There's a reason University of Hawaii defensive coordinator Don Lindsey used to run with the big dogs of college football -- he loves the hunt.Last year, the Rainbows' defense left Lindsey wondering if it were time to retire and drink buttermilk on the back porch. Never during his coaching days at Southern California, Arkansas and Alabama had he been around anything quite like this.
But instead of throwing up his hands in UH head coach Fred vonAppen's face and looking for a job in the real world of college football, he decided to stick it out.
It was a good move for Hawaii.
The Western Athletic Conference statistics were released yesterday and guess which team is ranked No. 1 in rushing, total and scoring defense in the league? Amazingly, the Rainbows.
This was a team that last year finished No. 101 nationally against the run, No. 87 in total defense and No. 102 in scoring defense.
Granted, it's only week two, but the Rainbows are No. 9 in the nation against the run -- yielding a stingy 55.5 yards a game -- No. 23 in total defense (271.5 yards) and No. 22 in scoring defense (12 points a game).
The Rainbows also are first in the league in quarterback sacks with 13, just one away from tying their 1996 total. And they are third in the league in third-down conversions, yielding only 16.7 percent.
The reason for this turnaround?
Well, outside linebacker Kamuela Cobb-Adams comes to mind. He didn't have a sack in his entire collegiate career before this season. He's tops in the league with four.
The play of fellow linebacker Doug Rosevold -- who leads the team in tackles with 16 -- and defensive backs Chris Shinnick and Eddie Klaneski also roll off the tongue.
"And that shows you this is a team game that allows individuals to succeed given the right circumstances," Lindsey said. "The players deserve all the credit. They are the ones making the plays, scoring the touchdowns and helping our offense any way they possibly can.
"It's great, but we've only played two games. It's a lot better than last year. But if we're in the same spot at the end of the season, talk to me then."
Some of the players also were a little reticent to discuss their recent success, prefering to wait a while before fans throw them a parade.
"We still have to keep it in perspective because it's just the first two games," Rosevold said. "We still have to play a lot of quality opponents, starting this weekend with Wyoming.
"The important thing is, we're on the right track. And that's key for us. We realize that swarming is the most important thing. Coach Lindsey can put up all the defenses in the world, but if we don't run to the football, it won't matter."
HAWAII 77TH: Hawaii isn't exactly No. 1 with the bullet, but the Rainbows are climbing steadily in the latest Scripps-Howard poll.
Hawaii was ranked No. 148 out of 232 Division I and Division I-AA teams in the preseason rankings. After the Rainbows knocked off the Matadors of Cal State Northridge last Saturday night, they jumped to No. 77.
"I'm speechless," vonAppen said. "Break out the champagne. Hearing that just made my day."
The Rainbows have a power rating of 84.8., up from the 68.8 they had at the beginning of the season. By comparison, the University of Washington is No. 1 in the computer ranking with a 118.1 rating. That means, the Rainbows would be a 35-point underdog on a neutral field.
Wyoming is ranked No. 33 in the poll with a 97.8 power rating.
"I don't read the newspapers or watch television," Carey said. "But it's great because it's a reflection on the way the offense played."
The 83 percent completion rate against Northridge set a team record for passing. But in his mind, Carey still has a long way to go before finding a comfort zone.
"I especially have to stop forcing the football, which I did a lot last week," Carey said.
League rules don't apply in nonconference games. Had Northridge filed a complaint or the league officials made a specific request, then Klemm could have been held out for the first half.
"At first, Coach (Wally) English told me I would be out two weeks," Klemm said. "I took him serious, but then he smiled and told me I was cleared to play.
"I was glad. The films showed that I really didn't do anything that bad. I was just trying to break away from the guy."
VonAppen hopes the lesson learned by Klemm and the rest of the team is don't throw punches.
"I'm glad we'll have him back with us because we need everybody against Wyoming," vonAppen said. "But that kind of behavior won't be tolerated."
Wide receiver Jason Mane (knee) also has a chance to play for the first time in a month. Running back Anthony Diieso is questionable with turf toe and nose guard Tony Tuioti (knee) is out for at least a month.
The Rainbows will count on freshman Miles Garner to step in and play this weekend. He will back up Bob Piggot.
"I feel badly for Tony. He's a really good football player," Garner said. "But he'll be back. Meanwhile, I'll do what I can to help the team."
Well, league officials conceded they blew the call.
"I felt good about it because the coaches weren't mad at me as much," Hunter said. "But Eddie doesn't get the touchdown and that still hurts."
VonAppen said the crew was graded down by head WAC official Mike Pereira.
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