The unit that played best in Hawaii's 58-31 loss at Boise State last week will be under the most scrutiny Saturday. O-line will be
Nevada expected to pass
on the spot againBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comThe Warriors (3-2, 2-1 Western Athletic Conference) host the Wolf Pack (2-3, 1-0) on Saturday at Aloha Stadium. If UH's offensive line underachieves like it did in Reno a year ago, Hawaii might lose to Nevada again.
The Warriors allowed six sacks on that hot afternoon at Mackay Stadium. They've given up only four in five games this year.
"I watched the tape and got sick to my stomach," offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said. "We played poorly, didn't communicate."
Right guard Vince Manuwai said he and his linemates figured out what they did wrong last year. He said the Wolf Pack moved a linebacker to blitz around UH's tackles effectively.
"They had success with that and I know they'll try to bring that again," Manuwai said. "If they weren't getting the sack, they were always hitting (quarterback) Timmy (Chang) on that look. We can't be having Timmy getting hit all the time."
Nevada's sacks were spread out among six players; two of them, tackle Derek Kennard and end J.D. Morscheck, still play defense for the Wolf Pack (Chris Hines moved to offense).
Kennard and linebacker Logan Carter each have two of Nevada's five sacks this season.
Hawaii coach June Jones said UH's offensive line came out of the Boise State debacle with high marks. Manuwai was also pleased.
"A loss is a loss, but performance-wise and playing together, this was probably our best game," Manuwai said. "Watching the film, from start to end, we didn't worry about anybody else, just what we gotta do."
Chang has confidence in the line.
"(Cavanaugh) has them prepared each and every game. I don't worry about those guys. I believe in them and trust them. I know they got my back," Chang said. "They know what happened last year and they don't want to let it happen again."
Father of Nevada assistant dies: Wolf Pack defensive coordinator Jeff Mills left the team Tuesday for Iowa following the death of his father, Jay Mills, who died of a heart attack. Nevada coach Chris Tormey said Jeff Mills will not be in Hawaii for Saturday's game.
Sophomore cornerback Marlon McLaughlin said the coach will be missed.
"We want to bring this one home for him," McLaughlin said. "We want him to come home and be able to see that his team played well for him."
Denny Schuler is the interim defensive coordinator.
West ready, Bass not: UH running back John West pronounced himself fit to play Saturday after practicing with the second unit yesterday, saying the ankle he tweaked against Boise State was feeling better every day.
Leading rusher Mike Bass, though, will probably miss another game with a partially torn PCL. He was to try to practice full speed today, but he said he was "75 percent" yesterday.
Michael Brewster took most of the first-team reps yesterday, and Pesefea Fiaseu ran third team.
Starter Thero Mitchell rested his sore shoulder. If he practices today he might play Saturday.
Short yardage: Nevada has moved former Wolf Pack basketball player Corey Jackson (6-feet-7, 240 pounds) from defensive end to tight end. ... UH's Chad Kapanui showed his versatility again yesterday by splitting time with Ryan Stickler at scout-team quarterback.
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