’Bows hope to
keep BYU grounded

The Cougars' vaunted passing attack
is one of Hawaii's biggest worries

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

Don Lindsey doesn't view Brigham Young University as an old defenseless Cougar with patches of matted fur and missing teeth.

Instead, the defensive coordinator for the University of Hawaii sees this weekend's Western Athletic Conference opponent as a wounded animal waiting to strike at the nearest thing that comes along.

"Yes, they have some injuries and are coming off a disappointing loss at Rice," Lindsey said. "And yeah, they probably aren't as good as they were last year. But that doesn't mean they aren't a good football team.

"We won't prepare any differently just because they have a new quarterback in there. That's because BYU is an established program that practices the same way and runs the same plays, no matter who is at quarterback. The players may change, but the system doesn't that much."

Obviously, Lindsey hopes the system doesn't run as well with Paul Shoemaker at quarterback. The junior began the season as the starter against Washington, but was so ineffective, he was lifted for Kevin Feterick.

Feterick remained the quarterback until the start of the second half last weekend at Rice. He broke his ankle, forcing Shoemaker into duty. The Cougars didn't score a point while he was in there. He went 0 for 5 with one interception, and had one carry for four yards.

"He came in and struggled, but it was raining very hard that night," Lindsey said. "You have to factor that in. Our job as a defense will be to try to put pressure on him in obvious passing situations. I believe they will design a game plan where they will try to establish the run first.

"They have a huge offensive line (from tackle to tackle the Cougars average 306 pounds and stand 6-foot-6 in height), and if they watch the films of the Colorado State and Wyoming games, you have to figure they'll try to run as much as they can.

"If that happens, then the play-action passes for their quarterback will be that much more effective. They will probably try to design some pass routes that will help give him some confidence. We also have to watch (Dustin Johnson) because sometimes he lines up at running back and sometimes at tight end."

Johnston is effective at either position. He is a good lead blocker for top running back Brian McKenzie -- who has rushed for 377 yards and four touchdowns -- and he is second in receptions with 22 for 272 yards and one score.

"This is a formidable football team year in and year out," Lindsey said. "You have to respect their coaches and their players for what they've consistently accomplished over the years."

You don't have to remind UH offensive coordinator Wally English of how effective BYU can be. He was the coordinator at the Provo, Utah, university during the formative days of BYU head coach LaVell Edwards' program.

English's offensive system has some roots at BYU. He likes to stretch the defense with the long ball and three wide receiver sets. His tight end figures prominently in pass patterns as well.

But with Josh Skinner at quarterback, the veteran coach was forced to alter his tried-and true methods. Instead of a drop-back passer, he has a quarterback who prefers the perimeter and throwing on the run.

With that in mind, Hawaii went to more of a one-back, two-tight end offense that set up the pass with a traditional ground game. It was a simplified approach designed to offset the rush-happy Fresno State defense.

"We go into each week with the same play book, we just use different plays in it," English said. "We've seen this defensive front several times this year. They are a lot like Wyoming in that they line up the same way and say, 'If you can whip us, go ahead.'

"They are a stout unit. When I saw them play Washington, several times they knocked back the Washington linemen. They play man coverage in their secondary probably 75 percent of the time, and they try to put pressure on you out of their front seven."

Middle linebacker Rob Morris leads the BYU team in tackles with 52. Outside linebacker Spencer Reid is second with 38. Right end Byron Frisch leads the team in quarterback sacks with three.

"We're going to go in with the idea of trying to establish the run with Charles Tharp," English said. "As the game goes along, we'll try to take what they give us, but it's going to be a challenge, especially at their place."

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