By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin
After being throttled in Nebraska by 56 points last Saturday, Rams head coach Sonny Lubick has been like Attila the Hun this week during practice.
Most of his wrath has been directed at a defense that is 15th in the Western Athletic Conference, yielding a staggering 530 yards and 37 points a game.
Granted, the Rams have played Big 12 powers Colorado and Nebraska, and talented Pac-10 foe Oregon en route to a 2-3 record, and 1-0 mark in league play.
But Lubick is one of those guys from the old school. He had a top-rated defense last year that lost four players to the NFL.
In a conference where everybody scores, it's defense that separates you from the rest and puts you in postseason play.
"All of us on defense have to get tougher," Lubick said during this week's conference call. "We know the scheme. We just have to execute it better."
Colorado State has a tough seven-game stretch with WAC opponents, beginning this Saturday night with the University of Hawaii at Aloha Stadium.
During the summer WAC meetings, Lubick pointed out how important the Hawaii game will be if the Rams want to win their third consecutive championship.
"Obviously, I still feel that way," Lubick said. "No matter how our team did against Nebraska, we have to put it behind us and focus on the task at hand.
"The most disconcerting thing for me as a coach is the consistency factor. We can no longer say we're inexperienced. We were hesitant against Nebraska and we can't afford to do that this weekend against Hawaii."
The talent difference between the two teams is about as wide as going from Lincoln, Neb., one weekend to Honolulu the next. But Lubick still must worry about his guys looking past the Rainbows.
Next week they travel to Tulsa to play a surprising Golden Hurricane team that knocked off Oklahoma nearly two weeks ago.
If he can get past this tough three-game stretch, Lubick could put his team in position to compete for the league title again.
"The big concern I have is making sure our character, our heads are on straight," Lubick said. "In my way of thinking, you never give up, even though playing Nebraska is like a mom and pop grocery store competing with Safeway.
"Going to Hawaii, a major concern is how our football team rebounds. We can talk all we want, but you have to show it. Maybe we can draw some positive things from having played this very difficult schedule."
While the defense struggles to replace such standouts as end Sean Moran and safety Greg Myers, the offense is more than doing its part.
The Rams are ranked No. 5 in the conference, averaging 465 yards a game. They scored a season-high 61 points against Tennessee-Chattanooga, while running up 34 in the loss to Colorado and 28 in a close defeat at Oregon.
Quarterback Moses Moreno has hit 76 of 138 passes for 1,323 yards and 10 touchdowns, while tossing only five interceptions.
Out of a two tight end and one-back set, the Rams also are very effective on the ground. Backs Damon Washington and Calvin Branch have been effective.
Washington has carried the ball 73 times for 510 yards and four touchdowns. Branch has countered with 369 yards on 49 carries and six touchdowns. Overall, the Rams average six yards a carry.
Despite losing top returning receiver Paul Turner to suspension, Colorado State still has a pair of talented players in Geoff Turner and Jeremy Calhoun.
Turner has 29 receptions for 586 yards and four touchdowns. Calhoun has 17 for 310 yards.
"Our offense has been solid so far this season," Lubick said. "We need them to be because our defense is lagging behind right now."
The University of Hawaii offensive coordinator didn't like what he saw this week as the Rainbows dipped to No. 15 in the league.
Only the Rice Owls are generating fewer yards a game than Hawaii's 239.6. The Rainbows are last in the league in scoring offense, averaging a paltry 10.2 points in their first five games.
"We've worked some new plays into the offense, some longer routes to give (UH quarterback) Glenn (Freitas) more options in the passing game," Benjamin said. "But it will be a season-long struggle unless we can run."
UH head coach Fred vonAppen said yesterday the Rainbows worked particularly hard in that area during practice. Hawaii is averaging only 110.4 yards a game on the ground.
FASI COMES THROUGH: Former Honolulu mayor Frank Fasi told vonAppen yesterday he was going to donate $50,000 to the program.
"I'm a little embarrassed we didn't respond sooner to his gift," vonAppen said. "I can't imagine what it would be because he made the offer a couple of weeks ago.
"We'll hand over the check to our Na Koa Club. Frank has been very friendly and we're certainly glad to have it."
UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida said yesterday the reason the athletic program didn't respond sooner was because Fasi originally wanted it to be a loan.
"We had a problem with that," Yoshida said. "I think it's great that he has made it a gift. We'll earmark it for football because it's a direct gift."
CHARTER TIME: It's possible the Rainbows will be chartering to San Diego next week, thanks to the day change implemented by San Diego State.
The Rainbows aren't sure what airlines they're going with and what days they will be flying because of playing on Friday night, instead of Saturday.
"The only thing I know for sure is we're going up Thursday," vonAppen said. "But everything else is messed up because of this.
"We feel San Diego State should pay the difference in the cost, no matter how we get there - charter or commercial. In my mind, we should tell them we're going to play Saturday night or not come at all. We'll take the 1-0 loss (through forfeit) and move on."
Yoshida wasn't quite that adamant, but did say San Diego State will make up the difference, no matter how they fly.
"Going by charter is a possibility, but we'll have to wait and see what happens," Yoshida said. "We'll discuss it. But San Diego State will definitely pay the difference from the original coast (of $83,000)."
VonAppen said United Airlines originally had agreed to fly Hawaii over to Los Angeles, drop off the other passengers, then take Hawaii directly to San Diego.
"Now, everything is up in the air," vonAppen said.
OSWALT TAKES BLAME: Senior place-kicker Carlton Oswalt takes the blame for his two blocked field goals at Fresno State.
"I watched the film and it wasn't because we were lined up too close," Oswalt said. "In fact, (holder) Johnny (Macon) might have been a little too far away on the first kick. The second one, Johnny did a good job of getting the ball down. I even got it off faster than the first one, but they came hard off the edge and got it."
VonAppen said Oswalt wasn't to blame. He said the formation was too tight, allowing the guy to come clean off the edge.