Purdue brings pressure

PURDUE has long been considered the quarterback factory of the Big Ten, with a legacy including Mike Phipps, Mark Herrmann and Drew Brees.

Hawaii vs. Purdue Kickoff: 6:05 p.m TV: PPV, Dig. 255 Radio: 1420-AM The line: UH by 171/2

Lately though, the Boilermakers have been known as the "Den of Defensive Ends." Shaun Phillips (Chargers), Akin Ayodele (Cowboys), Roosevelt Colvin (Patriots), Rob Ninkovich (Saints), Chukie Nwokorie (Cardinals) have all gone on to the NFL.

Purdue's current best player is defensive end Anthony Spencer. Hawaii will need to keep him away from quarterback Colt Brennan if the nation's most productive offense is to carry the Warriors to their ninth straight win -- and if Brennan is to close in on David Klingler's single-season record of 54 touchdown passes (Brennan enters with 48).

Here's what to watch for as UH tries to beat its third Big Ten opponent in four tries since 2004.

When Purdue has the ball: Boilermakers quarterback Curtis Painter directs an offense somewhat similar to the four-receiver set of the Warriors, but Purdue uses a tight end and runs more. Purdue passes 56 percent of the time, while Hawaii throws on 68 percent of its downs.

In addition to tailbacks Kory Sheets and Jaycen Taylor, slotback Dorien Bryant is a threat to run. So is Painter, and coach Joe Tiller says he's streaky as a passer and durable.

"He has demonstrated that when he gets hot, he's very, very good," Tiller said. "He's physically strong. He hasn't been hurt this fall."

Left tackle Mike Otto has started all 48 games of his Purdue career. He will have to deal with UH right end Ikaika Alama-Francis. Alama-Francis, left end Melila Purcell and nose tackle Mike Lafaele dominated the line of scrimmage last week against San Jose State. Hawaii coach June Jones said Lafaele is the team's best player pound-for-pound, even though "he weighs 340."

"He doesn't get all the accolades, the defensive ends, all the other guys get tackles. But he takes up more blocks, he does more things for us defensively. He's probably the biggest unsung hero," Jones said.

Strong safety Jake Patek has emerged as a big playmaker in recent weeks. He forced a fumble and intercepted a pass last week.

Bryant, an all-purpose threat, has 20 career touchdowns, including 13 as a receiver.

When Hawaii has the ball: The nation's most prolific attack has added a new wrinkle in recent weeks, as Brennan has been running the option. He was the Warriors' leading rusher two weeks ago when he carried six times for 60 yards and a touchdown against LaTech. Normally, Brennan will toss the ball to Nate Ilaoa in the option. Ilaoa rushed for 100 yards last week, reaching the century mark for the third time this season.

Brennan, who has been intercepted just eight times in 419 passes, will try to avoid a during-the-game reunion with Purdue cornerback Terrell Vinson. Vinson has one pick this year, against Ball State.

UH slotback Davone Bess has returned to his freshman All-America form of last season the past two games, with 13 catches for 224 yards and four touchdowns. He has 13 touchdowns for the season, two behind Ilaoa.

Purdue's usual defense is a standard 4-3, but it might go with more defensive backs to shore up its leaky pass defense; The Boilermakers are 91st nationally against the pass.

The UH offfensive line has had the same five players starting every game this year.

Special teams: Much has been made about Hawaii kicker Dan Kelly's accuracy.The thing everyone seems to forget is he's been fine on field goals, making eight of nine, including two last week. In fact, UH's field-goal percentage is just a shade lower than that for extra points (89 to 91).

Jones said Bess will return at least some punts the last three games, but added that Myron Newberry didn't lose the job only because of a fumble that led to a San Jose State touchdown (Jones had planned for Bess to eventually take over).

Purdue is third in the nation in kickoff coverage, allowing just 15.3 yards per return. UH's Ross Dickerson in ninth in the country, averaging 28.8 yards on his runbacks.

The Boilermakers' Jared Armstrong averages 42.6 yards per punt and freshman Chad Summers is 8 of 19 on field goals.

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KEY MATCHUP
UH left tackle Tala Esera vs. Purdue DE Anthony Spencer

Of all the tremendous numbers the Hawaii offense has put up this year, this might be the most impressive: 3.18 tackles-for-loss allowed per game, No. 1 in the nation.

In previous years, the UH attack was considered a high-risk, high-yield proposition. The risk was lessened this year, with the incredible level of protection the offensive line of Tala Esera, Hercules Satele, Samson Satele, John Estes and Dane Uperesa -- plus backs Nate Ilaoa and Reagan Mauia -- has provided. Colt Brennan's ability to smell out a potential sack and scramble for a gain helps, too.

But Purdue defensive end Anthony Spencer is a serious threat to that sense of security.

The probable All-American leads the nation with 26.5 tackles-for-loss, and he averages a little less than a sack a game.

"He looks like a very good player," Esera said.

"He's a speed rusher."

Indiana slowed him down last week with a tackle-guard double team. The Warriors will probably use a combination of Esera and Ilaoa or Mauia to slow Spencer. Because Ilaoa is such a force as a playmaker, it will be Spencer and Esera, mano a mano, on at least some downs.

"He's got really good feet. He's aggressive and strong. A well-rounded player," Spencer said of Esera.

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