Wednesday, September 26, 2001

[ UH WARRIOR FOOTBALL ]

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UH’s D-line readies
for Rice’s option attack
with musical chairs

Iosua returns and Samuseva
wins a start at tackle

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By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com

Lui Fuga said he won't make his long-awaited return to the Hawaii football team's defensive line this Saturday against Rice.

But in their attempt to combat the Owls' option offense, the Warrior coaches still have some choices along the defensive front.

Mike Iosua will start at left tackle, Lance Samuseva at right tackle, and possibly, Travis Laboy at right end, defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said. The only holdover starter on the front four from last Saturday's 28-20 loss at Nevada might be left end Laanui Correa.

But defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said the Warriors will continue to rotate in waves of players, including Wayne Hunter, Brett Clowers, Houston Ala and Kevin Jackson.

Defensive end/outside linebacker Joe Correia did not practice yesterday; he aggravated an old injury to his right foot in Saturday's game, but could still figure into the mix Saturday.

Sione Tafuna, recently re-assigned from the offense, might get some downs, too, Lempa said.

With Fuga still out, the coaches hope Iosua's return will stabilize the line.

"They're all going to play anyway," Lempa said. "Mike Iosua will definitely help. He's our captain and our best defensive lineman. We miss him when he's not there."

Iosua, who started in the opening victory against Montana, did not make the trip to Reno because of a hyperextended knee. UH was manhandled up front and Wolf Pack running back Chance Kretschmer rumbled for 162 yards.

"Mike's one of our better inside players. He gives us leadership and makes a lot of plays," head coach June Jones said. "He's kind of gone unnoticed."

Hawaii is a three-point favorite, despite the appearance that the Owls' strength (running the ball) matches up against the Warriors' weakness (defending the run).

Rice (2-1) leads the Western Athletic Conference by far and is 15th in the nation with 234.7 yards rushing per game. Hawaii (1-1) is eighth in the 10-team WAC and 91st in the nation, yielding 192.5 yards per game on the ground.

The Owls' offense is loaded with weapons, Lempa said.

"Both (Rice) quarterbacks (Kyle Herm and Greg Henderson) are very good," he said. "The fullback (Jamie Tyler) is very effective and now they're throwing the ball and they have two good looking receivers (Gavin Boothe and Gilbert Okoronkwo)."

It was hoped that Fuga -- who returned to practice yesterday -- would be available, but he said he is still not ready after shoulder surgery.

"I'm about 50-percent," said Fuga, who seemed to will himself into action last season despite injuries. "Every little thing is a struggle right now."

Fuga expressed confidence in Samuseva, who has played well in a backup role the first two games.

"Personally, I think Lance deserves to start," Fuga said. "He's done a real good job when he's played. Him and Mike will make a good combination. We'll be solid this time."

Also, Hunter has been switched from tackle to end, which is the natural position for the 6-foot 6-inch, 280 pound sophomore, and Tafuna, an offensive lineman, has been moved to defense to help beef up the interior line depth.

Hunter effectively becomes a backup but will still see plenty of playing time. As a freshman at Cal two years ago, he was effective in the role of a part-time defensive end.

"It shouldn't be that hard a transition since I played the position before," he said.

Hunter said Washington ran the option when he played against them in 1999.

Tafuna's experience against a similar offense goes back to 1995, when he played scout team defense as a true freshman on Bob Wagner's last Rainbows team.

Singletary said the key to beating the option is discipline.

"You have to play assignment football," Singletary said. "You can't go out there trying for killshots."

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