Thursday, November 8, 2001
Going into this season, the offensive line was considered one of Hawaii's strongest units, if not the best. UH allowed only 10 sacks all of last year. Pointing fingers
a sign of good things
for Hawaii offensive lineThe 5 Warrior linemen pick out
assignments before each snapBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comBut Hawaii, with four starters returning, yielded 25 sacks in its first seven games this fall.
Warrior coach June Jones hasn't voiced displeasure, saying the line's play has been acceptable or better all season. He has pointed out the blockers have a tough job, with no tight end and more than 46 passes per game.
UH (6-2, 5-2 WAC) goes into Saturday's homecoming game against Boise State (5-4, 4-2) at Aloha Stadium with a five-game winning streak, so it's hard to complain about anything. Plus, the Warriors' line allowed only one sack in last Saturday's 34-10 victory over San Jose State.
While going through their bad run, the Warriors didn't point fingers -- and that was the problem, literally, according to offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh.
Before each play, the linemen are supposed to confirm their blocking assignments by pointing at defenders.
"If you go back to the Nevada game (which UH lost 28-20 while giving up six sacks) and look at the videotape, no one's pointing. If no one's pointing the communication's not good," Cavanaugh said. "We're going good on that now."
Senior left guard Manly Kanoa said the Warriors have made better efforts to work as a unit in recent games.
"We knew the first half of the season was a big letdown by the offensive line," he said. "It was disheartening, but we've come back with a new commitment. We weren't communicating and making all our calls and getting everything set before the play. We were just careless and not doing everything that we were doing last year."
Boise State is fifth in the WAC with 17 sacks for 116 yards. There is no one key pass rusher on which to concentrate; end Marcus Purkiss and tackle Bobby Hammer lead the Broncos with three sacks each.
The Warriors, who have started the same five offensive linemen every game this season -- left tackle Lui Fuata, Kanoa, center Brian Smith, right guard Vince Manuwai and right tackle Uriah Moenoa -- figure they'll do OK ... as long as they keep talking and pointing.
"After you communicate, you believe what you see and then it comes down to technique," Cavanaugh said. "But it's hard to play this game blind and without knowing who you have to block."
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