English speaks up for offense
quieted by injuries

University of Hawaii offensive coordinator Wally English isn't the kind of man to keep his feelings to himself.

At yesterday's Quarterback Club luncheon, he took a shot at the media for being critical of the Rainbows' football team. Once he was done, he received a rousing ovation from the attendees.

English pointed out that the Rainbows have been plagued by injures on offense, including quarterback, running back, wide receiver and along the line.

While BYU started its second-string quarterback, English pointed out that the Rainbows had their No. 3 man in Josh Skinner. Running backs Charles Tharp (shoulder) and Calvin Mims (knee) also were slowed by injuries.

So were left tackle Adrian Klemm (ankle), center Shane Oliveira (strep throat and ankle), right guard Gary Krug (knee) and receiver Eneu Kane (shinsplints and concussion).

UH has failed to score a touchdown in three games this year. But English asked that before you berate the team, consider the circumstances.

"I thought our poor, little battered team went out there and played pretty well against a good BYU team," English said of Saturday's 17-3 loss to the Cougars. "The criticism is unfair and I just came here today to give our guys some credit, even though we haven't gotten the ball in the end zone.

"We're not the most talented team in the WAC. But I'm here to represent those kids. And I think they did the best job they could."

VonAppen was unhappy with KFVE-TV's Brooks Baehr and Larry Goeas for some of their observations during the game.

"I don't want people to think this is just a deal with the print media," vonAppen said. "Some of their comments during the game angered some of the coaches' wives back here, who know better. If you're going to say things on television, you'd better have some idea of what you're talking about. I can't quarrel with people who come to practice every day to see what we're doing. But if you don't show up every day, how do you know what we're trying to get accomplished with the personnel we have available to us?"

HAWAII MOVES UP: Despite the 14-point loss to the Cougars, the Rainbows moved up several spots in the Scripps-Howard computer poll released yesterday.

The Rainbows are 94th among the 232 Division I and Division I-AA teams with a power rating of 82.1. The University of Florida is ranked first with a rating of 116.8. That means on a neutral field, the Gators would be favored by five touchdowns.

San Diego State, UH's opponent this weekend, is 77th with an 85.1 rating. With home-field advantage worth four points, Hawaii should be a one-point favorite over a team the Rainbows haven't beat in seven years. Opening Las Vegas lines have the Aztecs favored by a touchdown.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: While the defense cracked the top 50 nationally in several major categories, the offense continues to lag behind.

Hawaii is 109th of 112 teams in total offense, averaging 256.1 yards a game. Last year, the Rainbows finished 106th with the same average.

English's boys are doing a better job of passing than running. The Rainbows are 86th in passing (167.9 yards a game), 102nd in rushing (88.3) and 103rd in scoring (14.7 points a game).

"There are several reasons why we haven't been able to accomplish our goals," English said. "One, we don't have a quarterback tall enough to run the drop-back passing attack.

"We're also not strong enough or deep enough along the offensive front to overcome injuries. Since Tim Carey and Dan Robinson went down, we've had to change our offense in midstream. So all of that stuff contributes to our overall numbers."

Hawaii fell out of the top 50 in net punting for the first time this season. The Rainbows are 62nd with a 36.2-yard average.

The Rainbows are 30th in turnover margin, with a plus .57 a game, 35th in kickoff returns (22.1 yards) and 90th in punt returns (6.4).

INJURY REPORT: The Rainbows are battered and bruised through seven games, but only linebacker Stephen Gonzales (knee) and quarterbacks Dan Robinson (shinsplints) and Tim Carey (shoulder) are out indefinitely.

Down linemen Bob Piggot (knee) and Matt Elam (neck), who didn't make the trip to BYU, are being evaluated. Both could play against San Diego State.

Kane and strong safety Ron Wood suffered mild concussions. Kane is probable, but Wood was downgraded to doubtful after practice. Several other players limped around during yesterday's light workout at Cooke Field, but all are expected to be in the lineup Saturday.

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