Rainbows expect to see
plenty of passing

UNLV's top running back
is making noises about more carries,
but the Rebels strength is QB Jon Denton

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

Don Lindsey will have lots of loose change in his pockets this weekend, but it won't be for the slot machines in Las Vegas.

Instead, the University of Hawaii defensive coordinator will use his nickel-and-dime-packages Saturday night to try to slow down the multifaceted Nevada-Las Vegas offense.

"They will give us a lot of looks," Lindsey said yesterday. "By that I mean they'll be in one- and two-back formations. Sometimes they'll have two wide receivers and a tight end. Other times, they'll use three receivers and one back, and even go to four wide receivers on obvious passing downs.

"Unlike Wyoming, who kind of lined up and ran right at us, UNLV will be more wide-open like (Cal State) Northridge was. That doesn't mean they can't run the football, because they can with a back like Rodrick Johnson. But we expect them to be primarily a passing team."

Johnson, a senior, took a shot at the UNLV coaching staff after Monday's practice. He said he is unhappy with the number of times he carries the football. In his first two games, he has 30 rushes for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

During his junior college days at Dixie in nearby St. George, Utah, Johnson rushed for 2,338 yards and 25 touchdowns to win the National Junior College Athletic Association's Most Valuable Player award -- the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

The 5-foot-11, 230-pounder wants the ball more. Rebels head coach Jeff Horton said he will try to accommodate Johnson this weekend. And Lindsey believes him.

"If they watched our Wyoming film and saw what (Mike Jenkins) did to us, they may try to run more," Lindsey said. "But sometimes it's difficult to adjust your offensive scheme for one guy. They like to pass the football.

"And they have a quarterback (Jon Denton), and a group of receivers who are darn good at it. But if they do make the adjustments to give that big old back the ball more, we'll adjust, too. Right now, we'll use some nickel packages (five defensive backs) to try to control the pass.

"If they do run more, then we'll go back to our basic 3-4 package to try to line up and stop it. During a game, I kind of go by feel to see what the flow is, and then make adjustments. That's what being a coordinator is all about."

UH offensive coordinator Wally English also has made some adjustments during practice this week.

After a strong showing against Northridge, the Rainbows reverted to their nonproductive ways, due in part to a strong and talented Wyoming defense that used an eight-man front.

English doesn't expect the Rebels to come at the Rainbows in the same manner. He likens UNLV to Northridge in terms of formation and secondary coverage schemes.

"They'll be lined up in a 4-3, and probably use cover two and cover three schemes in the secondary," English said. "It's similar to what Northridge tried to run against us.

"I don't see them being as physical as Wyoming was, but we can't worry about them. We need to make some improvements in our passing game, work on our run and pass blocking and try to get Charles Tharp more involved in the offense."

Tharp carried the ball two times for two yards last Saturday night in a 35-6 loss to the Cowboys. Fortunately for English, fullback Calvin Mims tried to make up the difference. He had 55 yards on four carries and also took a screen pass 58 yards to set up a field goal by Eric Hannum.

English also said he expects quarterback Tim Carey to continue to improve. UNLV's secondary is suspect, something English hopes to exploit.

"We're still going to use our basic game plan this weekend," English said. "It looks like they have a good set of linebackers, who move well to the football, so it's not going to be easy. We need to execute better, limit our mistakes and we should be fine."

Rainbows schedule

Hawaii 17, Minnesota 3
Hawaii 34, Cal State Northridge 21
Wyoming, 35 Hawaii 6
Saturday, at UNLV, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 4, at Colorado State, 9:35 a.m.
Oct. 11, Fresno State, 7:35 p.m.
Oct. 18, at Brigham Young, 8:05 a.m.
Oct. 25, San Diego State, 7:05 p.m.
Nov. 1, Air Force, 7:05 p.m.
Nov. 15, at San Jose State, 10:35 a.m.
Nov. 22, Northeast Louisiana, 7:05 p.m.
Nov. 29, Notre Dame, TBA
All times are Hawaiian Standard Time

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Notebook

UH Rainbow Warrior
Football Schedule

http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu