy bear off the field."

After losing Greg Taplin, Kyle Rasmussen and Matthias Askew from last year's defensive line, head coach John L. Smith needed to find a player to fill their spots. He brought in Peko from junior college at defensive end, but moved him to defensive tackle because of the lack of depth.

Now, in the last game of the season, Peko will get a chance to make the first start of his career. Hopefully, it is a sign of what is to come next year, Peko said.

"He's come quite a distance this year," Smith said. "We're projecting him to be an inside guy for us next year. He has to have a good off season and has to get a lot stronger in the upper body."

While Peko has some things he needs to work on, he is happy with what he has accomplished and is very confident about next season.

"I'm trying to get myself ready for next year already, working on my pass rush moves, getting quicker, getting faster and getting stronger," Peko said. "I've gotten a chance to get in that rotation and next year I know I am going to be starting for sure."