Thursday, September 24, 1998

For ’Bows,
‘D’ stands
for decline

Despite high hopes, the UH
defense is a disappointing
86th in the country

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

Last year's gaudy defensive numbers for the University of Hawaii have been stomped into the ground by the University of Arizona and University of Utah offenses this season.

In 1997, the Rainbows finished 20th in the nation in total defense, yielding a stingy 322 yards a game. With the front seven basically intact, there were high hopes Hawaii would at least duplicate that ranking, and perhaps improve on it.

But so far, the numbers are reminiscent of the old days.

Hawaii enters Saturday's nonconference game with Arkansas State rated 86th in total defense, giving up an average of 406.5 yards a game.

Granted, Arizona and Utah have solid offenses. The two teams are among the top 25 in total offense and are a combined 6-0 for the season.

But you get the feeling that Hawaii head coach Fred vonAppen believes the 0-2 Rainbows should have matched up better defensively in those two losses. In major team stats, he said UH is ranked highest in rushing defense -- 62nd.

"And that's not exactly an eye-opener when you consider we're giving up 160 yards a game on the ground," vonAppen said. "That's dead average, and something we need to work on."

First-year defensive coordinator Tom Williams said Arkansas State's traditional offense should help the Rainbows improve on their numbers.

Not that he's waiting for them to be released by the NCAA each Sunday night. Quite the contrary. When asked after yesterday's practice, he didn't know where the Rainbows were ranked on defense.

"I'll look at those at the end of the season," Williams said. "Last year, we weren't that highly ranked from the beginning of the season. We worked hard to achieve that number over 12 games.

"My concern is getting the best 11 guys on the field, and we think we finally found that. Our front seven was solid coming in, but our secondary was inexperienced. So it takes time for everything to come together."

Hawaii's pass defense has been the weak link statistically. The Rainbows are ranked 14th out of 16 teams in the Western Athletic Conference and are 95th nationally with a 146.77 rating. By comparison, TCU is first in the WAC and 10th in the country at 84.99.

It's likely the 1-2 Indians will try to exploit Hawaii's secondary. Quarterback Cleo Lemon has completed 42 of 97 passes for 658 yards and three touchdowns. He hasn't thrown an interception, but has been sacked 12 times in three games.

"We're going to be aggressive and try to keep the pressure on him," Williams said. "But we have to be careful because that scatback (Lennie Johnson) is a tough little receiver who can burn you.

"It's tough to say what kind of running game they have because they've trailed in a couple of their games and had to get away from it. But they line up in a traditional I-formation with two wideouts and one tight end."

Johnson has been the team's most effective weapon. He has 12 catches for 203 yards and one touchdown. Fellow receiver Robert Kilow has nine catches for 198 yards and a TD.

Lamont Zachery leads the team in rushing with 95 yards on 27 carries and one touchdown. But the Indians are averaging only 40.3 yards a game on the ground.

"They're actually worse than us," UH offensive coordinator Don Lindsey said, them smiled.

Hawaii is 100th in the nation with a 78-yard rushing average.

"But hopefully we can make some improvements on those numbers," Lindsey said.

"They run a traditional 5-2 defense. They have three down linemen and two linebackers on the edge and two in the middle. LSU had trouble blocking their nose tackle (Matt Smith) and that end (Clarence Williams) is a man. Up front, they are more athletic than we are."

Williams is third in tackles for the Indians with 19, including four sacks. Cornerback Sean Mitchell leads the team with 39 tackles. Arkansas State has forced four interceptions.

"This team is very similar to Northeast Louisiana, and you saw what happened in that game," Lindsey said (Northeast Louisiana defeated UH, 23-20, in overtime last year). "They are going to have some athletes who have played against tough opponents. We certainly aren't going to intimidate them."

Dan Robinson will start at quarterback for UH. But Rainbow QBs continue to struggle in practice.

"Dan just had one of the worst practices he's had," Lindsey said. "And Shawn Withy-Allen also struggled, but I guess there are going to be days like that.

"My biggest fear is we'll play a game like we practice and we won't make an inch. We've been fortunate that hasn't happened -- yet."

Indians all business JONESBORO, Ark. -- Arkansas State coach Joe Hollis said he got the workout he was looking for from the Indians in their last practice of the week. The Indians leave today for Hawaii. The two teams meet Saturday at Aloha Stadium. The Indians are coming off a mediocre performance in last Saturday's home victory over Division 1-AA Southwest Missouri State. "We had good tempo today (yesterday) and everybody worked hard," Hollis said. "We needed a good practice before we left Jonesboro, and today was the day we got it." Hollis is calling the island venture a "business trip." Associated Press

---

http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu