[ UH FOOTBALL ]
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii running back Mike Bass ran in for a touchdown against Army on Saturday night at Aloha Stadium.
Teams lining up
for Hawaii BowlHigh-powered Louisville
would be an interesting
matchup
There's one team that can scoff at the school-record 741 yards and number of points Hawaii compiled in its 59-28 victory against Army on Saturday at Aloha Stadium.
And that team could end up playing the Warriors on Dec. 25 here in the Hawaii Bowl.
Louisville piled up 779 yards -- a school and Conference USA record -- in beating Houston 66-45 on Saturday. The Cardinals (8-3, 4-3) are among several C-USA teams up for consideration for Christmas in paradise, assuming they win enough games to be bowl-eligible.
"They're a possibility," Hawaii Bowl executive director Jim Donovan said yesterday. "There's also Memphis (8-3) and South Florida (6-4). Houston (6-5) also has a chance at being bowl-eligible and Alabama-Birmingham (5-6) is a longshot."
Southern Miss (8-3, 7-0) and TCU (10-1, 7-1) will likely go to the Liberty and GMAC bowls, Donovan said.
Louisville, which Hawaii has never played in football, is the most intriguing matchup.
"Our offense and their offense would make for a heckuva game," said Donovan, a former UH offensive lineman and associate athletic director. "It would be an interesting and exciting Christmas afternoon.
"It's really up to Conference USA more than anything to decide who goes where (from their conference)," Donovan added. "We'll say who we prefer, but the conference makes the final decision."
What controversy?: Statistically, UH backup quarterback Jason Whieldon had a great game Saturday, but it was against Army (0-12), and it's not enough to dislodge starter Tim Chang.
Whieldon completed 16 of 17 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed five times for 42 yards.
Coach June Jones said he plans to play Whieldon at some point Saturday against Alabama, but Chang is still No. 1. Whieldon came in during the second quarter for a series against Army.
"I would anticipate the same thing will happen," Jones said yesterday when asked how he will use his quarterbacks against the Crimson Tide (4-8).
Chang completed 25 of 43 passes for 356 yards and two TDs. But he also threw three interceptions before yielding to Whieldon again in the third quarter with UH leading 38-7 after his 2-yard touchdown pass to Chad Owens.
"Sometimes I lose my vision downfield and I don't see those guys popping out behinds ends and tackles," Chang said. "I wish I could take 'em back. Three throws."
Army coach John Mumford promised to pressure Chang. But the Hawaii offensive line that gave up three sacks in a loss the previous week at Nevada held firm, allowing no sacks.
"They came after us, they did their scheme," Chang said. "We found ways to get the ball to receivers. I know at times they rushed three, at times five or six. We just stuck to our game plan."
Owens for All-American?: He's small. He's not fast. He doesn't play for a big-name program.
But Hawaii receiver Chad Owens has put up some serious and consistent numbers this season; numbers that could put him in contention for second- or third-team All-American consideration as the season winds down. Playing on national television the last two regular-season games could help his cause.
After breaking his own school record with 14 catches Saturday night, Owens remains second in the nation with 8.4 receptions per game. He is also fourth in receiving yardage per game with 113.0.
"Chad is unbelievable," Chang said. "If you haven't watched a football game with Chad Owens in it you're missing out on something very special."
Receivers coach Ron Lee said Owens' suspension for two games for missing a team flight without authorization was good for him in the long run.
"Definitely. It was done for a reason. Chad's a bright guy and I think he realized the reason. I think it helped him," Lee said. "He's confident in the system and what he's supposed to do. A great understanding of defenses. And then what he does after the catch is terrific.
"He's getting the other guys inspired."
That includes true freshman Jason Rivers, who caught five passes for 117 yards Saturday, including a 59-yard touchdown.
"He still has a ways to go, but he's playing with more confidence," Lee said. "His leg (a season-long hamstring problem) is better."
Hawaii nominated Owens for WAC Offensive Player of the Week and kicker Nolan Miranda for special teams player of the week.
Miranda made his Warriors debut with a 32-yard field goal and eight successful PATs. He will continue to kick extra points and field goals within 40 yards, while Justin Ayat will handle kickoffs and long field goals, Jones said on his weekly TV show yesterday.
BCS influence: Hawaii's game against Alabama on Saturday could help determine the national championship -- or, at least who plays in the title game.
USC, which beat Hawaii 61-32 in September, will be No. 2 in today's Bowl Championship Series rankings. But Louisiana State could move past the Trojans for a berth in the national championship game at the Sugar Bowl.
USC wants Hawaii to beat Alabama, especially since LSU beat Alabama.
"That game alone could mean seven spots in the strength of schedule," BCS computer analyst Jerry Palm told the Los Angeles Daily News.
National leaders
Receiving Yards Per Game Gms Ct Yds YdsPg Fitzgerald, Pitt 11 84 1,569 142.64 McArthur, Cal 13 85 1,504 115.69 Newson, Oregon St. 10 68 1,145 114.50 Owens, Hawaii 9 76 1,017 113.00
Receptions Per Game Gms Ct Yds CtPg Moore, Toledo 11 96 1,081 8.7 Owens, Hawaii 9 76 1,017 8.4 Fitzgerald, Pitt 11 84 1,569 7.6 Welker, Texas Tech 12 90 992 7.5 R.Willams, Wash 12 89 1,109 7.4
Total offense Plays Yds YdsPg Texas Tech 1015 7,015 584.6 Bowling Green 876 5,645 513.2 Minnesota 894 6,017 501.4 Hawaii 837 5,376 488.7 Boise St. 847 5,361 487.4
Passing offense Att Cp Yds YdsPg Texas Tech 727 465 5,682 473.5 Hawaii 596 360 4,275 388.6 North Carolina St. 450 319 4,099 341.6 Boise St. 392 235 3,617 328.8 Miami (Ohio) 423 281 3,506 318.7
Hawaii Statistics
TEAM STATISTICS
RUSHING
HAWAII OPP FIRST DOWN 269 238 Rushing 54 102 Passing 193 114 Penalty 22 22 RUSHING YARDAGE 1101 1781 Yards gained rushing 1361 2163 Yards lost rushing 260 382 Rushing attempts 241 450 Average per rush 4.6 4.0 Average per game 100.1 161.9 Touchdowns rushing 14 17 PASSING YARDAGE 4275 2432 Att-Comp-Int 596-360-22 357-201-10 Average per pass 7.2 6.8 Average per catch 11.9 12.1 Average per game 388.6 221.1 Touchdowns passing 30 13 TOTAL OFFENSE 5376 4213 Total plays 837 807 Average per play 6.4 5.2 Average per game 488.7 383.0 KICK RETURNS: No-Yds 39-876 33-757 PUNT RETURNS: No-Yds 37-371 16-119 INT. RETURNS: No-Yds 10-49 22-247 FUMBLES-LOST 18-9 26-12 PENALTIES-YARDS 87-795 70-580 PUNTS-AVG 45-39.5 65-41.9 TIME OF POSSESSION/GAME 28:47 31:07 3RD-DOWN CONVERSIONS 64/153 64/169 4TH-DOWN CONVERSIONS 6/16 5/9
PASSING
G Att Net Avg TD Long West 11 54 328 6.1 4 25 Brewster 11 32 265 8.3 0 36 Keliikipi 10 37 247 6.7 6 28 Bass 8 39 234 6.0 2 18 Whieldon 11 16 42 2.6 0 16 Dickerson 7 3 25 8.3 0 24 Poumele 10 9 19 2.1 1 7 Owens 9 1 7 7.0 0 7 Rhode 1 1 5 5.0 0 5 Milne 10 1 -8 -8.0 0 0 Chang 10 35 -31 -0.9 1 12 TEAM 7 7 -48 -6.9 0 0 Total 11 241 1101 4.6 14 36
RECEIVING
G Att Comp Int Yds TD Long Chang 10 517 310 18 3576 23 72 Whieldon 11 73 47 3 647 6 54 Kapanui 9 2 1 0 43 1 43 Poumele 10 2 1 1 0 0 0 Rhode 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Akina 1 1 1 0 9 0 9 Total 11 596 360 22 4275 30 72
TOTAL OFFENSE
G Rec Yds Avg TD Long Owens 9 76 1017 13.4 8 62 Cockheran 9 44 647 14.7 6 54 Komine 10 37 467 12.6 3 72 Welch 10 37 415 11.2 4 33 Rivers 9 35 409 11.7 2 59 Brewster 11 27 280 10.4 2 44 Poumele 10 20 241 12.1 1 27 Keliikipi 10 20 154 7.7 1 24 West 11 15 116 7.7 1 32 Bass 8 12 129 10.8 0 27 Miyashiro 7 9 69 7.7 1 14 Herbert 10 8 111 13.9 0 31 Dickerson 7 8 57 7.1 0 19 Inferrera 4 6 49 8.2 0 15 Ilaoa 1 2 51 25.5 0 41 Stennis 4 2 21 10.5 0 23 Gilmore 11 1 43 43.0 1 43 Faavi 9 1 -1 -1.0 0 0 Total 11 360 4275 11.9 30 72
SCORING
