By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin
For the third time in as many Western Athletic Conference games, the Rainbows are facing a statistically challenged defense.
Colorado State is ranked No. 15 in the league and No. 108 (out of 111 Division I teams) in total defense, yielding a mind-boggling 530 yards a game.
But if you have followed Hawaii football closely, you know that's no guarantee for success. Wyoming and Fresno State were statistically similar to Colorado State, and those two teams beat Hawaii by a combined score of 86-0.
UH offensive coordinator Guy Benjamin swears he never looks at his opponents' statistics because there's no need.
"We have enough to worry about with our own execution," Benjamin said. "We've struggled mightily against the run, and that's killed our passing game.
"Colorado State runs a similar 4-3 defense to what Fresno State ran and what Wyoming ran. I'm sure they'll be studying those films and trying to do the same things to stop us."
Unfortunately for Benjamin, Hawaii has done more to stop itself than any one opponent. The Rainbows have improved up front against the pass, but aren't holding their blocks long enough for the running back to hit the hole.
As a result, Hawaii is averaging only 110 yards a game on the ground. Carlos Shaw is the leading rusher with 149 on 40 carries. To make matters worse, the Rainbows also have only one rushing touchdown, and that was on a fourth down quarterback sneak by Glenn Freitas.
"If you are a student of this offense, you know it takes a year or two before it starts to work," Benjamin said. "San Francisco was only 2-14 the first year Bill Walsh was head coach.
"So, it's going to take some time for the guys to learn how to execute and get down the timing on the pass plays. We've put in some new intermediate routes for Glenn this week, so he won't dump it out in the flat as much."
UH defensive coordinator Don Lindsey certainly hopes so. His unit spends an average of 32 minutes on the field a game. That kind of total has a way of exposing the game plan in a hurry.
"There are only so many things you can do to stop your opponent," Lindsey said. "But you'd like not to have to reveal everything you have in only one half.
"Once your defense gets overexposed, it's a lot easier for their offense to beat you. We've spent too much time out there. Consequently, our guys get tired."
And fatigue is something a team can ill afford in this league with Colorado State being no exception. While the Rams' defense is lacking, the offense is downright frightening.
Quarterback Moses Moreno can hand off to a pair of talented running backs, who run freely behind a big, mobile offensive line. He has the luxury of throwing to three reliable receivers.
Geoff Turner, Jeremy Calhoun and Eli Workman have combined to catch 55 passes for 989 yards and seven touchdowns. Running backs Damon Washington and Calvin Branch are averaging 7.2 yards a carry.
Washington has 510 yards and four touchdowns. Branch counters with 369 and six scores.
"They can be a power running team or they can hurt you with the pass," Lindsey said. "They like to have one back looking for a hole to cut through.
"They also have an experienced quarterback, who has a pair of good receivers to throw to. That Turner kid has blown by everybody he's faced, so we have to watch him. It doesn't get any easier for us."
Overall, the Rainbows play statistically better defense than their Colorado State counterparts. Hawaii is yielding only 352 yards a game, good enough for fourth in the WAC.
Last year, the Rams just lined up and ran the football right down the middle of the field. They generated 319 yards on 61 carries, en route to the 22-0 win.
"It might not be fancy in this day and age of the forward pass, but it's effective play-calling," Lindsey said. "If you can get five yards every time you carry the football, you're going to usually win the game."
Rainbows athletic director Hugh Yoshida said yesterday that the extra money used for this flight will be paid for by San Diego State.
Hawaii was originally scheduled to meet the Aztecs on Oct. 12, but the game was moved back one day because of a possible conflict with the San Diego Padres in the major-league baseball playoffs.
The Rainbows were going to fly Delta Airlines, but had to change flight arrangements because of the last-second date change imposed by San Diego State.
"We're going over in an empty plane on Thursday," Yoshida said. "We'll come back Saturday evening on a commercial Hawaiian Airlines flight.
"If some people want to come over with us on the charter, it will cost them $200. They'll have to make arrangements with Hawaiian Airlines for the return trip."
This will be the first charter flight for football in the history of the school. UH head coach Fred vonAppen was happy about that, but didn't want it to stop here.
"We want to fly charter from now on and have some of our football fans help defray the costs," vonAppen said after yesterday's light Cooke Field workout.
"This can't be just some one-shot deal. We need to keep this thing rolling right along."
Hawaii also will have a charter flight to the Air Force Academy at the end of this month. The Rainbows will fly to San Francisco on a regular United Airlines commercial flight.
United will then fly Hawaii directly to Colorado Springs, Colo., and then take the Rainbows back after the game to San Francisco, where they will catch a commercial flight home.
INJURY REPORT: Tight end Gary Ellison, who sprained his knee in the Wyoming game, will be available to play this weekend against Colorado State.
"I'm not sure we will use him," vonAppen said. "He's been able to practice some this week, but he said his knee is still sore."
The same can be said of the shoulder of defensive lineman Kekoa Kilcoyne. He injured it in the Fresno State game last weekend and has been limited in what he can do in practice.
Running back Jade Charles returned to practice, but said yesterday that he would not be able to play this weekend. He pulled a hamstring against Ohio University and has been sidelined.
Safety Daniel Ho-Ching did not receive a medical clearance from his physician and may have to undergo more treatments for cancer. It has sidelined him for almost a year.
CAPTAINS NAMED: VonAppen said the captains for this week's game with Colorado State will be Doe Henderson on special teams, Mark Hernandez on offense and Greg Roach on defense.
Although Henderson is the special teams captain, he will not be returning punts as he has in the past. That falls on the shoulder pads of Eddie Klaneski.
Hernandez is bouncing back from an ankle sprain last week. He will start at offensive right tackle. Roach will back up Rufus Ayeni at outside linebacker.