Thursday, November 26, 1998
Tradition
‘fires up’
Michigan
The Wolverines probably won't
By Paul Arnett
be sky-high for UH, but it
shouldn't matter
Star-BulletinHawaii offensive coordinator Don Lindsey doesn't expect Michigan to be sky-high this weekend.
Under the tutelage of former Alabama head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, Lindsey learned that a college team "gets fired up" about two or three times a year.
Alabama goes crazy for Auburn, USC for UCLA, Florida for Florida State, Texas A&M for Texas, and you have to figure the Wolverines gave their best in last Saturday's loss at Ohio State.
By comparison, the excitement meter for No. 15 Michigan entering Saturday's regular-season finale against Hawaii at Aloha Stadium would be a flat line.
"But this is where tradition steps in and takes over," Lindsey said. "You may not be 'up for it' or 'fired up,' and all that kind of stuff. But you put on the Michigan helmet and that means something.
"You don't go out there complacent, you just don't. If the coaches can't say anything or do anything, if the game itself doesn't hype you, then the tradition takes over as well as the athletic skill."
Defensively, Michigan has the most athletic team Lindsey has seen in his three years at Hawaii. That's what having nine returning starters from last year's No. 1-rated unit will do for you.
Granted, Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson is gone. But senior inside linebacker Sam Sword is back with his team-leading 110 tackles, including three sacks. And senior outside linebacker James Hall leads the Wolverines in sacks with nine and has 55 tackles.
"They come at you in a base 3-4, but they jump into some eagle looks, some 46 defense and then beat you to death athletically," Lindsey said. "We haven't seen anybody nearly this good all year.
"I watch them on film and marvel at their athleticism. Their front seven can flat run you down. Outstanding pursuit. Excellent coverage in the secondary. I see no weaknesses for our quarterbacks to probe."
This week in practice, Hawaii has primarily used Dan Robinson and Josh Skinner at quarterback. Bronson Liana is also healthy enough to play, but all three are nursing a variety of injuries.
The offensive line is fairly healthy, as are running backs Charles Tharp and Calvin Mims and receivers Eleu Kane and Wesley Morris.
"We'll pretty much go with the same group," Lindsey said. "It's a formidable task, but I think our guys are up for it. It's one last chance to win a game."
UH defensive coordinator Tom Williams is worse off than Lindsey. He only has four healthy linemen, no healthy backups at cornerback and a collection of linebackers that could be extras in a war movie.
Despite debilitating injuries, linebackers Stephen Gonzales (shoulder) and Jeff Ulbrich (knee) are going to strap it on just for the opportunity to line up against the men of the Maize and Blue.
"I've always wanted to play against Michigan," Ulbrich said after yesterday's practice. The junior college transfer has been out since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament six weeks ago in the loss to Brigham Young. He'll have surgery early next week.
"I'll wear a brace and I can't hurt it any worse anyway, so it doesn't really matter," he said. "You don't get the opportunity to play against the defending national champions that often."
Gonzales has been down the last two games with a stinger in his shoulder. He also missed two games earlier this season with an ankle sprain.
"But I can't let this game go by," Gonzales said. "This is my last time on the field with a UH uniform. It's on national television. It's something I won't ever forget."
Williams said the two will back up Matt Paul and Joaquin Avila, who is nursing a bad ankle sprain.
Although Michigan's offense isn't as explosive as some national powerhouses, the likes of quarterback Tom Brady, receiver Tai Streets, and tailbacks Clarence Williams and Anthony Thomas will give the Rainbows all they can handle.
Much like Northwestern's D'Wayne Bates, Streets is a big receiver (6-4, 194) with good hands and speed. He has 55 receptions for 816 yards and nine touchdowns.
Thomas is the team's top rusher with 578 yards and four scores. Brady has passed for 2,285 yards and 12 touchdowns to complete the balanced attack.
"Michigan is a traditional Big Ten offense that will wear you down over the course of a game," Williams said. "They have good running backs, a competent quarterback and a big-time receiver.
"We have a bunch of guys headed toward off-season surgery who just want to have the opportunity to match up with the best. Well, this is their chance. All we can do is make the most of it."
http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu
