Controversial officials’
calls questioned

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

If you were wondering if the officials were from the Western Athletic Conference or members of Notre Dame's fan club, you weren't alone.

Even the ESPN announcers questioned several calls in Notre Dame's 23-22 victory over the University of Hawaii.

Chief among them occurred in the second quarter when UH quarterback Tim Carey tried to hit wide receiver John Kirby in the corner of the end zone on a fade route.

Television replays clearly showed Notre Dame cornerback Ivory Covington shoving Kirby while the ball is in the air. Had Kirby not been pushed, he would have had the opportunity to catch the pass, but no flag was thrown.

Instead of having a fresh set of downs inside the Notre Dame 5-yard-line, the Rainbows had to settle for a 23-yard field goal that cut Notre Dame's lead to 14-9.

"I'm not the kind of coach to criticize officials," UH head coach Fred vonAppen said. "But the face-mask penalty bothered me a little bit, too."

That occurred after Hawaii was forced to punt with 2:20 left in the game. Chad Shrout launched a 58-yarder that drove Autry Denson to the Notre Dame 30.

On the return, Bernard Santamaria grabbed Denson's face mask and held on for two steps. The officials ruled it was a personal foul, giving the Irish excellent field position at the Hawaii 49.

WILL LINDSEY RETURN?: UH defensive coordinator Don Lindsey

didn't want to talk about whether he would return for a third season with the Rainbows.

He said after Saturday night's game that he wanted to take some time off with his family before reaching a decision. He said his contract ran until February.

He also said he wasn't looking for another job and hadn't been approached about one. But he does wish the UH administration would address some concerns he has about retirement benefits.

"What concerns me most is there is no retirement package for coaches," Lindsey said. "I have to stay here 10 years to qualify for retirement benefits.

"And yet I'm a member of the union. I pay union dues. And I have to stay here 10 years? What are the chances of that? They've got you over a barrel when you come here.

"So, there's things to be considered for me and my family. This isn't an employee-friendly place. I guess you're supposed to consider yourself lucky to be here."

Lindsey received a big raise from UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida last year. Considering how well the defense performed this season, it was money well spent.

VonAppen said he wants Lindsey to stay on board, but didn't want it to appear as if the defensive coordinator was holding UH for ransom.

"I didn't like that crying wolf deal last year," vonAppen said. "Whether he did it or the media did it. He didn't like it and I didn't admire it. You either decide you're going to do it and go on, or you leave. We're all replaceable.

"But with that said, part of the contract negotiations will be what's in it for all of my coaches, not just for me. We've had good people. But in order to keep them we're going to have to be creative. We also have to be able to lure the same quality out here, if I should lose one of my coordinators."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Hawaii finished No. 21 in the nation in total defense, holding opponents to a stingy 322 yards a game.

Last year, the Rainbows placed No. 87 in total defense, yielding 412.2 yards a game. Hawaii also was among the top 50 nationally against the run and pass.

The pass defense was ranked No. 37 with a rating index of 114.72. The Rainbows finished No. 48 in the country against the run, yielding an average of 139.7 yards a game. Last year, the Rainbows were No. 101 vs. the run (233.1 yards a game) and No. 85 against the pass (132.83 index).

Hawaii's kickers finished among the top 50 nationally. Shrout was No. 5 in punting (46.07 yards a kick) and place-kicker Eric Hannum was tied for No. 23 in field goals, averaging 1.25 a game.

THARP ON PATROL: UH freshman running back Charles Tharp gained 114 yards on the ground in the loss to Notre Dame to finish with 796 for the season.

He also led the Rainbows in receptions with 42, receiving yards (435) and touchdowns (eight).

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http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu