UH can’t afford to trip

LOGAN, Utah » Almost exactly 15 years ago, Utah State beat Fresno State here.

Hawaii at Utah State Kickoff: 10 a.m. TV: KFVE Radio: 1420-AM The line: Hawaii by 27

And that time -- unlike this year's version of the Bulldogs, which the Aggies upset four weeks ago for their only win -- it was a very good Fresno State team. It featured Trent Dilfer and Lorenzo Neal and finished 10-2.

Some are already calling this Hawaii team the best in school history. But there's still a lot more football to be played before its legacy is determined. It is unlikely the Warriors will stumble here. But, as Fresno State knows, anything can happen in the mountains in November.

Here's what to watch for as UH completes its road season this afternoon.

When Hawaii has the ball: Warriors quarterback Colt Brennan is beginning to garner recognition as one of the country's best players, with the asterisk of playing against a schedule perceived as weak. That stigma won't be erased this week, but Brennan can add to his gaudy stats that include a nation-leading 33 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also leads the country in passing efficiency and with a completion mark of 74 percent.

Brennan completed five touchdown passes to five different receivers in last week's 68-10 blowout of Idaho, and running back Nate Ilaoa scored once rushing and once receiving. Ilaoa is among the most versatile offensive threats in the league. He has 10 TDs, with eight coming on runs.

When USU freshman left defensive end Jon Overton is in the game, it will provide an interesting matchup since he goes up against UH senior right tackle Dane Uperesa. Both are Punahou graduates. Offensive line coach Dennis McKnight said Uperesa played his best game of the season last week against Idaho. Overton was Buffanblu teammates with Uperesa's brother Drew last year.

The Aggies have had problems tackling, so coach Brent Guy allocated three days last week and one this week to full contact.

When Utah State has the ball: Marcus Cross is the go-to man, and he's been fairly consistent, rushing for 60 or more yards in the past five games. He also has two 100-yard games.

"He's a real quick back," UH inside linebacker Adam Leonard said. "You can tell he's got great vision."

Freshman Riley Nelson has made a big difference at quarterback since taking over the starting spot in the Fresno State game and becoming the first USU quarterback to win his first start in 14 years. Kevin Robinson is the lone deep threat with the dismissal of Tony Pennyman.

UH left end Mel Purcell, who has been playing like a wild man lately, could be poised for another huge game. Aggies starting senior right tackle Malik Cin suffered a foot injury in practice Tuesday and is listed as questionable.

The Warriors will be short-handed on the defensive front, as backup ends Keala Watson, Renolds Fruean and Amani Purcell were all injured against Idaho and are not expected back until December at the earliest. Laupepa Letuli was moved over from the offensive line to help out at defensive end.

A.J. Martinez moves in at starting left cornerback in place of Gerard Lewis, who started the previous two games but did not perform well before being replaced by Martinez last week.

Special teams: UH's Ross Dickerson has won the last two WAC special teams player of the week awards. Don't expect him to get many -- if any -- kickoffs his way today for two reasons: 1) The Aggies won't score much, so they won't kick off much, and 2) When they do kick, it will unlikely be to Dickerson, who ran the opening one back 100 yards against Idaho.

USU used to be very good on special teams, but the loss of Pennyman (fifth nationally in kickoff returns last year) hurts the Aggies here, as opponents can focus on containing Robinson.

The Aggies also have not kicked a field goal all season.

Sophomore Dan Kelly regains his job of kicking PATs for Hawaii this week, along with field goals and kickoffs. Freshman Briton Forester did the extra points last week, but UH coach June Jones did not want to use kickers for two of the WAC-maximum 60 players on the road trip.

KEY MATCHUP
Hawaii vs. Mother Nature

As of last night it looked like the weather might not be too brutal for the visitors from the islands; a high of 55 degrees was expected for the 1 p.m. Mountain time kickoff, with a chance of rain in the morning and a slight possibility in the afternoon, adding up to a 40 percent likelihood of precipitation for the day.

But the skies can change quickly here, and the Warriors don't have the best history in inclement weather, losing at Boise and Reno in recent years in cold and wet conditions.

UH quarterback Colt Brennan -- who went to prep school in Boston and had a year at Colorado -- doesn't see a problem.

"I'm very acclimated to playing in cold weather. It has more of a football feeling in cold weather. But I've never played a game in the snow, so I'm hoping for cold but fair."

Even if the weather holds up, the Aggies hope to see Hawaii's five-game winning streak and WAC championship hopes disappear into the thin air of Logan's 4,775-foot elevation.

The Warriors plan to counter that element with a heavy rotation of players at many positions. Expect to see nine defensive linemen and at least six receivers shuttling in and out of the game.

---