G Plays Rush Pass Tot Avg Chang 10 552 -31 3576 3545 354.5 Whieldon 11 89 42 647 689 62.6 West 11 54 328 0 328 29.8 Brewster 11 32 265 0 265 24.1 Keliikipi 10 37 247 0 247 24.7 Bass 8 39 234 0 234 29.2 Kapanui 9 2 0 43 43 4.8 Dickerson 7 3 25 0 25 4.2 Poumele 10 11 19 0 19 1.9 Owens 9 1 7 0 7 0.8 Rhode 1 2 5 0 5 5.0 Milne 10 1 -8 0 -8 -0.8 TEAM 7 7 -48 0 -48 -6.9 Total 11 837 1101 4275 5376 488.7
PUNTING
TD FG 1XP 2XP Tot Ayat 0 14 30 0 72 Owens 8 0 0 0 48 Keliikipi 7 0 0 0 42 Cockheran 6 0 0 0 36 West 5 0 0 0 30 Welch 4 0 0 0 24 Komine 3 0 0 0 18 Brewster 2 0 0 0 12 Poumele 2 0 0 0 12 Rivers 2 0 0 0 12 Bass 2 0 0 0 12 Miranda 0 1 8 0 11 Miyashiro 1 0 0 0 6 Dickerson 1 0 0 0 6 Gilmore 1 0 0 0 6 Millhouse 1 0 0 0 6 Chang 1 0 0 0 6 LaBoy 1 0 0 0 6 Whieldon 0 0 0 1 2 Total 47 15 38 1 367
PUNT RETURNS
No. Yds Avg Long Milne 43 1705 39.7 55 Wright 2 73 36.5 40 Total 45 1778 39.5 55
KICK RETURNS
No. Yds Avg TD Long Herbert 19 217 11.4 0 58 Owens 13 122 9.4 0 24 Bass 3 23 7.7 0 19 Brewster 2 9 4.5 0 7 Total 37 371 10.0 0 58
TACKLES
No. Yds Avg TD Long Dickerson 17 408 24.0 1 100 West 12 310 25.8 0 48 Brewster 6 88 14.7 0 24 Moe 2 32 16.0 0 16 Owens 1 25 25.0 0 25 Blackburn 1 13 13.0 0 13 Total 39 876 22.5 1 100
MISC.
G UT AT Tot Curnan 11 55 35 90 Peters, H. 11 54 20 74 Kalilimoku 11 39 33 72 Elimimian 11 46 15 61 LaBoy 11 47 14 61 Alapa 10 31 23 54 Peters, L. 10 30 18 48 Gilmore 11 26 20 46 Sopoaga 8 19 22 41 Millhouse 11 30 5 35 Ala 9 22 11 33 Samuseva 11 13 20 33 Purcell 8 19 12 31 Manutai 10 11 7 18 Fuga 9 9 8 17 Kapanui 9 13 2 15 Jackson 10 7 3 10 Wright 9 7 3 10 Moe 10 4 5 9 Maafala 8 7 2 9 Hogan 9 7 1 8 Aguiar 9 5 2 7 Harley 10 5 2 7 Broadway 8 4 3 7 Manners 9 4 3 7 Noa 10 4 2 6 Akpan 9 3 0 3 Faavae 4 0 3 3 Ayat 11 3 0 3 Blackburn 7 1 1 2 Komine 10 2 0 2 Keliikipi 10 2 0 2 Alama-Francis 3 2 0 2 Kamakawiwoole 8 1 1 2 Cockheran 9 2 0 2 Faga 4 2 0 2 Hollingsworth 3 2 0 2 Patton 3 1 0 1 Rhode 1 1 0 1 Herbert 10 1 0 1 Stennis 4 1 0 1 Eaton 9 1 0 1 West 11 1 0 1 Satele 9 1 0 1 Poumele 10 1 0 1 Whieldon 11 1 0 1 Owens 9 1 0 1 Latusela 7 1 0 1 Hoohuli 1 1 0 1 Flanagan 1 0 1 1 Total 11 550 297 847
Sacks (No.-Yds.): Laboy, 11-83. Purcell, 3.5-22. H. Peters, 3-34. Sopoaga, 2-17. Curnan, 2-12. Maafala, 2-11. Alapa, 2-11. Fuga, 2-11. Gilmore, 2-10. Kalilimoku, 2-6. Akpan 1-12. Broadway 1-9. Ala 1-2. Total: 34.5-240.
Interceptions (No.-Yds.): Elimimian, 3-17. Gilmore, 3-0. Millhouse, 2-28. H. Peters, 1-4. Fuga, 1-0. Total: 10-49.
Fumbles (Total-Fumbles Forced-Fumbles Recovered): Fuga, 3-0-3. Laboy, 3-1-2. Alapa, 2-1-1. Gilmore, 2-1-1. Aguiar 2-0-2. Akpan 1-1-0. Kalilimoku, 1-1-0. Curnan 1-1-0. H. Peters 1-1-0. Sopoaga, 1-1-0. Millhouse, 1-1-0. Alama-Francis 1-0-1. L. Peters, 1-0-1. Wright, 1-0-1. Manners, 1-0-1. Total: 22-9-13.
Blocked kicks: Elimimian, L. Peters, Akpan, 1.
