It's usually less than ideal when a cornerback is your leading tackler. After two games, sophomore Hyrum Peters, who plays the position for Hawaii, leads the Warriors with 18 stops. Peters finds ways
Chang seeks revenge
to make tackles
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comSome of those involved Peters tackling a receiver who caught a ball in front of him as UH yielded 848 yards in a victory over Montana and a loss at Nevada.
But many of Peters' stops are because he is very good at shedding blockers and is a sure tackler. That makes him valuable as UH tries to slow down Rice's option offense Saturday at Aloha Stadium.
Peters made 13 tackles against the Owls last year in his first collegiate start. He said success against the option means defenders often have to resist the instinct to swarm to the ball.
"The thing is to keep your eyes on your man at all times, it's mental," Peters said. "You can't watch the ball. Sometimes your eyes get caught up on the ball because you're taught to be aggressive. You've got to be calm and patient, do your job and trust your teammates to do theirs."
The former Kahuku High School standout is only 5-feet 8-inches and 182 pounds, but he starts because of his savvy and knowledge of Hawaii's defensive schemes.
"He's pretty solid. He's tough and he knows what he's doing out there," UH coach June Jones said.
BYU switch official: All the details have been worked out, and the Brigham Young at Hawaii game has been officially switched from Dec. 1 to Dec. 8. The game will be broadcast by ESPN2. Kickoff time has not been determined.
Ticket-holders have until Oct. 19 to bring tickets to the Stan Sheriff Center box office for a refund. They can also be mailed to UH Ticket Office, 1337 Lower Campus Road, Honolulu, HI 96822-2370.
The Dead Zone, Part II: UH isn't the only team that moved the ball between the 20s but had trouble punching it in for points last week. Rice generated 365 yards of offense, but lost 48-3 to Nebraska last Thursday.
"They're so big and powerful we just didn't get the ball in," Rice coach Ken Hatfield said. "We threw a couple passes that we thought had a chance because of single coverage, but we didn't hit them. And we missed two field goals."
Special guy: UH junior Sean Butts continues to play well on special teams. Against Nevada, Butts blocked an extra point and made a pinning tackle on a kickoff, helping to spring Justin Colbert for a 34-yard return. Against Montana, Butts recovered a Grizzly fumble on a punt.
One of the fastest Warriors, he's often the first player down the field on kicks and punts.
"He was our special teams player of the week against Montana," Jones said. "He's gotten really good on punt and kick coverage."
Butts was originally a wide receiver but was switched to safety. He said the experience on both sides of the ball helps his special teams play.
"I guess we all have roles. I'm just trying to improve from last year," he said.
"On (blocking) kicks, it's the D-line that does the hard work. All I have to do is jump. If they get a good surge, we get a chance," Butts added. "Tackling and shedding blocks makes you a better special teams player. But having been an offensive player helps too, on blocking."
New parking rule: In an attempt to alleviate traffic congestion, parking will only be allowed in areas adjacent to the entrances driven into at the Aloha Stadium lot.
Also, coolers, backpacks and bags are not allowed to be brought in, and all purses will be checked, according to a release from the stadium.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
